They no longer dream of making their fortune following an explosion at a privately-run gold mine on June 22, which has claimed at least 37 lives so far.

In a move to step up controls over the mining area, the local county government has shut down dozens of illegal mines since lastweekend and sent thousands of migrant miners home.

A source from local transport authority said that it had arranged extra trains and buses to help over 2,500 migrant workersleave daily. The local government had even sponsored the trip homefor those too poor to pay.

"I've come all the way to make some money," said Ding Daifu, a peasant farmer from neighboring Shaanxi province. Ding still did not like to leave.

Gold mining had proved a better and profitable job for Ding andhis fellow farmer workers, who could make over 1,000 yuan (120 U.S.dollars) a month. "Much more than we make as farmers back home," he said.

Fanzhi county produces 1,350 kilograms of gold a year. A few profit-hungry individuals have opened illegal gold mines, and useddynamite when a piece of gold ore is found.

Such primitive and indigenous ways of mining led to the June 22tragedy, according to an expert.

The closure of illegal mines means peace and quiet for local residents. "What we really want is to plant trees and grass in themining area," said a local farmer, "Anyway, the resource here is not inexhaustible. And we do not want to leave an empty mountain for our children."

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2002)