Int'l mining exhibition opens in Iran's central city
The 9th international exhibition on stones, mines, and related
industries has opened in Iran's central city of Isfahan, IRIB
reported.
Nearly 90 Iranian companies, as well as representatives from
Germany, Italy, Turkey, Greece, and China are attending the
exhibition.
The event will run till May 5.
In April, Iranian deputy industry minister Vajihollah Jafari said
that the country's proven mineral reserves amount to 40 billion
tons, of which 98 percent - mainly iron ore, zinc, and lead - is
possessed by the private sector.
Jafari said that more than 5,600 mines are being operated in
Iran.
Some 7,600 mines have been discovered across the country, he
noted.
In January, IRNA news agency quoted Iranian Industry, Mine, and
Trade Minister Mehdi Ghazanfari as saying that Iran's existing
mineral reserves will sustain for 140 years if 400 million tons of
the reserves are extracted annually.
Iran's discovered mineral reserves are valued at over $770 billion,
he noted.
Iran holds three percent of the world's mineral reserves, putting
it first in the Middle East and third in Asia.
Iran has about 68 kinds of minerals, and 20 other types of minerals
have been identified through recent explorations.