Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7
By Milad Fashtami - Trend:
Iranian MPs believe that Azerbaijani investors can invest in the metal mines located in the northwest of the country, near the Azerbaijani border.
Mahnaz Bahmani, a member of Economic Commission of Iran's Parliament (Majlis), told Trend Agency on Nov. 7 that there are huge mines of aluminum, copper, zinc, and gold in the northwestern provinces of East Azarbaijan, Ardebil and West Azarbaijan.
"Azerbaijani investors can invest in these projects which are believed to be very profitable," she said.
Kamaloddin Pirmo'azen, a member of the Industries and Mines Commission of Majlis, also told Trend Agency that the purity of Ardebil province's gold mine is 10 times more than Isfahan province's mine.
"Investing in Ardebil's mine could be very profitable for Azeri investors," he said.
Based on official data, Iran discovered 15 gold mines through August. Currently 12 mines are operational.
"Ardebil's gold mine has been recently discovered and further information about its reserves will be released in the coming weeks," Pirmo'azen said. He expressed hope that Iranian president's upcoming visit to Baku will facilitate the process of Azeri investors' investment in the Ardebil mine.
President Rouhani is expected to leave Tehran for Baku on November 12 for a two-day official visit. A business delegation consisted of the representatives of state-owned and private companies, as well as Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture will also travel to Azerbaijan.
The two countries are expected to sign 10 memorandums of understanding during the visit.
The official website of Iran's Industry, Mine, and Trade ministry cites exploratory operations in aluminum and Iron ore mines as the top priorities of the ministry for investment.
Aluminum and Iron mines are also among the four top discovery priorities.
According to the ministry, Iran daily produces 1.2 million metric tons of minerals.
There are totally 186, 167, and 55 mines in the West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, and Ardebil provinces, respectively.
Latest reports suggest that only eight foreign companies are active in Iranian mines.
The value of Iran's mineral output according to the Statistical Center of Iran (million rials):
|
1384 (ended March 20, 2006) |
16770254 |
|
1385 (ended March 20, 2007) |
22642408 |
|
1386 (ended March 20, 2008) |
30647053 |
|
1387 (ended March 20, 2009) |
35567776 |
|
1388 (ended March 20, 2010) |
35586170 |
|
1389 (ended March 20, 2011) |
50147576 |
|
1390 (ended March 20, 2012) |
65442497 |
|
1391 (ended March 20, 2013) |
101209836 |
According to Pirmo'azen, the northwestern mines of Iran are almost unexploited and ready for investment.