Mining Regulation.

This Regulation consists of 5 Chapters divided into 75 articles: Mineral exploration (I); Mineral exploitation (II); Processing (III); Conformity and general provisions (IV); Supervision (V).
The execution of any type of mineral exploration works by the public and private sector, and by cooperatives, both Iranian and foreign, shall be carried out only once an exploration licence from the Ministry of Mines and Metals has been obtained (art. 1). The maximum area for each exploration licence shall be forty (40) square kilometres (art. 2). Validity of the abovementioned Exploration Licence is one year (art. 3). All applications for exploration licences shall be submitted to the Ministry of Mines and Metals along with the related and necessary documents and maps (art. 4). Natural persons may hold one exploration licence at a time whereas the juridical person may hold several licences upon approval of the Ministry of Mines and Metals (art. 12). The explorer shall be obliged to prepare a report and submit it to the Ministry of Mines and Metals enclosed with the following information: (a) volume of surface and sub-surface exploration works such as roads, buildings, earthworks, excavations, digging of trench, wells, tunnels, etc.; (b) quantity of explosives used, wood, iron, etc. stating costs thereof; (c) costs of maps, tests and expert services; (d) costs of ore dressing and processing tests, and industrial tests; (e) final report of the works; (f) initial techno-economic feasibility study report and results (art. 14). Articles 17 and 18 address the revocation and cancellation of licences. Transportation of mineral substances derived from exploration works shall be carried out upon an authorization of the Ministry of Mines and Metals (art. 19). The Ministry of Mines and Metals shall define the period of exploitation (art. 25). Requirements and conditions necessary for the renewal and transfer of exploitation licences are specified in articles 26-30. Article 40 lists the cases in which the holder of an exploitation license may be dispossessed of the mine. For the establishment of ore dressing, processing and metallurgic units as well as independent research units applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Mines and Metals along with a techno-economic feasibility study (art. 48). Schedule of damages arising from late payment of royalties is contained in article 62. Execution of exploration and exploitation activities shall respect environmental regulations (art. 63). The Ministry of Mines and Metals shall supervise the execution of mining works according to the provisions of the Mining Act (art. 64). Technical experts, and safety and security experts shall be nominated by the Ministry of Mines and Metals (art. 65). Articles 66-68 defined duties, competences and responsibilities of technical experts, and of safety and security experts in case of accidents. Extraction methods of decorative stones are provided for in article 72. Offences and penalties are contained in article 73.