Iran among 20 top countries with rich mineral reserves

Iran is among the top 20 countries with superior mineral reserves.

Announcing this, director of Geology and Mineral Exploration Organization's Exploration Department, Behrouz Borna told IRNA that Iran ranks first in at least ten types of minerals.

Iran is located on proven gold, copper, zinc and iron belt, he noted, adding that currently, some 70 types of minerals are extracted from 5,019 operational mines in Iran.

He added that Iran boasts of 55 billion tons of mineral reserves and has the richest mines in the world.

Borna also said that Ilam province has rich mines in construction materials.

The province also has 400,000 tons of bitumen reserves for producing tar, he said, noting that there are nine active bitumen mines in the province.

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