Federal Government Cancels 924 Inactive Mining Licenses to Enhance Industry Transparency
In a bid to bring greater transparency to Nigeria’s mining sector, the federal government has made the decision to cancel 924 inactive mining licenses across various sectors including exploration, mining, small-scale mining, and quarrying.
The announcement was made by Mr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, during a press conference held on Wednesday.
According to Mr. Alake, the revocation of these licenses was carried out in accordance with constitutional guidelines. Notification was provided to relevant parties through the official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, No. 227, which was issued on December 27, 2023.
Speaking on the matter, Mr. Alake stated, “The notice gave all concerned parties 30 days to regularize their status, including providing clarifications on the reasons for the dormancy of their licenses. As a result, while a total of 963 licensees were published and notified of the possibility of revocation, 39 were able to either commence operations immediately or provide satisfactory explanations for the challenges hindering their operations.”
The cancellation of these licenses underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s mining industry operates efficiently and transparently, benefiting both the government and stakeholders involved.
