Minerals Law.

This Law regulates the affairs related to determining the ownership and control of the State over mineral deposits and provides for the preservation, management, utilization and support of State, private and joint investments in the mining sector operations.
All minerals within Afghanistan are exclusive property of the state and the Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Industry regulates all mineral-related activities. The Ministry also formulates and implements mining policies, classifies various minerals and mineral sources for regulatory purposes, grants licenses, issues and execute contracts, assesses fees, etc.
Mineral activities may be carried out by individuals and companies possessing a Mineral Right granted by the Ministry of Mines and Industries. Mineral Rights may be issued for both metallic and coal mines (licenses) and quarry operations (authorizations), distinguishing between exploration and production activities.
The Law further contains a number of important provisions which include: the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Commission to regulate the tenders of mineral rights, of a Mining Cadastre and of an Environmental Protection Department; classification of mineral deposits, restricted areas and prohibited minerals; protection of historical and cultural relics; payment of taxes, custom duties and royalties on minerals; the submission of Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Management Plans for the protection of the environment during exploitation; and dispute resolution of mineral operations.