Nigeria, Sept. 21 -- The Nigerian government said it has revoked the operating licence of 1,263 mining title holders over failure to pay their annual service fees.

Segun Tomori, the special assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Tomori said these revocations include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

By opening up the areas formerly covered by these licences, he said, the revocation is expected to spur fresh applications by investors looking for fresh opportunities.

Approving the revocation following the recommendation of the MCO, according to the statement, Mr Alake said applying the law ...