Nigeria revokes Basin Mining licences, denies Chinese bias

The Nigerian Federal Government revoked the mining licences of Basin Mining Limited after the company failed to pay statutory annual service fees, initially N1.223 billion in 2024 and later rising to about N2.494 billion. The government, through Special Adviser Dr Dele Alake and spokesperson Kehinde Bamigbetan, said the revocation was carried out in accordance with Nigerian mining law and was unrelated to the nationality of any investor.

The administration rejected allegations that Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake favours Chinese investors, describing the claims as false and part of a campaign to discredit mining‑sector reforms. Alake’s record of visits includes two trips to China in three years, compared with multiple delegations to Western mining conferences and two official visits to Australia. British‑Australian firm Jupiter, which is not the licence holder, has initiated arbitration under the Nigeria‑United Kingdom Bilateral Investment Treaty, alleging a treaty breach. Bamigbetan also accused the firm of launching media campaigns and cyber attacks to pressure the government to reverse the revocation.