TEHRAN Director of Mines and Metals Ministry's Industrial Affairs Department Abolqassem Ataei said here that for the first time in the country the amount of domestically-produced zinc ingots have fully satisfied domestic market needs, adding that a part of the output will be exported.
Speaking at a gathering of zinc and lead miners, he estimated that zinc exports would top 10,000 tons with a value of $11 million by the end of the current year (March 20).
Ataei added that the total zinc ingot production stood at 15,000 tons in the first four months of the year, adding that the zinc production capacity was 2,000 tons in 1993-94 compared to the nominal capacity of 95,000 tons this year.
Last year's production stood at 30,000 tons, he said, adding that the domestic need is about 40,000 tons annually with imports filling the gap in the past few years.
Ataei referred to the importance of value added in mining sector and stressed expansion of construction of mineral processing units and export of intermediate and finished goods.
He also pointed to the country's insufficient production capacity of concentrated zinc and lead.
He said although the lead production capacity is about 250,000 tons annually, its production did not surpass 150,000 tons last year.
"Based on official figures Iran ranks 19th and 23rd in the world in terms of zinc and lead reserves, respectively," Ataei noted.
(IRNA)