No formal report of MMDAs issuing permits for mining equipment – Lands Minister says despite JoyNews investigation

Responding to questions in Parliament, the Minister insisted that excavators and other mining equipment cannot legally be used for mining operations unless operators have registered with the Minerals Commission and complied with all statutory requirements governing the sector.

The Minister further cited Regulation 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations—Tracking of Earth-Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.2174), any person intending to use earth-moving or mining equipment for a mineral operation must first register with the Minerals Commission as a mine support service provider to a holder of a mining right.