The Lower House of Parliament passed by majority vote on Sunday the draft law ratifying the executive agreement for the assessment, development, and exploitation of copper and associated minerals in the Abu Khushayba area.
اضافة اعلان
The session was chaired by House Speaker Mazen Al-Qadi, with the attendance of Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan and members of the government cabinet.
Strategic and Legal Context
Ayman Abu Haniyeh, head of the Parliamentary Energy and Mineral Resources Committee, noted that this session marks the final meeting of the second ordinary session of the 20th Parliament. He emphasized that the Wadi Araba copper mining project has undergone transparent legal and technical phases since the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022.
The developer, Wadi Araba Metals Company, was established as a legal requirement for the project. Per Article 117 of the Jordanian Constitution, the agreement is not enforceable until ratified by Parliament. Furthermore, the agreement mandates that the company transition into a publicly traded Jordanian company before commercial production begins, ensuring transparency and allowing national institutions, such as the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF), to participate in ownership.
Economic Returns and Royalties
Abu Haniyeh clarified the financial structure of the deal:
Royalties: A sliding scale ranging from 3% to 10% based on gross production, not net profit, which aligns with international standards.
Taxation: Returns include income tax, mining fees, and an escalating tax system on profits.
Socio-economic Impact: Beyond direct revenues, the project aims to place Jordan on the global mining map, create local jobs, and stimulate the regional economy.
Legislative Background
The draft law was referred to the Energy Committee on November 24, 2025, and approved by the committee on April 13, 2026. The Cabinet had previously approved the bill on November 16, 2025.
This ratification fulfills the constitutional requirement that any concession related to the exploitation of mines, minerals, or public utilities must be sanctioned by law. The project is a cornerstone of government efforts to bolster the mining sector's contribution to the national economy and reduce reliance on traditional resources.
