H1 Copper Concentrate Output Up 18%

The subsidiaries of National Iranian Copper Industries Company produced 528,768 tons of copper concentrate in the first half of the current Iranian year (started March 20), registering an 18% rise compared with last year’s similar period, Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization reported on its website.  Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex accounted for 306,684 tons of the total sum, Sungun Copper Complex 148,194 tons and Miduk Copper Company 73,890 tons. As IMIDRO reported, the three companies’ concentrate output for the sixth Iranian month Shahrivar (ended Sept. 21) stood at 96,356 tons, showing a 20% rise year-on-year. Iran is the leading copper producer in the Middle East and North Africa region, as it holds close to 14% of Asia’s copper deposits and about 3% of global reserves. The country is home to about 4 billion tons of estimated reserves, according to Geological Survey of Iran.