FG revokes 1,633 mining licences

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake has revealed that the federal government revoked 1,633 mineral titles over unpaid annual fees.

Alake, who stated this Tuesday at a press briefing in Abuja noted that the number of revoked licences this year is less than the 3,402 mineral titles revoked in 2022.

Alake said the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) 2007 requires mining operators to pay an annual service fee at a fixed rate but some firms are not complying with this law.

The minister noted that the amount required annually is as low as N1500 for cadastral units not more than 200 units.

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“In compliance with the law, the MCO on October 4, 2023, began the process of revoking 2,213 titles. These included 795 Exploration titles, 956 Small Scale Mining Licences, 364 Quarry licences and 98 Mining Leases. These were published in the Federal Government Gazette Number 178, Volume 110 of October 10, 2023, with the notice of revocation for defaulting in the payment of the Annual Service Fee.

“The mandatory 30 days expired on November 10, 2023. Only 580 titleholders responded by settling their indebtedness. With this development, the MCO recommended the revocation of 1, 633 mineral titles as follows: Exploration Licence, 536; Quarry Licence, 279; Small Scale Mining Licence, 787 and Mining Lease, 31.

“In line with the powers conferred on me by the NMMA 2007, Section 5 (a), I have approved the revocation of the 1,633 titles.” The minister explained.

He warned that anyone whose licences have been revoked should vacate mining sites to avoid arrest.