Law No. 12 of 1968 regulating the natural resources affairs. Country/Territory Jordan Document type Legislation Date 1968 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Mineral resources Keyword Minerals Mining Contract/agreement Data collection/reporting Dispute settlement Environmental planning Exploration Institution Transport/storage Authorization/permit Concession Policy/planning Geographical area Asia, Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Red Sea & Gulf of Aden, Western Asia Entry into force notes This Law enters into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Abstract This Law is composed of 69 articles. Articles 1 and 2 give terms and definitions. Article 3 provides for the establishment of the Natural Resources Authority which shall have the following competencies: to prospect and lay out geological and economic studies related to natural resources; to supervise technically the mining methods; and to exploit mines. The Authority shall be considered an autonomous corporation body under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (arts. 4 and 5). The Board of Directors of the Natural Resources Authority, established under the chairmanship of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, shall have the following competences and duties: laying out general policies of the Authority; recommending internal and external loans upon the approval of the Cabinet; utilizing experts, advisors and agents; preparing the annual budget; signing contracts and agreements; and preparing laws and regulations pertaining to the Authority (arts. 8 and 9). The Cabinet shall nominate the Director-General of the Authority (art. 12). The Authority shall be responsible for the following activities: laying out policies for the development and exploitation of rock and mineral resources in the Kingdom; providing technical and advisory services related to mining; carrying out mining projects; and other responsibilities entrusted by the Cabinet (art. 14). All minerals existing in Jordan, whether found on the surface, underground, in territorial waters, rivers and internal waters, shall be considered as a State domain (art. 30). No exploration permit, prospecting licence or mining right may be granted for Government and Waqf property unless upon approval (art. 33). Articles 34-40 address licences, permits, exploitation, exploration and the like for Jordanian citizens and foreigners. Article 41 defines exploration rights of holders of a prospecting licence. The Authority may issue a mining right to any person holding a certificate of discovery (art. 42). The holder of an exploration licence or mining right shall not have the right to take water from lakes, rivers, water sources or canals bordering or passing through the licensed land nor change the course without a written permission of the President (art. 44). The holder of a mining right shall submit to the President a detailed annual report, within January of each year, indicating the value of the tonnage extracted during the precedent year, number of employees, and work plan and programme for the coming year (art. 45). Quarries' activities and transportation of rock materials shall be carried out upon a previous licence (art. 49). The settlement of disputes shall be carried out by arbitration (art. 50). Articles 51-55 deal with budgets, and financing and incomes of the Authority. Article 66 contains offences and penalties. Full text English References - Legislation Amended by Jordan Valley Development Law as amended by the amended Law No. 30 of 2001. Legislation | Jordan | 1988 (2001) Keyword: Inland waters, Groundwater, Surface water, Water abstraction, Waterworks, Irrigation, Dispute settlement, Data collection/reporting, Institution, Authorization/permit, Offences/penalties Source: FAO, FAOLEX Jordan Valley Development Law, 1988. Legislation | Jordan | 1988 (2001) Keyword: Inland waters, Groundwater, Surface water, Policy/planning, Irrigation, River basin institution, Expropriation, Water abstraction, Special fund Source: FAO, FAOLEX Repealed by Natural Resources Law No. 19 of 2018. Legislation | Jordan | 2018 Keyword: Mining, Minerals, Authorization/permit, Sustainable development, Exploration, Royalties/fees, Internal trade, International trade, Coal, Oil, Hazards, Inspection, Water rights, Sustainable use Source: FAO, FAOLEX