Minerals Commission says most quarry sites inspected in Greater Accra lacked valid permits
- The Minerals Commission and NAIMOS inspected more than 10 quarry sites in two Greater Accra municipalities.
- Eastern Quarries Limited was reported to be the only inspected operator with valid documentation.
- Officials reportedly found trucks carrying laterite without required haulage permits and weighing documents.
Only one of more than 10 quarry sites inspected during a joint enforcement operation in the Greater Accra Region was able to produce valid operating documentation, according to the Minerals Commission.
The exercise was conducted by the Commission and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in two municipalities. It was led by the Minerals Commission’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer responsible for Small-Scale Mining and Industrial Minerals, Maxwell Yaw Akpene Klu.
3News reported that Eastern Quarries Limited was the sole operator among the sites visited that presented valid documents. Other operators were said to be working with licences that had expired, in some cases as far back as 2022.
Officials also inspected trucks carrying gravel and laterite. According to the report, many of the vehicles did not have required haulage permits or official weighing documents.
Firearms reported at Shai Osudoku site
At an initial quarry inspection in Shai Osudoku, the task force reportedly found five pump-action guns during a search of storage facilities. The report said some foreign nationals believed to be associated with the site left when the team arrived.
No person at the site claimed ownership of the firearms, while a police officer assigned there for security also denied knowledge of them, according to 3News. The Minerals Commission ordered the temporary closure of the site after operators were unable to produce valid documentation. Further investigations were expected.
Workers at some of the inspected sites also raised concerns about their conditions of work, the report said. They alleged that they worked from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week without insurance cover or adequate personal protective equipment.
Deadline for operators
Mr Klu said illegal quarrying and commercial sand-winning were costing the state revenue and contributing to environmental degradation. He said the Commission was not seeking to close legitimate businesses, but would require all operators to comply with applicable laws.
He gave operators with outstanding documentation until 6 August to regularise their records or face sanctions. The operation is part of ongoing efforts by the Minerals Commission, supported by NAIMOS, to address illegal quarrying and commercial sand-winning, improve regulatory compliance and protect public revenue.
