TEHRAN -- Organization of Industries and Mines of Markazi (Central) Province is preparing to issue an exploration permit for a major sodium sulfate mine in the region.

The mine, said to hold the nation’s largest sodium sulfate reserves, is estimated to contain around 132 million tons of 33.78-percent composition (about 46 million tons of pure mineral).

Another sodium sulfate mine had been earlier discovered in the same area, Dasht-e-Miqan. Dasht-e-Miqan is located in a desert area northeast of provincial capital Arak. Currently, a sodium sulfate processing plant is operating in the region.

Following the development measures carried out on the plant, production from the 60,000-ton project (the plant’s nominal capacity) hit 140,000 tons in the past year, the Persian service of IRNA quoted a provincial official on Wednesday.

Sodium sulfate is widely used in the production of detergents, washing powders, paper paste, glass, textiles and leather industries.

An Exploration Permit (EP) is an initial mode of entry in mineral exploration allowing a qualified person to undertake exploration activities for mineral resources in certain areas open to mining in the country.