“The mine, which has come on stream with an investment of 1.25 trillion rials ($5.3 million) in local currency in addition to €1.2 billion, produces sulfur, lead and zinc ore,” Khodadad Gharibpour, deputy industries minister, told IRNA.
He said the annual production capacity of the newly-launched mine can be boosted by 50% to reach 180,000 tons per year.
Gharibpour emphasized the need for minimizing the export of raw minerals and said, “The new mine’s total output will go through the processing chain to gain sufficient added value.”
Operations of Angouran Lead and Zinc Mineral Complex are categorized in the three sections of open mine, underground mine and travertine construction stone.
From a broader viewpoint, Gharibpour said that prior to the mine’s inauguration, the country’s zinc production capacity was 208,000 tons per annum.
“The figure can be pushed up to 600,000 tons annually,” he added.
This indicates that the official forecasts of boosting zinc and lead mineral production are gradually being met.
According to the latest data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, major Iranian lead and zinc producers extracted 211,304 tons of ores during the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 20-June 20) to register a 2% rise compared with the corresponding period of last year.
The data suggest that Angouran Lead and Zinc Complex accounted for the highest share of the total output with 195,860 tons to register a 1% growth year-on-year. Nakhlak Lead and Zinc Plant accounted for 15,444 tons of the total output, indicating a 7% increase YOY.
Stats also show that Angouran Lead and Zinc Complex and Nakhlak Lead and Zinc Plant extracted 89,981 tons of ores during the month to June 20, indicating a 14% rise YOY.
The two producers extracted an aggregate of 977,343 tons of ores in the last fiscal year that ended on March 19, 2020.
Zinc is used in alloys such as brass, nickel, silver and aluminum, and also in galvanizing steel structures. The metal is widely used in the manufacture of products such as paint, rubber, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastic, ink, soap, batteries, textile and electrical equipment.