Iran’s export of mineral products in the last fiscal year (ended March 20, 2021) stood at 55 million tons worth $7.6 billion, latest data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization show.
The exports show a 21% and 11% decline in total volume and value year-on-year respectively.
According to IMIDRO, steel topped the list of exports in terms of value with $4.1 billion and was followed by copper with $958 million and cement with $758 million.
In terms of tonnage, cement had the largest share with 24.3 million tons, followed by steel with 9.69 million tons.
Alumina powder exports saw the biggest jump in terms of value (335% YOY) to reach $1.8 million, followed by aluminum products with $321 million (up 177% YOY).
The sharpest fall in export value was recorded for pellet (down 93% YOY to reach $14.3 million) and iron ore in (down 89% YOY to reach $32.4 million).
In terms of tonnage, aluminum products posted the biggest growth (183% YOY) to reach 171,000 tons, followed by alumina powder (up 163% YOY to reach 880 tons) and zinc products (up 48% YOY to reach 209,000 tons).
Precious metals and minerals (such as gold and silver) had the sharpest decline in tonnage (down 97% YOY).
The IMIDRO report also shows the import of mineral products stood at 4.15 million tons worth $3.4 billion during the same period. The imports show a 13% increase in total volume and a 6% growth in value compared with the same period of the year before.
Steel also topped the list of mineral imports in terms of value with $1.3 billion. It was followed by coal and coke with $300 million worth of imports and aluminum products with $290 million.
In terms of tonnage, steel topped the list with 1.217 million tons, followed by coal and coke with 1.21 million tons, alumina powder with 314,000 tons and aluminum products with 168,000 tons.
The value of steel products imports saw the biggest jump (39% YOY) to reach $1.37 million.
Iran’s mineral reserves currently stand at 60 billion tons, more than half of which are proven. It is home to 68 types of minerals.
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 global mineral reserves.
Major TSE-Listed Mining Firms' Sales Double to $13.4b
The Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization recently released a report on the sales of 74 heavyweight Tehran Stock Exchange-listed mining and mineral industries companies.
According to this report, the aggregate sales volume of the firms under review stood at 3.22 quadrillion rials ($13.7 billion) during the last Iranian year (ended March 19) to register a 105% rise compared to the year before.
Their sales volume during the 12th month of the year (Feb. 19-March 20) stood at 446.1 trillion rials ($1.9 billion) to register a 22% increase compared to the previous month and a 203% rise compared to the previous year's similar month.
Mobarakeh Steel Company registered the highest sales volume among the firms during the period with 774.6 trillion rials ($3.3 billion), up 98% year-on-year. The company’s sales during the 12th month stood at 11.1 trillion rials ($47 million), indicating a 336% YOY increase and a 33% month-on-month decrease.
MSC is the biggest steelmaker in Iran and the Middle East and North Africa region, accounting for about half of the country's steel production.
MSC was followed by the Iranian National Copper Industries Company with 419.4 trillion rials ($1.8 billion) of sales during the year, up by 87% YOY. The company's sales stood at 72.7 trillion rials ($309 million) during the 12th month of the year, up 226% YOY and 109% MOM.
NICICO is a leading copper producer in the MENA region and its mines hold close to 14% of Asia’s copper deposits and about 3% of global reserves.
Khuzestan Steel Company ranked third, as its sales totaled 306.4 trillion rials ($1.3 billion) in 12 months, up 93% YOY. Its sales volume during the 12th month of the year stood at 37.8 trillion rials ($160 million), up 114% YOY and down 44% MOM.
The steelmaker, located in the southwestern Khuzestan Province, is the biggest exporter of steel in Iran.
Golgohar Mining and Industrial Company sold 292.9 trillion rials ($1.24 billion) worth of mineral products in 12 months, witnessing a 114% rise YOY. The company's sales stood at 27 trillion rials ($114 million) in the 12th month of the year, up 133% YOY and down 19% MOM.
Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Company came next with 255.5 trillion rials ($1 billion) worth of sales in the said period, up 164% YOY. The company sold 32.2 trillion rials ($137 million) in the 12th month to register a 314% rise YOY and an 18% increase MOM.
Standing at sixth place was Esfahan Steel Company (ESCO) with 200.3 trillion rials ($852 million) worth of sales in 12 months, indicating an 84% growth YOY. ESCO registered a 117% YOY and a 3% MOM rise in its 12th month’s sales (24.6 trillion rials or $104 million).
With 134.4 trillion rials ($571 million) worth of sales last year, South Kaveh Steel Company was next to register a 120% rise YOY. In the 12th month of the year, the company’s sales reached 25.6 trillion rials ($109 million), up 305% YOY and 60% MOM.
Hormozgan Steel Company’s sales in the year under review reached 134.1 trillion rials ($570 million), up 153% YOY. The company’s sales amounted to 16.2 trillion rials ($69 million) in the 12th month, up 241% YOY.
