The Federal Government has announced its intention to raise mining license fees and other associated charges as part of efforts to bolster the mining sector’s capacity and increase revenue generation.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake disclosed this during a consultative meeting with stakeholders in the mining industry.
He emphasized the need for the fee review to support ongoing reforms aimed at revitalizing the sector.
“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,” said Alake.
The minister highlighted the deployment of mining marshals to protect legitimate miners and combat illegal mining activities across the country as part of government efforts to sanitize the sector.
Stakeholders, including representatives from Women In Mining, Gemstone Miners Association, and top officials of the ministry, attended the meeting. They expressed support for the government’s initiatives but urged consideration of the challenges faced by miners in setting the new rates.
The Director-General of the Mining Cadastral Office, Engr. Obadiah Nkom, stated that the fees review committee recommended new rates to enhance the competitiveness of the mining sector’s fiscal regime.
President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Dele Ayanleke, commended the minister’s efforts in advancing the sector and called for affordable rates that would support miners.
The proposed fee increase comes amidst ongoing reforms and recent revocations of dormant mining licenses. The government assured affected operators of a 30-day window to address the situation.
