Revocation of Mining Licenses: A Step Towards Responsible Sector Growth

The recent withdrawal of 1,633 mining licenses is part of an effort to clean up the mining sector, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, highlighted this during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Oladele Alake, in Abuja. He clarified that the revocation is not aimed at displacing people from their businesses and jobs but is rather focused on organizing the sector and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Idris explained that the government aims to encourage collaboration and the establishment of cooperative societies within the sector, with an emphasis on the need for regulation and responsible mining practices. He stated, “Gone are the days when anyone could simply take equipment, enter the bush, and start digging. What the Federal Government is saying is that you should organize yourselves, come together, form a cooperative society, and then, you can reapply for a license from the Minister of Solid Minerals.”

He assured that those making a positive impact on the solid mineral industry will receive the necessary support, while those causing harm to the economy will be the focus of regulatory measures. Idris also highlighted that new entrants to the sector may be eligible for waivers or incentives, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for the growth of the solid mineral industry.

In response, Alake expressed confidence in Idris’s ability to promote the solid mineral sector in order to attract investors. He affirmed Idris’s responsible leadership and expressed optimism in his capacity to achieve the government’s objectives for the sector.

The revocation of mining licenses is a step toward national benefit and economic growth. It aims to encourage responsible mining practices, collaboration, and compliance with regulations, reflecting a commitment to the development of the mining sector. The government’s stance envisions a regulated and sustainable solid mineral industry to drive President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for growth and development.