Sarcheshmeh and Miduk copper mines produced 35 million tons of copper sulfide ore in the last fiscal year (ended March 20, 2017), according to Mohammad Hassani, chairman of National Iranian Copper Industries Company’s branch in the southeastern Kerman Province, where the two mines are located.
Close to 775,000 tons of copper concentrate were extracted out of the mined ores, which were processed into 220,000 tons of copper ingots, he was quoted as saying by IRNA.
NICICO, which operates the two mines, is the leading copper producer in the Middle East and North Africa region, and holds close to 14% of Asia’s copper deposits and about 3% of global reserves.
It is currently the world’s 16th largest copper producer. Iran holds about 4 billion tons of estimated copper reserves, according to the Geological Survey of Iran.
Add new comment
Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints