Aluminum Ingot Production Capacity Doubled

Aluminum ingot production capacity has doubled during the tenure of the ninth and tenth government (2006 to present), said the head of Iranian Mines, Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).

Khodamorad Ahmadi stated the capacity has grown by 235,000 tons since 2005 with the current level at 457,000, IRNA reported.

He said the figure should reach 1.5 million tons by 2025, adding "Fortunately, with the government formulating the policy and making related planning, the target will be attained.

"Currently, contracts have been concluded to procure materials from domestic and foreign sources."

Referring to the new management in Almahdi Aluminum Company, he said supplying the domestic need and then resuming exports should be among the priorities of the new management, adding a balance should be maintained between the two.

Earlier in November, a report by IMIDRO said that export of aluminum and alumina powder exceeded $267 million in the first seven months of the current Iranian year (started March 21).

According to the report the figure indicated a 32-percent increase from the figure for the same period last year.

The report said the country's exports of aluminum ingot and alumina powder reached $201 million during the same period last year.

Iran ranks among the 15 major mineral-rich countries of the world and exports industrial and mineral products to 159 countries, including Iraq, China, the United Arab Emirates, India and Afghanistan. Deputy head of Iran's Geology and Mineral Exploration Organization, Behrouz Borna said recently that Iran ranks first in the Middle East in mineral reserves.

Iran's important mines include coal, metallic minerals, sand and gravel, chemical minerals and salt. Iran has the world's largest zinc and second largest copper deposits and ranks ninth in iron reserves.