MINERAL ACT (MINERALS CONGESTED AREA DECLARATION)

An Act enables the government to declare areas as congested with mineral workings for special management. It targets small-scale miners and mining authorities by introducing rules for safety and environmental control. This manages conflicts and hazards in mining communities.

What Is This Policy?

An Act enabling the Federal Government to declare specific geographic areas as 'congested' with mineral workings, introducing special management rules for areas with intense small-scale mining activity.

Who Does It Target?

Small-scale miners in declared congested areas The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development State mining authorities Mining communities in affected areas

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Manage areas where intensive small-scale mining creates safety hazards, land access conflicts, and environmental challenges through a special regulatory declaration.

Key Features

Declaration Power: Government may declare a mineral-rich area as a congested area where special rules apply. Access Control: Access to mining in congested areas is regulated to prevent overcrowding and conflicts. Safety Measures: Special safety measures apply in congested mining areas. Environmental Management: Enhanced environmental management requirements in congested areas.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Largely superseded by the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 Coverage: Declared congested mineral areas Beneficiaries: Miners; communities; environment Funding: Federal Government

How to Access

Miners in congested areas: comply with special conditions applicable to the declared area Engage the Mining Cadastre Office for current artisanal mining regulations Application method: Artisanal mining: engage Mining Cadastre Office at https://www.miningcadastre.gov.ng

Important Terms

The NMMA 2007 is the current operative legislation for small-scale mining Congested area declarations may still apply to specific locations pending NMMA implementation Safety and environmental requirements in congested areas are strictly enforced

Official Resources

Website: https://www.minesandsteel.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development

Legal Framework

The Mineral Act (Minerals Congested Area Declaration) is recognized under Section 315 of the 1999 Constitution as an existing law. It operates alongside the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and the Land Use Act 1978. The current mining regulation framework is the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations 2011, which provides the operative standards for managing densely mined areas.