East Azarbaijan: Top Mineral-Rich Region With 400 Operational Mines

East Azarbaijan has the largest share of mineral reserves among Iranian provinces, says Habib Aminzadeh, the head of Industries, Mining and Trade Organization of the northwestern province. 
“East Azarbaijan’s mineral resources amount to 8.5 billion tons. It possesses 31 out of 57 types of minerals identified in the country. There are 13 copper mines, eight gold mines, seven iron ore mines and three nepheline mines in Sarab, Kaleybar and Azarshahr [counties of the province],” he added. 
“The province has identified 735 mines, of which 400 are operating with 12,612 workers. East Azarbaijan comes second in terms of the highest rate of employment in the country,” he was quoted as saying by IRNA. 
Notably, East Azarbaijan is home to 30 steel production units and has annual steel exports of over $100 million.