“Hold Over” letters were issued on May 22nd to 25 bona fide operators with currently “Active” operations in the minerals sector.
This is according to the Energy Ministry, which says the companies hold expired Mining Licences and Processing Licences and are in the process of renewing them.
It says the letters allow the companies to continue their operations, under the same terms and conditions as their previous licences, while the renewals are being processed.
The letters are valid for a period of one year each.
The Ministry says the decision represents Government’s commitment to ensuring there is an adequate supply of minerals at affordable prices to meet the infrastructural and industrial development needs of the country.
Meanwhile, the Ministry says it is now reviewing its list of currently “Inactive” operations from bona fide persons with expired licences.
It intends to communicate with these operators in the near future to determine their interest in conducting future operations.
It says this is also part of its attempt to increase aggregate production and maintain stable aggregate prices in the country.
The MEEI also voiced a commitment to assisting all new applicants who have never been licenced to conduct either mining or processing operations, and who wish to obtain new licences to carry out such activities in a lawful manner.
