SCI: 6,861 Mines Active

EghtesadOnline: Out of 10,170 mines in Iran, 6,861 are active and 3,309 are inactive, according to the latest data announced by the Statistical Center of Iran.

News ID: ۷۸۶۶۱۳

06 July 2021

Of the 6,861 active mines, 6,449 mines were engaged only in production activities, 289 mines were both operational and conducted exploration work and 123 were operational, as they were being equipped.

From the 3,309 inactive mines, 289 were only being equipped, 60 mines operated for less than 30 days, 513 mines had been permanently closed, 208 were temporarily closed and 430 had other reasons for inactivity.

Some other causes of inactivity are mine blockage, market stagnation, lack of licenses and legal and environmental problems.

Statistics were collected from February 19 to May 1 in the fiscal 2021-22, IRNA reported.

Iran’s mineral reserves currently stand at 60 billion tons, more than half of which are proven.

Iran is home to 68 types of minerals.

According to the United States Geological Survey, Iran holds the world's largest zinc, ninth largest copper, 10th largest iron ore, fifth largest gypsum and barite, and 10th largest uranium reserves.

Overall, Iran is home to more than 7% of global mineral reserves.