Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 30
By Fatih Karimov – Trend
Iran’s copper concentrate production amounted to 528,768 tons in the first half of the current Iranian fiscal year (March 20-Sept. 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 Oct. 30.
The country’s copper concentrate output reached 96,356 tons during the calendar month of Shahrivar (Aug. 21-Sept. 21) – 20 percent more year-on-year.
Some 95,472 tons of cathode copper (2 percent increase) as well as 116,581 tons of anode copper (1 percent decrease) were produced in Iran during the six-month period.
The country’s cathode and anode copper output stood at 17,485 tons and 19,168 tons during the calendar month of Shahrivar.
Iran also produced 2,991 tons of molybdenum concentrate and 548 tons of molybdenum during the six-month period, indicating rise by 7 percent and 89 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.