By Gabriel Ewepu,
THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, Thursday, disclosed plans to have review of mining licences in the solid minerals sector.
Alake announced this during a critical stakeholders meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where he also said to ensure that the mining environment is made conducive for operators, the Federal Government will not relent to putting in place stringent policies to take away difficulties in their operations.
Meanwhile, according to the Minister, it became necessary to review mining licences in order to boost investors’ confidence and galvanize the sector along with other impact current reforms are having positively in the sector.
He said: “For us to continue to ensure that we secure the mining environment and keep putting in place measures that will ease the operational difficulties and challenges that confront miners, we need to review the rates of mining licenses and other sundry fees.
“We felt that we can’t just do this without letting you know because invariably, you are the players in the industry.”
While speaking about the recent revocation of dormant mining licences, he (Alake) maintained that the government diligently followed the due process of extant laws in the sector before the revocation of dormant mining licences, whereby a 30-day restitution window is open to those affected.
It will be recalled that the Minister announced a restitution fee of N10 million, N7.5 million, N5 million and N2.5 million for Mining Leases, Small Scale Mining Licenses (SSML), Exploration License (EL) and Quarrying License respectively including those earlier revoked for default in payment of annual service fees.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, Engr Obadiah Nkom, who is the Chairman of mining license fees review committee, explained reasons the committee came up with recommendation on new rates that are affordable, which is basically to bring about the expected competitiveness of the fiscal regime of the mining sector in comparison with regional and global standards.
The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, Dele Ayanleke, on behalf of the stakeholders, commended the Minister for his efforts to put the mining sector on global front burner.
Ayanleke also expressed support for the ongoing efforts, reforms and plans to review fees payable by operators, therefore, appealed to the Minister to consider challenges faced by miners and ensure the rates are affordable.
Stakeholders In attendance include President of Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, Women In Mining, WIN, Gemstone Miners Association, GMA, top officials of the Ministry, and a host of others.