Tehran, Iran, Feb. 6
By Mehdi Sepahvand – Trend:
Iran possesses 57 billion tons of minerals, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mehdi Karbasian said, adding iron and copper ores as well as gypsum limestone are the most common ones in the country.
The official also announced that this week a copper factory and two steel factories will come on stream, SHATA news agency reported February 6.
One hundred percent of small and mid-size mines in Iran are owned by the private sector, he said, adding that the majority of big mines are also in the hands of the private sector.
According to the deputy minister, minerals comprise 35 percent of Iran’s exports.