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Sector licencesMiningNigeria

Obtain a mineral title / mining licence

Acquire a mineral title from the Mining Cadastre Office (reconnaissance permit, exploration licence, small-scale or full mining lease, quarry lease): choose title → apply at MCO → pay fees → grant (first-come, first-served on area).

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
1agency
Category
Sector licencesMining
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

RequirementsRead the official requirementsMining Cadastre Office (MCO) · miningcadastre.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Choose the mineral title and confirm eligibility

    Agency
    Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)
    What is required
    Select the appropriate title (applicant must be a Nigerian citizen or a company incorporated in Nigeria). Types & fees: Reconnaissance Permit ₦300,000; Exploration Licence ₦600,000 (3 yrs, ≤200 km²); Small-Scale Mining Lease ₦300,000 (5 yrs, ≤3 km²); Mining Lease ₦3,000,000 (25 yrs, ≤50 km²); Quarry Lease ₦600,000; Water Use Permit ₦300,000.
    Documents
    CAC incorporation (for companies); proof of eligibility
    Typical timeline
    Selection stage
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Apply at the Mining Cadastre Office

    Agency
    Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)
    What is required
    Obtain and complete the application form and submit in triplicate with required documents. A Mining Lease additionally requires a pre-feasibility study and a minimum work programme signed by a COMEG-registered professional.
    Documents
    Completed form (x3); pre-feasibility study & COMEG-signed work programme (mining lease)
    Typical timeline
    Application stage
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Pay processing and service fees

    Agency
    Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)
    What is required
    Pay the title processing fee plus the annual service fee (₦31,500 per cadastral unit for the first time).
    Documents
    Evidence of fee payment
    Typical timeline
    On application
    Use for this step
  4. 04

    Grant of the mineral title

    Agency
    Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)
    What is required
    The MCO checks area availability (first-come, first-served) and grants the title.
    Documents
    Complete application
    Typical timeline
    ≤30 working days (permits/licences); ≤45 (leases)
    Use for this step
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