Tehran, Conakry to expand mineral cooperation

TEHRAN, May 24 (MNA) -- The Iranian industries and mines minister and his Guinean counterpart in a meeting in Tehran on Sunday called for further cooperation in mining industry.

Ali-Akbar Mehrabian met with the minister of mines and geology from Guinea-Conakry and pointed out that Iran has made good progress in producing aluminum and stated that its production will exceed 900,000 tons.

Mehrabian underlined Iran’s need for bauxite, and said that a plan has been devised to import it from that country.

The Guinean minister explained that aluminum is a strategic product which has huge demand in his country, and added that Iran’s cooperation with his country in this field would lead to stronger ties between the two nations.

Mahmoud Thiam elaborated that Iran has a lot of experience in excavating mines, and added that Guinea- Conakry has rich iron, gold, nickel, and especially, bauxite mines.

He stated that his country is ever ready to export bauxite to Iran.

Guinea-Conakry ranks the first with around 40 billion tons proven reserves of bauxite which comprises two-third of the world's bauxite reserves.