Dr. Jamal Tonzua, former Legal Adviser to Operation Vanguard, has expressed concerns over the burning of illegal mining equipment, warning that the practice contributes to water pollution.
In an interview on Ghana Tonight with Alfred Ocansey, Dr. Tonzua criticized the current approach to combating illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey, particularly the destruction of mining equipment.
He explained that much of the machinery involved is powered by diesel, and bur
“I have a problem with the kind of burning and destruction of some of these equipment. The point is that you would agree that they are powered by diesel. You are actually introducing diesel, some contning it releases harmful substances into nearby water bodies, further damaging the environment by contamination or pollution into the waterbody and it doesn’t help matters,” he stated on October 10.
Dr. Tonzua’s comments calls into question the environmental impact of current anti-galamsey efforts by government. He therefore urged a shift towards more sustainable solutions.
