EghtesadOnline: Iran is on track to launch a new aluminum smelter early next year that would boost the country’s output by 70%, making it self-sufficient in the metal by taking advantage of its rich natural gas reserves.

EghtesadOnline: Iran didn’t need to take a cue from Saudi Arabia’s success with its Alcoa joint venture Ma’aden Aluminum smelter and downstream operations, as just about every Middle Eastern natural-gas producer with production to spare has invested in aluminum smelting as an easy win outlet for vast natural gas reserves.