The National Iranian Copper Industry Company managing director said that within four-year time the Islamic Republic will be producing 3.5 percent of the world's copper and rank 10 in this regard.
The Islamic Republic of Iran News Network quoted Ardishir Saad-Mohammadi as saying that Iran possesses 2 billion tons of all discovered copper deposits.
He said that Iran produces 220,000 tons of copper cathodes annually which constitute 1.2 percent of the global production of this metal.
The country is currently 17th in this regard.
He pointed out that last year Iran exported $1.2 billion worth of copper cathodes.
Copper cathodes export ranks first among non-oil exported goods.
The Iranian official stated that excavation had started in 7 new mines which they expected held over 500 million tons of copper.