The Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) said the Mouteh Gold Complex produced 216 kilograms of gold during the first 9 months of the current Iranian year (March 21-December 21), IRNA reported Tuesday.
According to the report, the production of the complex located in the central Isfahan province during the period indicated a 21% increase compared to the similar nine-month duration last year. The mine’s production over the period was reportedly 24% more than what had been initially estimated.
Chah-Khatoun, which is a low-grade mine in Mouteh Gold Complex, has some 350,000 metric tons of 2 gpt (gram per metric ton) minerals. Experts say further developing of the project can yield more than 120 kilograms annually.
Further explorations in the complex have started and are expected to increase the gold reserves to more than 1 million metric tons. Mouteh Gold Complex has an annual capacity of producing 300 kilograms of gold. The complex was established in 1993 based on a contract signed by the Australian company BHP.
Annual gold production by the private sector and government companies was previously 2.5 metric tons. But the inauguration of Zarshooran Gold Mine in the province of West Azarbaijan raised the figure to 5.5 metric tons per year. Apart from producing 10 kilograms of pure gold per day, Zarshooran also produces 1.25 metric tons of silver as well as 0.5 metric ton of mercury per annum.
