The Director of Strategy and Operations of extractive solutions provider, Commodity Monitor, Martha Amoako, has stated that the new mercury-free machine could turn away many illegal mining practices.This, she indicated is due to the proper and unharmful nature of the machine.
Speaking on the piloted machine that prevents the dangers toxic chemicals pose to mining communities, she stated that the machine is seen as key to operationalizing government’s community mining agenda, while overcoming the dangers of illegal mining.
“This is going to help because the government now has a community mining agenda and this needs technology to progress.”
Martha Amoako
Explaining the functions of the machine, which was first launched by Popo-Cee-Popo Global Investment Limited, she disclosed that the machine does the mining from start to finish with the main item needed being a licensed land approved for mining. She explained that the machine comes with all the needed props to help with unharmful and efficient mining.
“We give you the crusher to the melter and then to the upgraders, so that’s a complete set. All that you need is to have your land and have your things all in place, then the machine will be placed there to catch your gold for you. For the alluvial it also does the same but the alluvial doesn’t have the jaw crushing system. So, we use the scrubbing system. And it ranges from small scale mining to medium and also large scale.”
Martha Amoako
Embrace modern mining technology
Martha Amoako further emphasized the need to embrace modern mining technology that prevents the release of toxic mining materials into the environment at the detriment of host communities and the society as a whole.
Explaining the efficiency of the new mercury-free technology, she revealed that it will be able to ensure 90 percent minimum gold recovery and does not make use of too much water. The new technology, she said, further improves the mineral recovery rate of small-scale miners and will improve the turbidity rate of water bodies in the country.
She further indicated that her outfit has realized a gap in the small-scale mining and are focusing on that side to help them get the needed equipment to mine with. However, she averred that the small-scale miners who have the capacity can also come in for the medium scale equipment depending on their financial capacity and their operational size.
“We give a complete set, without leaving anything. In fact, we provide you with the props and all the replaceable equipment. We give out everything.”
Martha Amoako
Minerals Commission pilots mercury-free machine
Meanwhile, the Minerals Commission has piloted new mercury-free machine that prevents the dangers toxic chemicals pose to mining communities. The Minerals Commission has so far procured five of the new mercury-free machines to help remove all traces of mercury and enhance the potability of water bodies in the country.
The Commission says it is on course to procure about 100 more of the new mercury-free machines as government pursues its community mining agenda. The move is part of efforts to eliminate the use of mercury and other toxic chemicals in the mining sector by small scale miners.
