Explore the National Mining Registry
Access real-time geospatial data on existing mineral titles, free areas, and restricted zones across the Nigerian federation.
map Launch Full-Screen Cadastre MapStreamlining Mineral Title Administration
The Mining Cadastre Office provides a robust framework for securing and managing mineral rights across Nigeria with transparency and professional rigor.
Our Portfolio
Comprehensive Mineral Titles
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MOST APPLIED
Exploration Licence (EL)
Granted for a period of 3 years and renewable for 2 further periods of 2 years each. Covers exploration activities for all minerals within the specified area.
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Eligibility: Registered Nigerian Companies
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Maximum Area: 200 Cadastral Units (CU)
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Mining Lease (ML)
Duration of 25 years, renewable. Requires prior exploration and environmental impact assessment (EIA).
KEY REQUIREMENT
Pre-feasibility report submission
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Small Scale Mining Lease (SSML)
Specifically for artisanal and small-scale miners. 5 years duration, renewable.
ELIGIBILITY
Cooperative Societies or Entities
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Quarry Lease (QL)
For the extraction of quarry materials like granite, gravel, and sand. 5 years duration.
MAX AREA
5 Cadastral Units (CU)
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Water Use Permit (WUP)
Auxiliary permit for mining-related water operations. Co-terminous with primary title.
SCOPE
Mining operations only
Application Journey
Our digitized process ensures your application is processed with maximum speed and transparency.
01
Submit Online
Complete forms and upload documents via the eMC+ Portal.
02
Verification
MCO technical team reviews documents for compliance.
03
Payment
Settle application and processing fees via Remita.
04
Title Grant
Successful titles are gazetted and certificates issued.
Core Service
Administration & Management of Mineral Titles
The mandate of the Office is Administration and Management of Mineral Titles and Maintenance of Cadastre Registers.
To deliver on this mandate, we:
1
Receive, consider and dispose applications for mineral titles and permits and application for the transfer, renewal, modification and relinquishment of mineral titles or extension of areas;
2
Grant, issue, suspend and (with the approval of the Minister) revoke mineral title;
3
Maintain a chronological record of all applications for mineral titles in the priority register and General Register and Maintain the Cadastral Registers;
4
Create and Maintain a database of all mineral titles and applications;
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Create and maintain a cartographic database of all mineral titles and applications both paper and electronic formats (the cadastral maps).
License Categories
Exploration License
Mining Lease
Quarry Lease
Small Scale Mining Lease
Reconnaissance Permit
Water Use Permit
Operating Principles
Guiding principles that ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency in mineral title administration.
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Priority based on First Come First Serve
Applications are processed in the order they are received
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Use it or lose it
Licensed activity must be carried out within specified timeframes
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Transparent and non-discretionary procedures
Clear, consistent rules applied equally to all applicants
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Well-defined institutional responsibilities
Clear roles and accountability within the organization
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Clear, stable, legal, and regulatory frameworks
Grounded in the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007
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Conducive macro-economic environment
Supporting mining investment and sector development
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Capacity Building
The Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office approaches capacity building through three key areas: The People, The Organization and The Work Environment. This helps to drive constant improvements in efficiency and ensures sustainability.
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Needs assessment to ensure accurate training requirements are known
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Staff welfare to ensure individuals can easily adapt to fast changing conditions
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Evaluation of capacity responses to ensure methods remain effective
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Effective policy awareness and monitoring to ensure organizational compliance
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Corporate and social events to promote social connect of staff members
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Training and retraining to strengthen leadership, skills, instincts, abilities and work resources
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Conflict Resolution
Administering and managing mineral titles responsibility come, not only with prospects, but with burdens of managing conflicts which may arise between stakeholders or with the MCO.
Less than 1% litigation outcome
Our approach is hinged on engagement, empathy, trust building, and non-emotional conversation.
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Engagement
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Affiliation
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Empathy
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Trust Building
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Ownership of Actions
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Non-Emotional Conversation
Departments & Units
The Agency has a Director-General/CEO as its head with five departments headed by Directors.
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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 title (except enlargement).
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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 Licences). Staff also engage in fieldwork, conducting delineation and demarcation of Mineral Title boundaries.
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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. Other duties include Preparation of Contract Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Proffering Legal Advisory Services.
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Human Resources and Finance
The department is divided into two divisions of Administration and Finance. Administration handles Appointment, Promotion and Discipline as well as staff welfare services, while Finance and Accounts deals with Budget Preparation and Revenue Collection.
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Monitoring and Coordination
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.
Support Units
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ICT Unit
Manages the use of computers, software, network, and ICT infrastructures for the efficient running of the NMCO. Also in charge of maintaining the website and portal of the agency.
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Internal Audit Unit
Ensures all the accounting transactions of the office are audited and conform to acceptable norms.
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Press/Public Relations Unit
Responsible for projecting positive image and bringing to the public domain events, programmes and activities of the Agency. Manages communication strategy and media relations.
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Protocol Unit
Responsible for coordinating activities in the event of any occasion.
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Research, Development and Sustainability Unit
Enhances the capacity of the office through creative and systematic work process guided by sustainability principles.
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Procurement Unit
Handles the implementation of the PPA 2007 to achieve open, fair, efficient and transparent public procurement.
Zonal Offices
In July 2020, the Six (6) Zonal Mining Cadastre offices were established in the six (6) Geo-Political Zones. Each Zonal office is headed by a Senior staff.
North Central
Jos Zonal Office
No. 2 Club Road, Jos, Plateau
Phone: 08031920997
Email: joszonaloffice@miningcadastre.gov.ng
South-East
Enugu Zonal Office
No. 2 Leak Avenue Opposite State CID, Enugu, GRA, Enugu State.
Phone: 08053480645
Email: enuguzonaloffice@miningcadastre.gov.ng
South-South
Benin Zonal Office
Federal Secretariat Complex, Aduwawa, Benin City, Edo State.
Phone: 09097603553
Email: beninzonaloffice@miningcadastre.gov.ng
North West
Kaduna Zonal Office
1st Floor National Steel Raw Material Exploration Agency No. 18, Rabbah Road, Malali Kaduna, Kaduna State
Phone: 08033976886
Email: kadunazonaloffice@miningcadastre.gov.ng
North East
Maiduguri Zonal Office
No. 3 Lake Chad Nursery Street, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Maiduguri, Borno State.
Phone: 08038413071
Email: maidugurizonaloffice@miningcadastre.gov.ng
South-West
Ibadan Zonal Office
Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Opposite NNPC Mega Station, Ojo Lagos Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Phone: 08063445328
Email: ibadanzonal@miningcadastregov.org.com
Need help choosing a title?
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