Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), has reaffirmed the institution's commitment to tackling the high pollution levels in Ghana's water bodies caused by illegal mining activities.This is a significant issue, as mining operations can severely impact water quality, modifying landscapes and leading to long-term pollution.UMaT has been at the forefront of finding solutions, having developed a technology to clean polluted water bodies.
This innovation has the potential to make a substantial difference in mitigating the effects of illegal mining on water resources.He mentioned that the University has been actively training thousands of small-scale miners on responsible mining practices since the ban on illegal mining, but whether they go back and practice what they learned is another matter.According to him, the revamping of small-scale mining sector requires a little bit of education, engagement, engineering and most of all attitudinal change, not only from the miners but also from those who benefit from the activities.He said their training programs focus on promoting sustainable artisanal and small-scale mining practices.
He said key points of their training was the three pond purification system which was adopted by the Minerals Commission."Consider a small-scale miner working near a stream or river.
They can dig three ponds on their concession.