Iran’s 8-month iron ore output hits 21.4m tons

TEHRAN,Dec.23(MNA) - Iran produced 21.4 million tons of iron ore in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 20. The figure showed 16 percent growth compared to the same period last year. Iron ore concentrate output stood at 56,400 tons in the 8th calendar month of Aban (ended on November 20). On September 3, a large iron ore concentrate production unit was inaugurated in Iran’s southeastern Kerman province. The plant has the capacity to produce two million tons of iron ore concentrate per annum. Iranian Industry, Mine and Trade Minister Mehdi Ghazanfari has said that Iran holds two percent of the world’s total mineral reserves. He added that the mineral reserves include 12 metal and 36 non-metal ores. Some 5,000 mines are being exploited in the country, he said, adding that around 340 million tons of minerals were extracted in the past year, which ended on March 19.