Quarry operators threaten nationwide shutdown over encroachment

The Commercial Quarry Operators Association (CoQOA) has warned of the possible shutdown of quarry sites across the country if urgent steps are not taken by state agencies to deal with encroachment activities on their members’ concessions.

The association said the impending nationwide suspension of quarry operations was meant to protect lives, equipment, and lawful concessions from further abuse by encroachers who continue to invade their concessions with impunity.

The Executive Secretary of CoQOA, Georgina Dziwornu, who stated this, said it was worrying that although quarry operators were engaged in legal business per the law, estate developers and private individuals continued to invade their concessions while state regulators watched on.

Ms Dziwornu stressed the need for mandated state agencies, including the ministries of Lands and Natural Resources, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI); the Minerals Commission; and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to act swiftly to save the quarry sector from imminent collapse.

“We will not allow encroachment, threats, and misinformation to erode the integrity of Ghana’s quarry industry,” she stressed.

Context

Over the years, there have been community agitations over safety concerns at quarry activities.

The real danger lies in the rapid encroachment into designated exclusion zones, with structures erected within 10 to 20 meters of active blasting sites, in blatant violation of Regulation 176 of the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177). 

This regulation mandates a minimum 500-meter safety buffer between blasting activities and human settlements.

However, estate developers and private individuals have violated this rule and put up residential facilities very close to the quarry sites — a development that has caused many companies to fold up. 

These violations not only endanger lives but have restricted the ability of compliant quarry companies to operate safely, despite adherence to District Assembly-approved development schemes and environmental regulations.

The CoQOA executive secretary said the encroachment activities were particularly prevalent in areas such as Buoho, Ablekuma, Nsawam, and Budumburam.

“These areas are experiencing rising threats to public safety and national development due to unauthorised occupation of quarry lands and buffer zones,” she said.

She said the unauthorised settlers breaching legally protected zones were not only threatening the operations of quarry companies but that the lives of people were at risk.

“Some of these encroachers have gone further to issue threats, incite unrest, and manipulate public sentiment through the media, creating a hostile environment for law-abiding operators and their workers.” She said.

Ms Dziwornu said CoQOA had ensured that its members operated under strict compliance with environmental permits, blasting safety guidelines, and stakeholder engagement protocols. 

Prompt action

To avert the looming calamity in the quarry sector, she called for the immediate demolition of all unauthorised structures within protected buffer zones per the Local Government Act, 2016, Act 936.

She also called for the prosecution of individuals and officials involved in the unlawful sale and occupation of quarry lands by encroachers.

Additionally, she stressed the need for all public utility services, such as water and electricity, to be disconnected from illegal settlers in the concession areas.

“We also call for expedited legal action on all pending encroachment-related cases before the courts,” she said. 

 Background
The quarry sector is a multi-million-dollar industry with the capacity to create thousands of jobs along the value chain.

Key infrastructure projects such as schools, hospitals, bridges, roads, ports, and houses owe their existence to that sector.

It is estimated that about 60 tonnes of granite are required to construct one housing unit.

This means that 120 million tonnes of granite are needed to meet the construction needs of the two million housing units.