Iran's Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh said the Islamic Republic is interested in presence of Russia for the implementation of mining exploration and preparation of exploitation projects for befitting from relevant capacities and potentials.
In a meeting with Russian Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Sergey Donskoy, the Iranian official said the two countries have constantly remained on the side of each other and expansion of bilateral cooperation and interactions is highly important, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported Feb. 23.
He referred to the visit as an opportunity for examining grounds for cooperation and offering the required mechanisms for the development and deepening of economic and trade relations and said Russia is capable in geological and mining studies and this can serve as an important factor for increasing mutual interactions.
Nematzadeh noted that Iran has planned for the development of its mines and welcomes cooperation with other countries, especially Russia, adding that the two countries have a cooperation background the expansion of which is essential now.
He referred to some primary agreements reached between Russia and IMIDRO (Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation) and said talks have been held with regard to Zarshouran Mine (gold mine in West Azerbaijan province), Angouran (lead and zinc in Zanjan province) and Sangan (iron ore in Khorasan Razavi province) and efforts are underway for their implementation.
He also called for use of Russian capability and capacity, especially in underground mining sector, and of the experience of the experts of that country in the location and exploitation of mines.
Nematzadeh pointed to joint studies which have been conducted with neighboring and African countries by his ministry and said the parties to the joint surveys have been Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and a number of African countries.
Expressing willingness for deepening trade, industrial and mining relations with Iran, Donskoy expressed the hope that cooperation will be expanded particularly in geology field and in the use of underground resources.
He pointed to the mineral and natural resources capacity as one of the advantages of Iran and said it is expected that through joint cooperation in the field of location and exploitation of mineral reserves expansion of interactions will be realized.