BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
The production of sponge iron at the Sefid Dasht Steel Company in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (southwestern Iran) increased by 10 percent during the first 5 months of the current Iranian year (March 20-August 21, 2020) compared to the same period last year, head of the company Imam Soleimani said, Trend reports citing Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province’s official website.
The official said that the company produced more than 325,000 tons of sponge iron during the reporting period.
Soleimani stressed that despite the fact that the company operated with a minimum workforce because of the ongoing global pandemic, there was an increase in production due to the timely supply of raw materials.
Furthermore, a plant is being built at Sefid Dasht Steel Company that will produce 1 million tons of steel a year.
As reported, 65 percent of Sefid Dasht Steel Company shares belong to Mobarekeh Steel Company and 35 percent to Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).
Iran continues to monitor the coronavirus situation in the country. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 361,100 people have been infected, and 20,776 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 311,300 have reportedly recovered from the disease.
The country continues to apply strict measures to contain further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease. The Islamic Republic announced its first cases of infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.
The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019.
