The National Concerned Association of Small-Scale Miners, Ghana (NCASMG) is appealing to President John Mahama to intervene and halt the ongoing destruction of excavators by the Forestry Commission.
The association has also called for an investigation into the rationale behind these actions, arguing that they are ineffective in addressing illegal mining.
NCASMG President Michael Kwadwo Peprah, in an interview with Adom News, expressed concerns over the repeated use of this method, stating that it has not yielded any positive results.
“This approach is counterproductive. Rather than destroying these valuable resources, they could be repurposed to fill mining pits and help restore degraded lands. This would be a more sustainable solution for the environment and the future of the mining industry,” he said.
Mr. Peprah emphasized that the destruction of excavators leaves many pits uncovered, posing risks to both the environment and the economy.
“The ongoing destruction of these machines will ultimately result in a loss of money for the country. If this is the strategy we are using to solve illegal mining, then we have already failed as a nation,” he cautioned.
He also criticized the Forestry Commission’s actions as a “lazy man’s approach” to tackling illegal mining, stressing that more sustainable solutions must be pursued.
Meanwhile, Mr. Peprah advised small-scale miners to take precautions by vacating their sites to protect their equipment from destruction.
“I urge all miners to safeguard their machinery to prevent it from being set on fire,” he added.
ALSO READ: