Designing a Policy Framework for the Development of Mining Industries in Iran

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor Knowledge based Economy, Technology Studies Institute, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Innovation Policy & Insight, Faculty of Technology Studies Institute, Technology Studies Institute, Tehran, Iran

3 Master of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran,

4 Master of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jppolicy.2026.107830

Abstract

Iran is recognized as a country with rich mineral reserves, particularly iron ore, copper, lead, and zinc. Much of the capacity is not fully utilized, and processing and export policies have faced distortions. To this goal, a thematic analysis based on interview text data has been used. The proposed policies also include reforming the structure of GSI, determining legal boundaries, detailed exploration through royalties, joint liability of technical officials, the integration of small mines,, canceling the permits of energy-intensive units with little progress, exempting from export restrictions in exchange for investment in exploration, and linking exports to compliance with the minimum supply.

Keywords

References

  1. Adab, A., Nouri, Q., Sepehr, S., Nouri, Q., Soroush, S., Shahverdi, [Initial], & Ahmadpour, [Initial]. (2020). Analyzing the value chain of Iran’s steel industry using value chain economic analysis and material flow. Public Management Research, 13(48), 59–85. [Persian]
  2. Ahmadi, M., et al. (2016). Investigating the role of government and private sector cooperation in the sustainable development of mining industries. Iranian Economic Research Journal, 12(3), 45–63. [Persian]
  3. Ahmadi, M., et al. (2016). Investigating the role of government and private sector cooperation in the sustainable development of mining industries. Iranian Economic Research Journal, 12(3), 45–63. [Persian]
  4. Hosseini, M. (2017). Investigating the impact of cheap energy rent on the development of upstream and downstream industries. Iranian Industrial Development Studies. [Persian]
  5. Kamijani, A., & Salahi, J. (2007). Investigating the factors affecting total factor productivity in Iran’s mining industries. Journal of Economic Studies and Policies, 0(12), 25–44. [Persian]
  6. Mousavi, A., et al. (2018). The importance of mineral processing and downstream industry development. Journal of Mining and Mineral Industry Development of Iran. [Persian]
  7. Momeni, M., & Nikou-Nasbati, R. (2017). Conflict management and industrial development: Necessities and solutions. Industrial Policy, 8(3), 23–39. [Persian]
  8. Fertash, K. (2021). A historical analysis of industrial development policy documents in Iran and presenting policy requirements for the coming years. Management Improvement, 15(3), 121–144. [Persian]
  9. Farzaneh-Nosratollahnezhad, F. (2019). Investigating the status of mineral resources and the challenges of Iran’s lead and zinc industry. [Persian
  10. Andreoni, A., & Chang, H. J. (2019). The political economy of industrial policy: Structural interdependencies, policy alignment and conflict management. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 48, 136–150.
  11. (2023). AICSI Results – INMIExpo Presentation [Presentation]. https://events.donya-e-eqtesad.com/sites/default/files/Aturpat%20-%20AICSI%20Results%20-%20INMIExpo%20-%20Presentation%20-%20V01.pdf
  12. Barrientos, S., Gereffi, G., & Rossi, A. (2011). Economic and social upgrading in global production networks: A new paradigm for a changing world. International Labour Review, 150(3–4), 319–340.
  13. Chang, H. J. (2011). Institutions and economic development: Theory, policy and history. Journal of Institutional Economics, 7(4), 473–498.
  14. Chang, H. J., & Andreoni, A. (2020). Industrial policy in the 21st century. Development and Change, 51(2), 324–351.
  15. Gamble, A. (1987). The free market and industrial policy. London: Routledge.
  16. Gereffi, G. (1994). The organization of buyer-driven global commodity chains: How US retailers shape overseas production networks. In G. Gereffi & M. Korzeniewicz (Eds.), Commodity chains and global capitalism (pp. 95–122). Westport, CT: Praeger.
  17. Gereffi, G., Humphrey, J., & Sturgeon, T. (2005). The governance of global value chains. Review of International Political Economy, 12(1), 78–104.
  18. Gereffi, G., & Sturgeon, T. (2013). Global value chain-oriented industrial policy: the role of emerging economies. In Global value chains in a changing world (pp. 329–360). WTO iLibrary.
  19. Hausmann, R., Hwang, J., & Rodrik, D. (2007). What you export matters. Journal of Economic Growth, 12, 1–25.
  20. Hirschman, A. O. (1981). The changing toleration for income inequality in the course of economic development. Essay in Trespassing.
  21. (2023). Annual report 2023. Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.
  22. Khan, M. (2015). The political economy of community-based fisheries management in Bangladesh. London: Routledge.
  23. King, N., & Horrocks, C. (2010). Interviews in qualitative research. Google eBook, 256. https://books.google.com/books/about/Interviews_in_Qualitative_Research.html?id=iOsnITKC48g
  24. Lall, S. (2001). Competitiveness, technology and skills. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  25. Lebedev, Y. V., & Kokarev, K. V. (2020, April). Innovative development of subsoil mining complexes of Russia. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 459(2), 022024. IOP Publishing.
  26. Li, K. X., Jin, M., Qi, G., Shi, W., & Ng, A. K. (2018). Logistics as a driving force for development under the Belt and Road initiative–the Chinese model for developing countries. Transport Reviews, 38(4), 457–478.
  27. Lin, J. Y. (2011). New structural economics: A framework for rethinking development. The World Bank Research Observer, 26(2), 193–221.
  28. Lin, J. Y. (2014). Industrial policy revisited: A new structural economics perspective. Revue d’économie du développement, 22(HS01), 51–70.
  29. Lin, J., & Chang, H. J. (2009). Should industrial policy in developing countries conform to comparative advantage or defy it? A debate between Justin Lin and Ha‐Joon Chang. Development Policy Review, 27(5), 483–502.
  30. Mackintosh, W. A. (1953). Innis on Canadian economic development. Journal of Political Economy, 61(3), 185–194.
  31. Maloney, W. F., Manzano, O., & Warner, A. (2002). Missed opportunities: Innovation and resource-based growth in Latin America [with comments]. Economia, 3(1), 111–167.
  32. Mazzucato, M. (2017). Mission-oriented innovation policy: Challenges and opportunities.
  33. Morris, M., Kaplinsky, R., & Kaplan, D. (2012). “One thing leads to another”—Commodities, linkages and industrial development. Resources Policy, 37(4), 408–416.
  34. Oqubay, A. (2015). Made in Africa: Industrial Policy in Ethiopia. Oxford University Press.
  35. Perez, C. (2002). Technological revolutions and financial capital: The dynamics of bubbles and golden ages. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  36. Ponte, S., & Sturgeon, T. (2017). Explaining governance in global value chains: A modular theory-building effort. In Global value chains and global production networks (pp. 195–223). Routledge.
  37. Radetzki, M. (1977). Where developing countries’ minerals should be processed? The country view versus the multinational company view. World Development, 5(4), 325–334.
  38. Rodrik, D. (2007). How to save globalization from its cheerleaders (CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP6494). Available from SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1138958
  39. Rodrik, D. (2020). Putting global governance in its place. The World Bank Research Observer, 35(1), 1–18.
  40. Selwyn, B. (2015). Commodity chains, creative destruction and global inequality: a class analysis. Journal of Economic Geography, 15(2), 253–274.
  41. Singer, H. W. (1950). The distribution of gains between investing and borrowing countries. The American Economic Review, 40(2), 473–485.
  42. Stiglitz, J. E., Lin, J. Y., Monga, C., & Patel, E. (2013). Industrial policy in the African context. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, (6633).
  43. Stiglitz, J. E., & Greenwald, B. C. (2014). Creating a learning society: A new approach to growth, development, and social progress. Columbia University Press.
  44. Tordo, S., & Anouti, Y. (2013). Local content policies in the oil and gas sector: Case studies. World Bank Publications.
  45. United Nations. Economic Commission for Africa. (2011). Industrial policies for the structural transformation of African economies: Options and best practices. Economic Commission for Africa.
  46. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). National emission standards for hazardous air pollutants: Integrated iron and steel manufacturing facilities residual risk and technology review. Federal Register, 85(134), 42074–42130.
  47. Veal, L. (2021). United States Environmental Protection Agency: National management measures to control non-point source pollution for urban areas (EPA, 2005). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Iranian Journal of Public Policy
Volume 12, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 286-303

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics