1816. If a person extracts gold, silver, lead, copper, iron, petroleum, coal, turquoise, agate, alum, salt, or other minerals similar to these, he should pay its khums if the quantity has reached the relevant niÒÁb (limit point).
1817. The niÒÁb for minerals is fifteen mithqÁl of conventional minted gold. That is to say, if the value of the minerals extracted from the mine reaches fifteen mithqÁl of minted gold, he should pay its khums after deducting the expenses incurred.
1818. If the value of the extracted minerals is less than fifteen mithqÁl of minted gold, one will be liable to pay its khums if the profits acquired from it, or the profits acquired from it and other sources combined exceed his yearly expenditure.
1819. The precepts of minerals do not apply to gypsum, lime, montmorillonite clay and red clay. If a person extracts any of these, he shall only be liable to pay its khums if the profits acquired from it, or the profits acquired from it and other things combined exceed his yearly expenditure.
1820. If a person acquires minerals he should pay its khums regardless of whether the mineral was above the surface of earth or underground, and regardless of whether it is situated in a land that is owned or a land that has no owner.
1821. If a person is not certain whether the value of a mineral extracted from a mine is fifteen mithqÁl of minted gold or not, obligatory precaution will dictate that he should endeavor to determine its value by means of weight, or any other means possible. In the event he is unable to determine its value, he will not be liable to pay its khums.
1822. If a group of people extract a mineral, the value of which is fifteen mithqÁl of minted gold, the obligatory precaution will be to pay its khums after deducting the expenses incurred, even if the share of each person is less than fifteen mithqÁl of minted gold.
1823. If a person extracts a mineral from the property of another person without the owner’s permission, whatever is extracted shall belong to the owner of the property. In the event the value of the extracted minerals reaches its niÒÁb, the owner will be liable to pay the khums for the all of the extracted minerals.
