The National Iranian Copper Industries Company produced 348,969 tons of copper anode in the fiscal 2022-23 (ended March 21), unchanged compared to the year before, latest data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization show.
A total of 28,242 tons of copper anode were produced during the month ending March 20.
A total of 1.72 million tons of copper concentrate were produced during the year, also unchanged.
During the 12th month, concentrate output reached 97,479 tons, registering a 1% fall compared with the same period of last year.
The production of copper cathode hit 300,011 tons during the 12-month period, up 5% YOY.
A total of 27,516 tons of copper cathode were produced during the 12th month, indicating an 8% rise compared with the same period of last year.
Molybdenum production in the 12-month period stood at 9.630 tons, up 16% year-on-year.
NICICO produced 1,232 tons of molybdenum during the 12th month of the current fiscal year, registering a 48% growth YOY. It is a leading copper producer in the Middle East and North Africa region. Its mines hold close to 14% of Asia’s copper deposits and about 3% of global reserves.
The company produces high-grade products such as cathode, slab, billet and 8-mm wires.
“Iran’s standing rose to fifth place in terms of global ranking of copper reserves,” vice president for development and exploration of the National Iranian Copper Industries Company said recently, adding that until recently, the country held the seventh largest copper reserves in the world.
“With recent discoveries in Sungun and the addition of 1 billion tons of new reserves to the mine in East Azarbaijan Province, as well as the discovery of new reserves in other mines of the company, including Sarcheshmeh, Miduk and a new mine near Sarcheshmeh in Kerman Province, the volume of the company's copper reserves has increased from 18 billion tons to 19 billion tons,” Behrouz Rahmati was also quoted as saying by Fars News Agency.
Sungun Complex, located in East Azarbaijan Province, is Iran’s largest copper mine.
Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex is the world’s second largest open cast copper mine located in Kerman Province. It also contains substantial amounts of molybdenum, gold and other rare metals.
“According to the United States Geological Survey’s latest report, following these explorations, the ranking of our country has risen to fifth place after Chile, Australia, Peru and Russia,” Rahmati said.
