Machines roll in to give miners something to smile about

ALLUVIAL miners in Bulolo aim to improve their mining activities with heavy machinery to add economic value to their operations.
The Morobe Goldfield Small Scale Miner’s Association executive chairman Westy Awiong said the members had moved away from traditional alluvial mining methods.
The mechanised operations involve the use of excavators and screen plants to process gravels.
The excavators are either leased or hired to do the dredging along the sandbanks and mountain sides.
Awiong said there were five active mechanised miners among about 170 registered alluvial miners.