Designing an Islamic-Iranian Governance Model for Sovereign Financial Rights in Mines: Framework, Pillars, and Mechanisms

Mineral resources, as a major component of public wealth and natural resources, possess significant potential for public revenue generation, economic justice, and sustainable development.However, the main challenge in Iran is not the lack of mineral resources or revenue capacity, but the weakness of the governance system governing sovereign financial rights in the mining sector. This study aims to develop an Islamic-Iranian model for the governance of sovereign financial rights in non-oil mines. Using a descriptive-analytical method and drawing upon Islamic jurisprudential sources, legal documents, and policy frameworks, the research examines theoretical foundations, existing conditions, governance challenges, and reform strategies.

The findings indicate that mining financial governance challenges can be classified into structural and operational categories. Structural challenges include institutional fragmentation, the absence of a comprehensive governance strategy, deficiencies in laws and regulations, and weak information systems. Operational challenges include the multiplicity of financial bases, inappropriate rate-setting mechanisms, incomplete realization of sovereign financial claims, lack of centralized revenue consolidation, and deficiencies in revenue allocation and distribution.To address these challenges, the study proposes institutional, legal, informational, and financial reforms.The most important reforms involve redesigning the mining financial system through strengthening the role of Khums on minerals, introducing the “Mining Sovereign Share” as a financial base, and establishing the “Effective Mining Financial Rights Rate.”

Based on these reforms, the study presents an Islamic-Iranian governance model consisting of four pillars: policymaking and strategic leadership, legal framework, information infrastructure, and financial-executive administration. Centered on the Supreme Council for the Governance of Public Wealth and Anfal, the National Mining Governance System, and the Public Wealth and Anfal Wealth Generation Fund, the model improves realization of sovereign financial rights, enhances transparency, promotes economic justice, and transforms mineral wealth into sustainable public benefits. Finally, the proposed model was evaluated by experts using the modified Delphi method and confirmed.