Domestic, Foreign Investors Attend Mining Exploration: Official

Tehran, Sept 11, IRNA - A deputy minister Wednesday said mining projections made in the 11th government are focused on exploration on systematic basis with the help of private sector and domestic and foreign investors. Industry, Mines and Trade Deputy Minister Jaafar Sarqini said traditional exploration methods should be put aside and advantage should be taken of new technology in this regard. Pointing to the advantage of mines in Iran he said Iran is a hub for geologists and this is constantly mentioned at mining faculties outside the country that access to geological phenomena is much easier in Iran than in any other country. According to Sarqini Iran has little plant covering and this makes exploration much easier. On the other hand, Iran is a young country in terms of geology and thus various minerals are available. Iran is considered one of the main 10 mineral countries of the world and in the calendar year 1392 (March 2013 – March 2014) some 420 million tons of minerals were explored from 5,400 active mines in the country.