The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has revoked 1,633 minerals titles previously given to non-complying mining companies.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced this during a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said the licenses of these mineral title holders were revoked due to failure to pay mandatory annual service fees of N1,500 per cadastral unit.
He said, “The Mining Cadastre Office has 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.”
In a related development, the minister said sub-national governments must position itself to contribute significantly to the Federal Government’s quest to make solid minerals, a major revenue earner for the nation.
The minister stated this when he received Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in his office on Monday in Abuja.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, said the Minister reiterated his commitment to partner with states to ensure maximum benefits for host communities and accruable revenue for the government.
He assured, “The Federal Government is committed to partnering with states on the reform of the mining sector to ensure maximum benefits for host communities and accruable revenue for government.”
