Three major copper mines extracted more than 12 million tons of copper ore during the first month of the current Iranian year, (started March 21), Eghtesad-News reported.
According to new statistics provided by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, Sarcheshmeh Mine in the southeastern Kerman Province accounted for 56% of the amount by extracting 6.81 million tons of ore while Meydook and Songoon mines together extracted less than half of the amount. The three mines produced an aggregate of 67,867 tons of copper during the period which ended April 20.
Sarcheshmeh also produced some 2 million tons of sulfide ore during the one-month period, indicating a 21,000-ton decline compared to the similar month last year, as well as 12,314 tons of copper anodes, 13,529 tons of copper cathodes and 53 tons of sludge containing gold and silver during the period. The latter indicates an almost 40% increase in comparison with last year’s similar month.
Songoon Mine’s output of copper concentrate was 14,648 tons, registering a 5.3% increase. However, the mine’s cathode output shows a 8.5% decline compared to last year’s similar period in which 420 tons had been produced.
