Galamseyers In Fresh Trouble! -As Govt Bans Manufacture, Sale And Use Of Changfang Machines
The changfang machines banned in Ghana in Ghana with immediate effect.
Freeman Koryekpor 
The government of Ghana has placed a total ban on sale and use of changfang machines with immediate effect.
The current directive is part of measures the government is taking to clampdown on illegal small scale mining activities, popularly called galamsey.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor who gave that directive in a press statement stressed issued on Monday October 24, 2022 that any person or group who flout the directive would be arrested and severely dealt with according to the law.
He pointed out that it came out in the National Consultative Dialogue, held on 14th and 15th of April, 2021 that most of the devastation to water bodies and forests are caused by excavators used in illegal mining activities and the floating platform popularly referred to as “Changfang.
Mr Jinapor issued an ultimatum to all owners and operators of the mining excavators to within seven days register their excavators with the Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA) in jurisdiction where the excavators are located in the country.
"All owners,operators and/or users of excavators in the country shall, within seven days of this notice, excluding weekends and statutory holidays, register their excavators with the Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA) with jurisdiction over the area where the excavator is located," Mr. Jinapor stressed.
For the avoidance of doubt, the sector Minister re-emphasized that the deadline for the registration of all excavators in the country is by close of business on Wednesday November 2, 2022.
He mentioned that "an owner, operator and/or user of an excavator shall, at the time of registration, specify the purpose for which the excavator is being used or to be used and the area where the excavator is being used or will be used, as the case may be."
According to him, the MMDAs shall as part of the registration, record the name and particulars of the owner of the excavator;
the date the excavator was brought into the country; the registration number of the excavator; the chassis number of the excavator; the purposes for which the excavator was brought into the country.
Additionally, he noted that MMDAs shall record the the area where the excavator is expected to be used; the name and particulars of the current operator and/or user of the excavator; and any other particulars the MMDA may deem necessary
He pointed out that any excavator not registered in accordance with this directive, whether found at a mining site or any other operational site or elsewhere, shall be seized and the necessary legal steps taken to confiscate same to the State.
Mr Jinapor stated that Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, has been formally notified of these measures, and has directed all MMDAs to ensure strict compliance with same.
He said the notice is hereby given to the general public, and particularly owners, operators and/or users of excavators, as well as all MMDAs to ensure strict compliance with these directives.
He reassured the general public that his outfit will continue to take the necessary measures to protect our natural environment, particularly, water bodies, forests and lands, in a transparent and sustainable manner, anchored on integrity.
He pointed out that it was resolved by paragraph 13 of the Communique issued after the National Consultative Dialogue, held on 14th and 15th of April, 202 that “the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will take appropriate steps, legislative and/or executive action, as the case may be, to give effect to the set of measures arising from this Dialogue and approved by government.
He noted that it came out that most of the devastation to water bodies and forests are caused by excavators used in illegal mining activities and the floating platform popularly referred to as “Changfang.
Following this development, according to him, it was resolved that government should place a ban on the manufacture, sale, use and/or dealings in the floating platform known as “Changfang.
"Wheres by the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations – Tracking of Earthmoving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), the Minerals Commission is empowered to register and track all earthmoving and mining equipment used in mining operations; and
"Wheres government deems it expedient to register all excavators in the country to be able to determine those used for mining operations, for the purposes of L.I. 2404,
"NOW THEREFORE in exercise of the powers conferred on the Minister responsible for Mines by section 100(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the provisions of L.I. 2404, the following directives are issued," he explained in a press statement issued on on Monday October 24, 2022 and copied to Soireenews.com.
