Illegal Mining: Government bans production of Changfang motors

Producers of Changfang machines in Ghana have been served with a directive from the government to halt the production of such materials with immediate effect.

This order from the government is part of measures aimed at curbing and clamping down on illegal mining activities, popularly called galamsey.

Mr George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who gave that order, cautioned that any person or group who would flout the directive would be arrested and severely dealt with according to the law.

The directive was given by the minister on Friday, August 20 when he inaugurated a 40-member Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) task force in Kumasi.

Chanfang motors are floating contraptions used by illegal mining operators to wash the ore during mining. The machines basically used for illegal mining in the country contribute to the high pollution of water bodies as illegal miners search for gold in the water bodies. Some of the machines are produced locally whiles others are imported.

Since 2017, when the government started a serious war against illegal mining thousands of equipment have been seized and burnt by the relevant authorities mandated to fight the menace.

It is expected that there will not be any new Changfang in the country after this ban on production as their importation have been outlawed earlier on. According to the minister, the task force that was inaugurated was expected to produce results immediately as its purpose is to start instant action. He also hinted that regional task forces will be set up to assist in the fight against illegal mining.

By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh

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