Operators seek 10-year quarry leases as Minerals Commission engages stakeholders

Commercial quarry operators in Ghana have called for an extension of quarry lease terms from five to ten years to provide greater investment certainty and support the long-term development of the country’s industrial minerals sector.

The proposal emerged during a high-level meeting between the Minerals Commission and the Commercial Quarry Operators Association, held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Commission’s Head Office.

The engagement formed part of efforts to address operational challenges in the quarry sub-sector and strengthen regulatory compliance.

Participants at the meeting stressed that extending lease durations would enable operators to undertake longer-term planning, attract investment, and improve operational efficiency within the industry.

Welcoming participants, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission in charge of Small-Scale Mining and Industrial Minerals, Mr Maxwell Yao Akpene Klu, underscored the importance of collaboration between regulators and industry players to advance the growth and sustainability of the sector.

During the discussions, the Director of Industrial Minerals at the Commission, Mr Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, raised concerns about the integrity of production data and operational safety within the quarrying industry. He urged operators to submit accurate production returns and ensure timely licence renewals to enhance regulatory oversight.

Mr Mwinbelle also identified encroachment as a major challenge affecting quarry operations, noting that several sites have become inactive due to land disputes, community litigation and health and safety concerns.

The Commercial Quarry Operators Association outlined a number of additional challenges affecting the sector, including land access, regulatory coordination and governance within the industry.

On land issues, operators called for granite deposits across the country to be officially demarcated and reserved exclusively for quarry activities. They also urged the Commission to issue public notices directing unauthorized settlers to vacate such areas.

Operators further expressed concern over rising land prices set by landowners and proposed that government consider compulsory acquisition of buffer zones for quarry operations, with companies paying the state for the use of those areas over the lifespan of their quarries.

Beyond the proposed lease extension, the Association recommended the introduction of a minimum floor price for quarry products to ensure market stability and prevent unfair competition among operators.

They also advocated the transformation of the Association into a national body to strengthen self-regulation, peer accountability and compliance within the industry. According to the operators, infractions such as misuse of waybills and failure to submit production returns have contributed to under-reporting and revenue leakages.

The Association additionally called for stricter enforcement of local content regulations to ensure that quarry operations remain largely reserved for Ghanaian participation, citing concerns about unauthorized foreign involvement in the sub-sector.

On community relations, operators raised concerns that some traditional leaders are not receiving their due royalties from the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), a situation they say has contributed to mistrust and tensions between mining companies and host communities.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Mwinbelle commended the Association for presenting a unified set of proposals and assured participants of the Commission’s commitment to addressing encroachment and other operational bottlenecks affecting the industry.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to expedite pending licences, address outstanding litigation issues and pursue policy reforms—including the proposed lease extension—to create a more structured and sustainable quarrying sector in Ghana.