Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.18
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
Lack of transport infrastructure has incurred losses to Iran's iron ore exports, said ahram Shakouri, vice chairman of the Iranian iron ore producers and exporters union.
He said this issue has multiplied the iron ore production costs, Iran's Donya-ye Madan website reported on November 18.
Exploration costs in Iran is equivalent to those of Australia and Brazil, but lack of road and rail transport infrastructures rises production costs sharply in Iran, he noted.
Iran exported around 20 million tons of iron ore in the previous calendar year, which ended March 20.
Iranian officials say the country's domestic need for steel production units caused a sharp decline in the country's iron ore exports last year.
China, Russia and Kazakhstan are among the few trade allies still providing a lifeline to Iran's vital steel and iron ore sector after most Western suppliers and buyers have cut ties due to growing sanctions pressure, Reuters reported in May 2013.
Tehran has ambitious plans to expand domestic steel output and hopes it can in the short term become self-sufficient.
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