The Federal Government has revoked 1,263 mineral licences, which will be removed from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal managed by the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office.

The licences include 584 exploration licences, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licences, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

According to the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Mineral Development,
Segun Tomori, the revocation will open up these areas for new investors, encouraging fresh applications and creating new opportunities in the sector.

Following the MCO’s recommendation, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake stated that enforcing the law to exclude speculators and unserious players would pave the way for committed investors and stimulate growth in the mining industry.

“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites is over. The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the licence because the law allows you to return the licence if you change your mind,” the minister said.

He cautioned that the revocation does not absolve licensees of their outstanding annual service fees, adding that the list of defaulters will be sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to ensure compliance or face legal consequences.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the licence application processes with speculative activities,” he added.

In his recommendation to the minister, Director-General of the MCO, Engr. Simon Nkom, revealed that 1,957 licensees initially defaulted when the MCO announced its intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.

He told the minister that the gazette was circulated to MCO offices across the country to raise awareness and give licensees 30 days to comply, in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and related regulations.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the licence application processes with speculative activities,” Nkom stated.

In his recommendation to the minister, MCO Director-General Engr. Simon Nkom revealed that 1,957 licensees were initially in default when the MCO announced its intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.