Unless South Africa starts exploring again and finds new ore deposits, the South African mining industry will ultimately grind to a halt and the big holes that have been dug could well become the preserve of illegal miners. But this does not need to be the case. This country remains highly prospective even 150 years after the discovery of diamonds here and 131 years after the discovery of gold. There is still more in the ground here than in any other country on earth. But, for some reason, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) does not see fit to up its game. If Cabinet does not force the DMR to do so, the blame must go to everyone in it as well. Needed is leadership and vision and the boost for the economy could be substantial.