This post discusses the Nigeria Mining cadastre office, it describes the office, the departments and also the key functions.
The Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO) was established in 2007 with the responsibility for the Administration and Management of Mineral Titles in Nigeria in accordance with Section 5 (1) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 (the Act).
The Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office Provide an independent, efficient and transparent Mining Cadastre system which grants and administers mining licenses and permits in accordance with best international practices. Deliver service reliably, effectively and professionally using objective standards and procedures, in accordance with the provisions of the enabling law.
DEPARTMENTS OF NIGERIA MINING CADASTRE OFFICE
Registry
The registry department is one of the three (3) technical departments of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office that is shouldered with the responsibilities of record keeping. The department is the custodian of all mineral title documents, it is responsible for receiving and processing of all modifications on extent mineral tittle (except enlargement) these applications are renewal abandonment, surrender, consolidations, transfers responsible for generating defaulters list of annual service fee payment, Submission of periodic reports and recommending to the Director-General Mineral Title revocations, monitors and supervises revenue generation of the Agency, preparation of mineral blocks for bidding, gazette and any other duty assigned by the Director-General from time to time.
Concession
The Concession department is one of the technical departments of the NMCO. The department is responsible for, new Mineral Title applications (receiving, processing, granting or refusing the application, preparing and issuance of Licenses with specific reference to applications for new Mineral Titles, Permit and applications for the Extension of areas (Enlargement). Staff of the Department also engage in fieldwork, conducting delineation and demarcation of Mineral Title boundaries as may be necessary.
Legal Services
The Unit is responsible for representing the Agency in various courts and conducts the Legal check of documents in support of Mineral titles’ applications; e.g. Certificate of Incorporation Form; CAC 2, CAC 7; Attestation, amongst other things. Other duties of the Unit involve; Preparation of Contract Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as the case may be, Proffering Legal Advisory Services in accordance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and its Regulations. The unit is also involved in resolving disputes arising from mineral titles
READ: NIGERIAN MINING BUSINESS
Human Resources and Finance
The department is divided into two divisions of Administration and Finance. The Administration Division handles Appointment, Promotion and Discipline as well as other staff welfare services; Training, Housing, Pension, Servicom, Health and Sporting activities while the Finance and Accounts Division deals with the management of the financial resources of the office including the Budget Preparation and Revenue Collection.
Monitoring and Coordination
Monitoring and Coordination department of the MCO charged with the responsibility to manage conflicts based on the principle of fairness in line with the provisions of the Act and the Regulations before, during and after completion of mining Project.
The department carries out all investigations on their individual merits making use of all relevant and available resource without excluding MCO’s data for statutory confirmation of the affected Mineral Titles to accelerate the efficient delivery of the mandate of the department.
KEY FUNCTIONS
The Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO), in addition to any other functions prescribed by or under Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011 (the Regulations), performs the following:
Application Consideration
Consider applications for Mineral Titles and permits, issue, suspend and upon written approval of the Minister, revoke any Mineral Title;
Application Modifications
Receive and dispose of applications for modifications (renewal, transfer, relinquishment, consolidation, extension of areas etc.) of Mineral Titles;
General Register
Maintain a general register, which is used for all other types of applications where registration of the priority is not required;
Chronological record
Maintain a chronological record of all applications for Mineral Titles in a Priority Register, which is used specifically to ascertain the priority and registration of applications for exclusive rights on free areas;
Mining Gateway
Participation in local and international mining conferences to promote local and foreign investment in Non-Oil Mineral Sector, thereby improving revenue generation
Other Activities
Undertake such other activities reasonably necessary for the purpose of carrying out its duties and responsibilities under the provisions of the Act, and the Regulations
Electronic Mining Cadastre System
In furthering its objective to provide an independent, efficient, transparent, modern Mining Cadastre System, which grants and administers mining licenses and permits in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Regulations and consistent with best international practices; the Nigeria Mining Cadastre System has been upgraded and automated to an electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (eMC+) system. As part of the upgrade, the NMCO has established Zonal Offices in each of the six (6) geopolitical Zones of the Country.
The main functionality of the eMC+ enables fast and seamless online preparation, processing, recording, monitoring of procedures and granting of mineral rights in Nigeria.