TEHRAN, Iran, Nov.6
Trend:
Iran is increasing exploration of mineral materials, said deputy Minister of Industries, Mine and Trade Alireza Shahidi, Trend reports citing IRNA.
The official noted that 13 new mineral materials have been discovered in Iran in the past five years.
The government is currently seeking to discover rare heavy earth elements and the details of explorations will be announced in the future, Shahidi said.
The country's public and private sectors have increased analysis of mineral elements and currently 81 types of mineral materials have proven to exist in Iran.
The numbers of discovered mineral materials are expected to reach 85 in the future, considering the country's mineral diversity.
Iran has 2.7 million tons of iron ore reserves, 2.6 billion tons of copper ore deposits and 11 million tons of zinc reserves.