NATIONAL MINING ENVIRONMENT COMPLIANCE STRATEGY

What Is This Policy?

Nigeria's National Mining Environmental Compliance Strategy is the regulatory and enforcement framework governing environmental standards across all stages of solid mineral exploration, extraction, and mine closure — administered by the Mines Environmental Compliance Department (MECD) of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MMSD).

Who Does It Target?

All licensed mining operators — from large-scale commercial mines to artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) Mineral buying centres and mineral title holders Host communities, state and local governments affected by mining activity Environmental regulators and compliance officers across Nigeria's 36 states and FCT

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Ensure that all mining activities in Nigeria comply with approved Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and environmental management plans Minimise environmental degradation, land damage, water contamination, and community health impacts from mining Formalise artisanal and small-scale mining to bring it under environmental oversight Enforce mine closure and rehabilitation obligations to restore affected lands

Key Features

EIA Requirement: All mining projects must obtain FMOE-approved Environmental Impact Assessments before operations commence MECD Oversight: The Mines Environmental Compliance Department (MECD) monitors, inspects, and enforces compliance at all mineral title areas Mine Closure Protocol: Operators must apply to MECD at least three months prior to intended closure or abandonment of mineral title areas State MIREMCO Committees: State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committees (MIREMCOs) coordinate sub-national environmental governance Inspectorate Function: The Mines Inspectorate Department (MID) conducts on-site audits to ensure operational compliance with environmental standards Artisanal Mining Oversight: Dedicated ASM compliance programme formalises small-scale miners and brings them under the environmental compliance framework

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active with ongoing reforms; Nigeria split mining administration into MMSD and Ministry of Steel Development in 2023 Implementing Body: Mines Environmental Compliance Department (MECD) under the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MMSD) Coverage: Nationwide — MMSD operates Federal Mines Offices in all 36 states and the FCT Funding: Federal budgetary allocation supplemented by revenues from mineral royalties and the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) Sector Growth: Solid mineral production grew at 28% CAGR from 54.5 million tonnes (2019) to 89.48 million tonnes (2021)

How to Access

Mining Operators: Submit EIA for FMOE review; apply for mineral titles via the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) portal at portal.minesandsteel.gov.ng Mine Closure: Apply to MECD at least three months before planned closure with a full environmental restoration plan ASM Operators: Register through MMSD's Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) window to formalise operations and access compliance support Portal: portal.minesandsteel.gov.ng | msmd.gov.ng

Important Terms

EIA Compliance: Operations without an approved EIA are illegal and subject to suspension, fines, or licence revocation Closure Obligation: Mineral title holders bear full responsibility for environmental rehabilitation on closure, regardless of ownership changes

Official Resources

Website: msmd.gov.ng | portal.minesandsteel.gov.ng Contact: Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, 13 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos / Block G, Old Secretariat, Area 1, Garki, Abuja Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Source: MMSD, Nigerian Minerals & Mining Act 2007, PwC, NESG | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Mining Environmental Compliance Strategy operates under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007. It aligns with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations 2011, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards, the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals.