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1- The current Mines Act of Iran was
approved by the Parliament on 17th May and
ratified by Expediency Council on 13th June
1998.
2- The Act divides mines into four levels
dependening on the nature of minerals and
depth of mines. These levels are as follows:
level 1 : salt, gravel, sand, lime,
chalk ... etc.
level 2 : metals, nitrites, graphites,
precious stones, coals, mineral waters ...
etc.
level 3 : oil, natural gas, tar ...
etc.
level 4 : radioactives.
Only levels 1 and 2 mines are subject of the
provisions of the Mines Act and its By-Laws.
3- Theoretically there is no restriction on
exploration and exploitation and all
persons, real and juridical, Iranian and
foreign can engage in these activities upon
issuance of appropriate licence and decree.
This is an important improvement on previous
Act where foreign owned companies were
excluded.
4- Exploitation of big mines (which is not
clearly defined) is dependent upon the
approval of the Council of Ministers.
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