NMCO reports increase in license applications with Electronic Mining Cadastre System Plus
The Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO) has seen a rise in mining license applications following the launch of its Electronic Mining Cadastre System Plus (eMC+) in 2022.
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the NMCO, Mr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, said the eMC+ system has improved the application process, resulting in an increase in activity.
Speaking at the 59th Annual International Conference and Exhibition hosted by the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) in Jos, Mr. Nkom disclosed that the NMCO has received a total of 15,412 mineral title and modification applications since the system was introduced.
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“The system was unveiled on the 1st of November, 2022,from then until the 31st of February, 2024, we have received 10,805 new applications, both through MCO-assisted online submissions and independent online submissions.” Nkom stated.
He highlighted the successful adoption of the unassisted online system, which has seen a 39.85% stakeholder adoption rate.
Nkom emphasized the importance of organizing sensitization workshops to enhance performance in the mining sector.
The Director-General explained that the NMCO is saddled with the responsibility of administering and managing mineral titles, maintaining the cadastre register, all in accordance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007.
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He said the eMC+ is an innovation conceived by the organization to facilitate ease of doing business in the mining sector. It aims to increase transparency, efficiency, and service delivery, while aligning with best practices.
According to him, the benefits also include better services for operators, support and tracking of all transaction processing steps, and improved compliance with mining regulations.
“The function of eMC+ can be summed up as being able to create and maintain chronological records,but the most important aspect is to ensure that mineral title administrations are managed and administered in the most transparent manner.” He noted.
Nkom acknowledged that most mining activities in Nigeria are artisanal and small-scale in nature.
“We have a department called the Artisanal and Small-Scale Department, to organize artisanal miners into cooperatives and provide them with extension services.”he explained.