HomeAfricaNigeria: Govt. revokes 600 mining licences

Nigeria: Govt. revokes 600 mining licences

The Nigerian government has revoked 600 mining licences, for non-compliance with the relevant laws guiding mining operations in the country, according to local media reports on Tuesday.

The Private Vanguard newspaper quoted the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Musa Sada, as making the disclosure in the capital city of Abuja.

He spoke while receiving the 2013 Report and Audited Accounts of the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG).

Mr. Sada said it was no more business as usual with those companies not ready to abide by existing regulations of the government.

He commend the council for its meticulous work and for fulfilling the requirements of the law that established COMEG.

The minister advised any mining or quarry firm that was not operating in accordance with the Nigerian Minerals and Metals Act of 2007, Mining Regulations and any other extant mining laws, like that of the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, to quit the sector.

He also emphasized that there was serious need for the development of human capacity for maximal harnessing of mineral resources in the country.

“No matter how much mineral resources a country has, if it doesn’t have the right human skills, the country will not develop,” the minister added.

According to media reports, “Even though the figure of the foreign mining company that was affected was not released by the government, the sector is largely dominated by foreign firms.

“This is because the foreign companies seem to posses the required technology and technical know-how for commercial mining.”

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