Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 6
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
Iran’s copper concentrate production amounted to 432,412 tons in the first five months of the current Iranian fiscal year (March 20-Aug. 21).
The figure indicates an increase by 18 percent as compared to the same period of the preceding year, the Islamic Republic’s Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) reported Sept. 6.
The country’s copper concentrate output reached 61,049 tons during the calendar month of Mordad (July 21-Aug. 21) – 6 percent less year-on-year.
Some 77,987 tons of cathode copper (1 percent increase) as well as 97,413 tons of anode copper (1 percent increase) were produced in Iran during the five-month period.
The country’s cathode and anode copper output stood at 17,482 tons and 19,295 tons during the calendar month of Mordad.
Iran also produced 2,317 tons of molybdenum concentrate and 441 tons of molybdenum during the five-month period, indicating a fall by 3 percent and rise by 92 percent, respectively, year-on-year.
Iran possesses the world’s second largest copper reserve. At present, six copper mines are operating in the country.
Iran’s copper production capacity stands at around 200,000 tons per year and the capacity is projected to be doubled by March 2020.
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.