MIIF extends monitoring visits to northern, middle belt regions

ACCRA, Ghana, July 11, 2025 – The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF or the Fund), Mrs. Justina Nelson, has expressed the Fund’s determination to ensure that all players in the mining and quarry sector honour their obligations to the state through the payment of royalties.

She described the proactive move by the Fund to visit all mining and quarry sites in the country to identify and engage operators as successful so far, indicating that the exercise will continue throughout the year as part of a broader stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at ensuring compliance with royalty payments to the state.

Mrs. Nelson made these remarks after the Business Development and Corporate Affairs and External Relations departments of the Fund completed their ongoing monitoring activities at various quarry and sand winning sites across the five northern regions of Ghana: Northern, North East, Upper East, Upper West, and Savannah, as well as selected sites within the middle belt regions, specifically Ashanti and Bono.

Site assessments

The monitoring team visited several sites, including the limestone mine owned by Diamond Cement. In total, the team assessed operations at two quarries in the Northern Region, four in the North East Region, and another four in the Upper East Region. Additionally, one quarry was visited in the Upper West Region and three more in the Savannah Region.

A key highlight of the visit was the discovery of two new quarry operations in the Upper West Region. One of these sites commenced production and sales in April 2025, while the other is still under construction, with plant installation underway.

The team also observed an encouraging development in the Upper East Region, where Upper Quarry, which had previously ceased operations, is now nearing full resumption of activities. Similarly, in the Upper West Region, three previously collapsed quarry sites are undergoing revitalisation.

In the middle belt, the MIIF team visited a total of 18 quarries in the Ashanti Region and seven in the Bono Region. These visits formed part of MIIF’s strategic mandate to ensure that all royalties due to the state from mineral income sources are duly and promptly paid.

Impact and compliance

Mrs. Nelson expressed satisfaction with how MIIF’s presence on the ground prompted immediate action at several sites, with quarry managers initiating arrangements to settle outstanding royalty payments to the state.

She noted that the collection of royalties enables the state to fund national development, particularly in mining areas of the country, allowing local communities to benefit from the mineral wealth on their land.

Collaborative approach

Mrs. Nelson used the opportunity to advise companies undertaking mining and quarry activities not to perceive MIIF’s site visits as actions meant to cause arrests or halt their operations, but rather as encouragement to undertake responsible mining, honour their obligations to the state, and address any challenges they face.

She noted that MIIF stands ready to ensure that all companies in the sector operate responsibly and urged them to leverage the Fund’s open-door policy to engage frequently.

“MIIF remains committed to its mission of securing and optimising Ghana’s mineral income through consistent stakeholder engagement and rigorous monitoring to uphold compliance and transparency in the sector,” Mrs. Nelson assured.