TEHRAN (FNA)- Director General of the Mineral Office of the Iranian Industries Ministry Mohammad Fatemian said that Iran produced nearly 129,000 tons of copper cathodes in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 22).
�Based on the Iranian industries ministry' strategy for copper production, it is predicted for Iran to be able to produce 850,000 tons of copper cathode in future,� Seyed Mohammad Fatemian announced.

A total of 34 copper mines are operating in Iran, which comprise almost five percent of the global copper resources.

�The installed capacity in downstream copper industries such as wire staples, pipes and the like is 940,000 tons,� he said, regretting that the productivity of this sector is only 20 percent due to low consumption of such products.

Fatemian noted that Iran produced 156,993 tons of copper anode and 523,598 tons of copper concentrates during the period.

�Based on international studies, 20 downstream manufacturing companies are on stream throughout Europe, while in Iran, 120 downstream copper units are working,� he said.

The official noted that in order to boost copper production capacity, new investment and development plans are inevitable.

Fatemian predicted that small mines will help produce 200,000 tons of concentrates, which require investments worth $625 million.

�Although copper exports will continue, domestic need is prioritized,� he said.

Copper complexes of Sarcheshmeh, Sungun and Miduk are the main copper mines of Iran respectively.

By Fars News Agency

 

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