The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association says the government must move into enforcement of the ban on importation and manufacturing of ‘Chanfan’ machines in mining communities.
Chairman of the Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, believes early enforcement of the ban is key to saving the country’s water bodies.
“People manufacturing the machines should be arrested immediately since it is now bannned by law. The importation, as well, we should make sure that people don’t find other means of bringing them
In,” he emphasised.
The Environmental Protection Authority, in a recent press statement, observed that though the sale and fabrication of the machine provides a source of livelihood, its ban is needed to protect river bodies in the country.
The “Chanfan” boats which float on water are made of barrels welded together with steels and wooden boards to make a platform.
On the platforms, the Chanfan engines are mounted to power the boats.
The boats known as “tototo” float on river bodies. This is where illegal miners dredge the water bodies for gold.
Sometimes, the boats have simple washing points on which the dug sand is washed with the residue being disposed of in the water.
This has caused a lot of water bodies to lose their quality.
According to Mr. Peprah the boats remain the only means persons perpetuate the illegality.
“Without this machine, I don’t think people will be dredging the rivers. The cost involved in getting the water dredging machines are very high. But the Chanfan machine is a cheaper alternative,” he added.
Already, efforts are being made by the government and the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association to halt the illegality.
But with easy access to the machines, the boats are easily built for the miners to make a return to the river bodies.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association says it is bent on tracking down persons perpetrating illegalities on the river bodies.
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