Procedure for obtaining a quarry lease in Nigeria

Aquarr y ordinarily means a deep pit meant for the extraction of stones and other materials. The usual excavations done here are stones, sand, granite, chalk, clay, flint, gravel, gypsum, limestone, marble, marl, quartz etc. The law that regulates this area is the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007. The government agency that is in charge is the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) – in Abuja, Nigeria.

The right the lease confers on the person that obtains it is the right to carry out quarry operations on the land and remove and dispose of the minerals that are stated in the lease.

It must be noted that the lease is usually granted over a land that does not exceed five hectares. Also, the duration of the grant is usually for five years. In case the person to whom the lease is granted desires to renew it, he or she must do so within three months before the lease expires.

The procedure for obtaining quarry lease is listed below

1. An application form that has been duly filled

2. The applicant must give an attestation that he or she hasn’t been convicted of criminal offence before

3. Pre-feasibility report must be presented

4. There must be evidence of technical persons that will help in doing the work

5. Land owners or the persons occupying the land must give their irrevocable consent

6. There must be evidence that the person applying is financially capable

7. Certified true copy of certificate of incorporation

8. Evidence showing that processing fee was paid 9. Specific area to be surveyed 10. Notice to owners of the land and a reply with regards to the rate that is to be paid

11. Names of minerals the applicant wants to exploit

The Mining Cadastral Office that is in charge of granting the lease is expected to process the application and make a decision within 45 days. For the purpose of emphasis, the person to whom the lease is granted is permitted to only exploit the minerals that are specified in the lease.