BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
As many as 239 mines are to be put into operation in the West Azerbaijan Province (northwestern Iran), Deputy Chairman of Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of the West Azerbaijan Province, Parisa Abidpour said, Trend reports citing the organization
Abidpour stressed that the construction work is underway in connection with the launch of these mines, which will increase employment in the province.
The deputy chairman added that 494 mines have been licensed for currently operating in the West Azerbaijan Province. More than 16 million tons of mining materials can be extracted from these mines per year. The province's mining reserves currently exceed 1.22 billion tons.
"A total of 5,200 people have been employed with the launch of these mines," she said.
Abidpour noted that there are currently 665 processing enterprises operating in the province in order to prevent the sale of mining materials in the form of raw materials and add to additional value.
"In general, 13.9 trillion rials (about $330 million) was spent on these enterprises and 18,600 people were employed with the launch of the enterprises," the deputy director said.