Iran has exported some 18.5 million tons of minerals worth around $5 billion since the beginning of the current calendar year (March 21, 2009).
The products have been sent to 40 countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network reported.
Minerals account for 46 percent of Iran''s industrial and mineral exports, ranking it in the first place among export-bound products.
The country exported $10.862 billion of industrial and mineral products in the first eight months of the current (Iranian) year.
Iraq, China, the UAE, India and Afghanistan are among the top importers of Iranian goods, data released by Iran''s Ministry of Industries and Mines shows, Press TV reported.