“The discovery activities would be carried out by large companies as a result of organizing a committee,” Said Mr. Gharibpur, IMIDRO’s chairman, pointing out the financial aids coming from the retained earnings of big mining companies for discovery/exploration activities.
According to the Mining Investment Insurance Corporation’s public relations, Khodadad Gharibpur mentioned, in a meeting with stated representatives and the private sector of Fars Province, “Discovery is the first step in developing the mining section. IMIDRO is ready to do the geology studies in Fars province for discovery.”
600 Non-Metal Mines in Fars Province
“Non-metal minerals form a huge part of the mining section in Fars Province, and regarding this, and reviving the small mines in this Province would be IMIDRO’s priority.” The chairman continued, considering the 600 non-metal mines in Fars Province.
Discovery’s High risk for Small Mines
“IMIDRO will be responsible for underground explorations” Continued Mr. Gharibpur, “because we believe discovery has a high risk for small mines. One of the policies is for IMPASCO to take over the execution parts of the activities, and IMIDRO would be in charge of policies and support.”
9 Billion Dollars of Mining Industry Exports
“We had more than 9 billion dollars of mining industry exports last year, while the whole non-oil exports of the country was 40 billion. This means that the mining industry exports formed 20%of the whole non-oil exports of the country.” Mr. Gharibpur said, pointing out the ‘direct employment’ of about 7000 people last year, as a result of the mining section’s job creation. The mining section has to become more competitive in production, as he noted and hoped that “the government wouldn’t enter the production part and let the private section have its own space.”
Launching Salco Company This Year
“The main 1.2 billion dollar Salco project would start running this year,” said the vice minister of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, noting the completion of the 1st phase of the South Aluminum Company (Salco).
IMIDRO is not Opposed to Private Investments
“Transferring the Arvand Coke Production and Ardakan’s Graphite Electrode Project to the mining companies consortium, and also the developing projects of Zarshouran and Kahnooj Titanium shows that IMIDRO is a big support,” said the vice minister, emphasizing on the fact that IMIDRO is not opposed to private investments, “this means that the Iranian Mines & Mining Industries Development & Renovation is following the 44th principle of the constitution (privatization).”
“Fars”, Rare Earth Elements Program
“We are creating new technologies in mining section” said Mr. Gharibpur, “Iranian engineers have reached the technical knowledge now.”
“Planning for the analysis of Fars Province’s capacities regarding rare earth elements is going to be among the programs,” continued Mr. Gharibpur, pointing to the studies on the rare earth elements done by the Iran Minerals Processing Research Center.