TEHRAN - The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced on Wednesday that it has produced 30 kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium.

In addition, Iran is extracting uranium ore from the Gechin mine, which is located near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, AEOI Director Ali Akbar Salehi told reporters on Wednesday.
Salehi added that the AEOI can extend the lifetime of the Gechin mine since it is simultaneously extracting uranium ore and conducting exploration operations to find new veins.
“Fortunately, at this stage, we have found some good veins, and we are making extraction preparations,” he stated.
He also said that uranium has been discovered in Saghand and Narigan in Yazd Province but the extraction operations at the two new mines have not begun yet because some preliminary work must be carried out beforehand.
Salehi announced on Monday that the AEOI had started massive operations to explore for uranium in central and southern Iran.
He said Iran decided to explore for uranium in order to become self-sufficient in supplying fuel for the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which came on stream in August.