IRNA � Despite the fact that 5% of Iran�s gross domestic product is from mine sector, 22% of the exports is related to this field, an official said.

�Mineral industry is regarded as grounds for developing the country,� Head of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) Mahdi Karbasian said in a press conference on Sunday.

He referred to mine as one of the main sectors of the economy of resistance.

IMIDRO is a major state-owned holding company active in the mining sector in Iran. It has 8 major companies and 55 operational subsidiaries active in steel, aluminium, copper, cement and mineral exploitation fields.