A Chinese-owned warehouse, FEI FUCAI, located at Anwia Nkwantah in the Ashanti Region, that was shut down by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for allegedly manufacturing “changfan” machines, is back in operation, JoyNews checks have uncovered.
The facility was closed earlier this year after EPA officials, acting on intelligence, discovered partially assembled changfan components, metal moulds and welding stations believed to be used in the production of the machines.
“The company has been operating under the guise of selling spare parts, but investigations revealed it was actively fabricating Chanfan machines,” an EPA enforcement officer said.
The EPA said the activities posed significant environmental risks and potentially aided the galamsey operations.
“This directly contravenes the government’s directive and poses a serious environmental threat,” said the EPA during a clampdown.
However, JoyNews’ checks reveal the warehouse is fully operational again, with machinery running and workers busily engaged on the shop floor.
Neighbours told JoyNews the facility resumed operations a week after the initial shutdown.
“We were shocked to see them back. One day, the place was sealed with EPA stickers; the next, the machines were humming again,” a resident who lives close to the warehouse said on condition of anonymity, citing fear of intimidation.
It remains unclear how the warehouse reopened without an official EPA notice of compliance or clearance.
Attempts by JoyNews to get reactions from the regional EPA officers have been unsuccessful.
Security analysts say the development raises serious concerns about enforcement lapses in the fight against illegal mining.
The changfan, a heavy-duty water-pumping and gold-washing machine, has been central to the destruction of river bodies by galamsey operators.
Experts fear that allowing such fabrication centers to operate fuels the supply chain that sustains illegal mining activities across the country.
A JoyNews team observed active operations at the premises during the visit.
But it remains unclear whether the alleged production of changfan machines has resumed or the warehouse has switched to other forms of metal fabrication.
JoyNews will continue monitoring developments as pressure mounts for accountability in the ongoing fight against illegal mining.