“These zones are the result of IMIDRO’s exploration operations that started in 2014. Fifteen were chosen out of 400 and are ready for local, foreign or joint investments,” the official was quoted as saying by ILNA. The 15 zones, spanning over 5,000 kilometers, are located in Fars, Kerman, Hormozgan and Yazd provinces and are considered to be rich in iron ore and chromite reserves, according to Financial Tribune. Iran is home to 68 minerals with more than 37 billion tons of proven and 57 billion tons of potential reserves, including major deposits in coal, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, uranium and gold, IMIDRO reported on its website.