Nigeria Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses to Boost Mining Sector

Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Ministry revoked 1,263 mineral licenses. These will vanish from the Mining Cadastral Office’s online system.

The list includes 584 exploration permits, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

Why Licenses Got Canceled

Minister Dele Alake shared the news in Abuja. His aide, Segun Tomori, made the announcement. Companies failed to pay yearly fees, so their licenses were cut.

This adds to 3,794 licenses revoked earlier, including 619 for unpaid fees and 912 for doing nothing.

Helping New Investors

This move opens mining areas for new investors. Alake said holding unused licenses blocks serious players. “Keeping licenses without work is done,” he said. This should spark new applications and grow mining.

Keeping Rules Strict

Alake said paying fees shows you’re serious. Companies can return unused licenses, as the law allows. Debts from canceled licenses still stand. Defaulters’ names will go to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Open and Fair Process

Simon Nkom, head of the Mining Cadastral Office, found 1,957 defaulters. A notice went out on June 19, 2025, in the government’s Gazette.

Companies had 30 days to pay up. Some delays came from checking Remita payments. The notice reached all Mining Cadastral offices.

Fixing the Mining Sector

Nkom said this targets inactive and fake licenses. It’s part of reforms under President Tinubu. The aim is to protect investors and follow the 2007 Mining Act. Reforms are working, even with some pushback.

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