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| Mining Sector |
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Introduction |
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| Mining sector, as the source
of crude ores required by different branches of industry
plays significant and major role in industrial production
processes. Progress and advancement of any community would
be at stake in lack of access to mineral resources, however,
rich mines along with other factors such as skilled manpower
and modern technology accelerate the growing trend of
the community. In this view, development of mining sector
and optimum exploitation of its wealth will provide reasonable
basis for enhancement of production capacities in other
sectors, most especially industry that in turn, will result
in a booming economy. In Iran, there is not a clear background
of mining exploitation, however copper and brass tools
found in ancient monuments suggest several thousand years
of experience in use of minerals gained by man. Archeological
findings on Ebylis hill, in Bampoor and Shahdad in Kerman
province indicate 7000 years history of excavation and
melting of metals in Iran too. |
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| Exploitation of mines in
modern way in Iran initiated by Europeans since early
20th century. In 1959, the establishment of Geological
Organization centralized mining exploration operations
that were conducted earlier by different individuals and
legal entities. Later on, establishment of a steel mill
and some governmental or private companies encouraged
further explorations of the mines. The consequence of
such excavations so far has led to the explorations of
rich mines of iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, boxit, chrome,
gold, uranium and so on in various parts of Iran. Iran
with splendid mineral resources either by volume or variety
enjoys outstanding situation in the world. Holding the
second gas reserves and the fourth crude oil resources
in the world and also containing huge deposits of iron
ore, coal, copper and ornamental stones with a high degree
of variety and exceptional quality, have given a higher
competency to the economy of Iran to develop its mining
sector. The following article is an introductory note
to mining sector in Iran. |
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Brief History |
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| According to Islamic Codes,
mines are considered public wealth and Islamic government
holds not only ownership but also it is eligible to convey
excavation right of mines to individuals and legal entities
(without right of ownership). The Ministry of Industries
and Mines of Iran (Ministry of Mines and Metals before
1990) currently is the sole authority to conduct and supervise
exploration and exploitation of mines through issuing
licenses. The first comprehensive Legal Act on mines passed
by the Parliament of Iran in 1938. Nevertheless, after
Islamic Revolution another Legal Act on the management
of mines came into force in 1983. In the lateral law,
the exploitation right of big mines and some smaller ones
had been conveyed to the government but other sectors
such as (private enterprises and cooperatives) had been
allowed to use other smaller mining pits. In late May
1998, the new Legal Act on mines was approved by the Parliament. |
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By virtue of this
law the mines fall into four categories:
a) Class (I) mines (limestone, gypsum, salt, sand, gravel,
etc.)
b) Class (II) mines including:
1- Iron, gold, chrome, lead, zinc, copper and other
metals
2- Nitrates, phosphates, sulfides, carbonates and so on
(except items mentioned in Class (I) category)
3- Graphite, mica, feldespat, boxit, etc.
4- Precious and semi-precious stones
5- Ornamental stones
6- Various types of coal and non-oil shale
7- Mineral resources extracted from waters and mineral
gases except hydrocarbons
c- Class (III) mines
including crude oil, natural gas, etc.
d- Class (IV) mines consisting of radioactive and radiant
substances including primary/secondary |
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