Comparison of Environmental Laws of Mines in Iran, Australia, Chile, India, Turkey, Canada, South Africa, and China

Due to the important environmental effects on human life and the conflict between the mining process and environmental factors, the enactment of protectionist environmental laws in the mining industry has received extensive attention particularly in countries with high mineral potential. In this regard, this study developed a novel conceptual framework to identify the environmental protection laws in Iran by considering the mining environmental laws and regulations in different countries such as Australia, Chile, India, Turkey, Canada, South Africa, and China. This helps to apply the experiences of the abovementioned countries in resolving similar conflicts in Iran's mining industry. The environmental protection laws were selected based on their legislation background in the field of mining, participation in environmental treaties, success in the field of mining trade, and pioneering in the revision of mining laws. The proposed framework demonstrated that Iran’s mining environmental laws require revision and more transparency to avoid ambiguity and conflict with mining property laws and governmental rights.