Over 700 Mineral Exploration Permits Issued

The Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade issued 702 mineral exploration permits during the nine months to Dec. 21, 2017, indicating a 27.9% rise compared with last year’s corresponding period. According to the ministry, there are over 5,400 active mines in Iran, from which close to 400 million tons of minerals are extracted every year, the ministry’s official news service Shata reported. Iran is home to 68 types of minerals with more than 40 billion tons of proven reserves and 60 billion tons of potential reserves.  According to the United States Geological Survey, Iran holds the world’s largest zinc, ninth largest copper, 10th largest iron ore, fifth largest gypsum and barite, and 10th largest uranium reserves. Overall, Iran is home to more than 7% of world mineral reserves.