Iran’s 18 gold mines hold more than 340 tons of gold deposits, with the highest amount of the precious mineral found in West Azarbaijan Province, according to deputy head of the Geological Survey of Iran. Noting that West Azarbaijan is located on the “gold belt” stretching from Europe and crossing Turkey and Iran to reach Pakistan, Behrouz Borna added that the province accounts for over 0.5% of the global proven gold reserves, IRNA reported.