Following the launch of the Electronic Mining Cadastral Plus (eMC+), an innovative online platform aimed at fostering transparency in Nigeria’s mining sector, 7,310 mineral title applications have been officially recorded.

The Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO), while disclosing this in Abuja, pledged commitment to revoking inactive mining licences at a national scale.

The eMC+, inaugurated on November 2, 2022, by former Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has garnered significant attention, with over 3,030 companies engaging in the submission of mineral title applications across various categories, including mining, exploration, quarry, and small-scale mining licenses.

In a recent presentation at the 2023 ‘Nigeria Mining Week’ program, the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Nkom disclosed that 977 companies seamlessly applied online, while 2,053 companies sought assistance at the MCO, resulting in a cumulative 7,310 applications and modifications.
Notably, the eMC+ currently boasts a 38 per cent adoption rate within the mining sector.

Nkom underscored the pivotal role of transparency in licensing, emphasizing that failure to fulfill obligations, such as non-payment of fees and dormant activities, may prompt license revocation.

This aligns with the fundamental principle of ‘Use it or lose it.’ The Guardian further reported a substantial 48.92 per cent decrease in mineral titles issued between January and October 2022 compared to 2016.

Expressing optimism about the online platform’s potential impact, Nkom highlighted a noteworthy 40 per cent unaided application rate.

He emphasized the transformative power of the eMC+, asserting its capacity to attract vital investments to the mining sector.

Nkom stressed the crucial role of efficient title administration in ensuring sustainable development and encouraged stakeholders to embrace the evolving landscape of digital applications in the industry.