Ms Joyce R. Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of Chamber of Mines has called for assistance to small-scale mining operators to sustain their operations. She said they could be grouped and provided with the requisite water quality and environmental testing equipments, crushing machines and ore extractors for a fee on assigned plots of land. Ms. Aryee made the call when interacting with the media at Takoradi on Tuesday. She said it was difficult for any small scale operator to undertake exploration but they could be assisted when they were allocated explored areas and monitored to ensure compliance. Ms Aryee stressed that reclamation of mined out areas were difficult but with little efforts mined out areas could be converted into fish ponds while other sustainable investments should be provided for the communities. She regretted that siltation was destroying several water bodies in the country and efforts should be made to address the problem. Source: GNA