Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9
By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:
A license has been issued for the exploitation of black marble mine in Maku Free Trade Zone (MAKUFZ) of Iran's West Azerbaijan province, Deputy Director of MAKUFZ for Economic and Investment Issues Ebrahim Jalili said, Trend reports via IRNA.
According to Jalili, the mine's reserves exceed 200,000 tons.
Jalili added that the mine started operating with the investments in the amount of 100 billion rials (roughly $2.38 million) and employed 20 people.
Currently, there are 35 mines on the MAKUFZ and half of them are operational, said the official said.
The deputy director noted that the amount invested in Iran's mining sector reached 370 billion rials (roughly $8.8 million).
During the reported period, five limestone, silica and various marble mines got licences and employed 207 people, Jalili added.
Maku Free Trade Zone covers Maku, Showt, Poldasht counties and Bazargan city of Iran's West Azerbaijan province. The total territory of the zone is about 5,000 sq.km.
Moreover, Maku Free Trade Zone shares 140 kilometers of borders with the Republic of Azerbaijan and 130 kilometers with Turkey.