Khor-Biabanak Mine in Central Iran to Produce 100k tons of Potash by 2027
“Last year, the complex recorded a 45% growth compared to the same period three years ago with the production of 37,000 tons of potassium chloride,” Shahami was quoted by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) as saying.
He added that production of potash in the complex will increase to 100,000 tons in the next five years.
Shahami said that last year, the highest mineral extraction record was registered during the exploitation period of Khor-Biabanak mines, adding that nearly 20,800,000 cubic meters of brine containing minerals was extracted last year which shows a 12% increase compared to the previous year.
Iran has about 37 billion tons of proven mineral reserves and 57 billion tons of potential reserves, worth $800 billion according to data on IMIDRO’s website.
The extractives industry, however, is underdeveloped and mineral products account for only 0.6 percent of Iran's GDP.
Oil has been the primary source of foreign currency for decades, but with the industry having come under a strict sanctions regime, mining is emerging as a new revenue source because the immense diversity of the sector makes it much harder to sanction.
4155/v
