FG Issues 499 Licenses for Solid Minerals Trading in Nigeria

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has approved about 499 licences for the buying and selling of solid minerals in Nigeria in 2023.

This development was revealed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, during his address as the keynote speaker at the BusinessDay Solid Minerals Conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

A notable trend observed was the high demand for lithium, with 146 of the licences being allocated for its trade, surpassing other minerals such as gold (91 licenses), tin (46), and coal (32). The list also included tantalite, iron ore, kaolin, feldspar, beryl, barite, columbite, mica, and aquamarine licenses.

He said, “The Ministry continues to facilitate the processing of applications for permits to refine minerals and to process and purchase. Last year, no fewer than 499 licenses were granted to applicants involved in the business of purchasing and sales of minerals.

“Predictably, applications for the purchase and sale of Lithium topped the list with 146 licences, followed by Gold, 91; Tin, 46 and Coal, 32. Other minerals for which licences were granted include Tantalite, Iron Ore, Kaolin, Feldspar, Beryl, baryte, Columbite, Mica and Aquamarine.”

He also disclosed that the Federal Government plans to hold about 25% of the N1 billion share capital of Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation.

He added that the process of creating the legislation for the institution has begun.

Alake also said that the Nigerian citizens will by public shares hold 25% and private investors can acquire up to 10% of the remaining shares.

He said, “Central to our efforts to reposition the sector is the establishment of a private-sector driven, Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation. This is as the minister noted that the process of creating the legislation for the institution has begun. On February 12 and 13, 2024, the Solid Minerals Committee of the House of Representatives will hold the first policy dialogue on the proposed law to create the corporation.

“In working with the legislature to establish the legal and legitimate foundation for the institution, our resolve to ensure that a share structure in line with a private sector- led strategy in which the Federal Government will hold not more than 25 per cent, the Nigerian citizens will, by public shares hold 25 per cent and private investors, each with a maximum of 10 per cent of the shares of the N1billion share capital, will be achieved.”

He noted that the government has learnt from the pitfalls of the defunct Nigerian Mining Corporation, and will ensure that the new company operates more sustainably.

He further noted that the campaign against illegal mining and call on artisanal miners to form co-operatives and get government recognition has been fruitful.

Alake disclosed there are 2,329 registered artisanal miners’ co-operatives in the country, with about 123 co-operatives registered in 2023.

The minister said, “It is significant that 77 of 123 opted for registration following my appeal to them to join hands with the Federal Government. The Ministry provides extension services to these co-operatives by improving their bookkeeping skills and drilling techniques. I wish to further urge artisanal miners to come together and register as co-operatives.

“To ease the operations of this sub-sector, the Ministry has licensed 986 buying centres across the 36 states of the Federation. Plateau, for obvious reasons of its long mining history, has 315 centres followed by Federal Capital Territory, 224 and Lagos, 108.”

Alake added that efforts are ongoing to improve the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act 2007.