Minerals and Mining Decree (No. 34 of 1999).

A Decree to regulate the orderly carrying out of mining in Nigeria and to provide in relation to this for the grant of mining rights, mining in an environmentally sustainable manner, certain matters relating to water, etc.
The Decree consists of 146 sections divided into 15 Parts: Ownership of Minerals (I); Functions of Minister with Respect to Mineral Development (II); Mining Operations – General (III); Mining Incentives and other Assistance (IV); Prospecting (V); Mining (VI); Provisions Regarding Water (VII); Surveys (VIII); Possession and Purchase of Minerals (IX); Compensation, etc. (X); Appointment, Duties and Powers of Mines Officers (XI); Roads (XII); Inquiry into Accidents (XIII); Offences and Penalties (XIV); Revocation of Titles (XV).
Ownership of all minerals in Nigeria including territorial sea and continental shelf shall be vested in the Government of the Federation. Functions of Minister with respect to mineral development are outlined in section 2. There is established for each State of Federation a Committee to be known as the Mineral Resources Committee. A Committee shall consider and advise the Minister on issues concerning grants of mining titles and mineral development and carry out other functions specified in section 3. Mining rights shall be granted by the Minister. Part VII regulates the use of water in mining operations, compensation by a mining operator to an owner of land for the pollution of water and restoration of environmental damage. The Minister may grant temporary water licenses under section 72.