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FG Revokes 924 Dormant Mining Licenses
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, under the Federal Government, has recently taken action to revoke a total of 924 dormant mineral licences.
This development was announced on Wednesday (today) by the Minister of Solid Development Minerals, Dele Alake, during a press conference held in Abuja.
Among the licences that have been revoked are 528 exploration licences, 20 mining leases, 101 quarry licences, and 273 small-scale mining licences. This decision follows a similar move made by the ministry last November, where 1,633 mineral titles were revoked from non-compliant mining companies.
During the press conference, Minister Alake emphasized the ministry’s commitment to cleaning up the solid minerals sector in order to enhance international competitiveness. He also called upon all stakeholders who have engaged in wrongful practices within this sector to change their ways.
In his address, Alake highlighted licence racketeering among sector players as a key factor in the ministry’s decision.
The Minister said: “In line with constitutional provisions, we ensured that adequate notice was given to the concerned parties through the official gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria no 227 which was published on December 27, 2023.
“This notice gave all concerned parties 30 days to regularise their status including clarifications on what caused the licence to be dormant.
“In view of the above, which shows our adherence with due process and fair consideration and in line with the standard policy of use it or lose it, I hereby revoke the 924 dormant licences with immediate effect.
“These include 528 exploration licences, 20 mining leases, 101 quarry licences and 273 small-scale mining licences.”
