Iranian Mining Industries Development & Renovation Organization has signed a massive contract with the private sector worth over $130 million for equipping and exploring Khomroud Coal Mine in Kerman province with the aim of producing 750,000 tons of raw coal every year. Upon completion, the three-year project is expected to increase domestic annual production of coking coal–an essential ingredient in steel production–by 400,000 tons, Mehr News Agency reported. In the signing ceremony of the contract, Mehdi Karbasian, the head of IMIDRO, said: “Khomroud Coal Mine has significant advantages for investment. The growing demand for coking coal among steelmakers has encouraged several projects to increase the production of this mineral in the country, including the current contract.” The project will create 1,000 direct and 4,000 indirect employment opportunities, Karbasian added. Kerman Province is the largest coal producer in the country. Khomroud Coal Mine is estimated to have 38 million tons of reserves close to the earth’s surface.
