Federal Government Takes Action Against Defaulting Miners
The UK-authored article, “Federal Government Acts Against Non-Compliant Miners,” reports that the Nigerian government has revoked 1,633 mining licenses due to the failure of operators to pay required service fees. The announcement was made by Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, during a press conference held in Abuja.
This decision aligns with the Nigerian Mineral Mining Act (NMMA) of 2007, which mandates a 30-day notice period for defaulters to settle their payments. The Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) initiated the revocation process on October 4, 2023, including 795 exploration titles, 956 Small Scale Mining Licences, 364 Quarry licenses, and 98 Mining Leases. The details of the revocation were published in the federal government gazette, and the notice period expired on November 10, 2023, leading to the revocation of 1,633 mineral titles.
Dr. Alake reiterated the urgency for the previous holders of these titles to vacate the relevant cadastre immediately, as security agencies will work with the mines inspectorate of the ministry to apprehend any defaulter found on any of the revoked areas. He highlighted ongoing efforts to sanction operators defaulting in payment of royalties, taxes, and other obligations, indicating the action’s purpose to create opportunities for serious prospective investors in the sector.
In response to a question regarding illegal mining, Dr. Alake expressed determination to deal with the issue, affirming that the government would take decisive action against offenders. He also reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to cleansing the mining sector.
Regarding the issue of insecurity, the minister disclosed that plans for the establishment of a mines police force were in progress, and the military would conduct initial clearance operations to pave the way for their deployment.
