Baku, Azerbaijan, May 18
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Over 12 million metric tons of copper ore was extracted from mines in Iran during the first Iranian calendar month (March 21-April 21).
Some 5.8 million metric tons of copper was extracted in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, followed by Miduk Copper mine (3.724 million metric tons) and Sungun copper company (2.526 million metric tons) at the same period. Iran's copper concentrate production amounted to 67,867 metric tons in the one-month period, the Islamic Republic's Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) reported May 18.
Some 14,499 metric tons of cathode copper as well as 20,796 metric tons of anode copper were produced in Iran during the first calendar month of the current Iranian year. Iranian companies also produced some 424 metric tons of molybdenum concentrate during the one-month period.
Iran possesses the world's second largest copper reserves. At present, six copper mines are operating in the country.
Iran's copper production capacity stands currently at around 200,000 metric tons per year and the capacity is projected to double by March 2020.
Ahmad Morad Alizadeh, Director of National Iranian Copper Industries Company, said the country's copper production would rise 300,000 metric tons in the current year.
He said that the country has the potential to reach the exports capacity of $2 billion in the next few years.
Iran's proven mineral reserves stand at 37 billion tons.
The country ranked among 15 major mineral-rich countries of the world and exports its industrial and mineral products to 159 countries, including Iraq, China, the United Arab Emirates, India and Afghanistan.
Edited by CN
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