Mining office: 10,805 applications for mineral titles received since e-systems launch

The Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) says it has received 10,805 applications for new mineral titles and modifications since the launch of its electronic mining cadastre systems (eMC+) in 2022.

Obadiah Nkom, the director-general of MCO, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 59th annual international conference and exhibition of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) in Jos.

Nkom said the applications were received between 2022 and February 2024.

He said 4,306 were unassisted online transactions, representing 39.85 percent of all applications.

The director-general said the MCO is saddled with the responsibility of the administration and management of mineral titles and maintenance of cadastre registrar in accordance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.

He said the eMC+ is an innovation of the organisation conceived to facilitate the ease of doing business in the mining sector, increase transparency, efficiency, and service delivery, as well as to align with best practices.

Nkom said the benefits also include better services for operators, support and tracking of all transaction processing steps and improved compliance with mining regulations among other factors.

“The function of eMC+ is summed up as being able to create and maintain chronological records, but the most important is to ensure that mineral title administrations are managed and administered in the most transparent manner,” the  MCO boss said.

Nkom said most of the mining activities are artisanal and small-scale in nature, adding that the MCO has a department saddled with the responsibility of coordinating their activities.

“We have a department called artisanal and small department to be able to organise them in to cooperatives and give them extension services,” he said.

The MCO boss, who chaired the business session of Plateau government at the conference, said proper enlightenment is crucial to mitigate accidents at mining sites.

Nkom’s view was in reaction to a report that 36 people were recently killed in mining pits in the state.

He said in such situations, owners of legal mining sites with titles are expected to report the incidents to prevent them from recurring.

However, the mining office boss expressed concern that most operations are illegal and lack safe methods, stressing that the repositioning the mining sector requires the cooperation of all stakeholders for its success.