BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 10. The funds spent on mining in West Azerbaijan Province, located in northwestern Iran, increased by 89 percent during the first five months of the current Iranian year (from March 20 through August 21, 2024) compared to the same period last year (from March 21 through August 22, 2023), the head of the Industrial, Mining, and Trade Organization of Iran's West Azerbaijan Province Sabir Parnian told reporters, Trend reports.
According to him, 647 billion rials (about $1.52 million) have been spent on 19 mines in Iran's West Azerbaijan Province during five months.
Parnian added that 133 people have been provided with jobs by putting the mentioned number of mines into operation.
The official noted that 507 mines are currently operating in West Azerbaijan province, and about 19 million tons of minerals are produced annually.
He stated that 9.47 trillion rials (about $22.2 million) have been spent on the mentioned number of mines.
“Seven mines in West Azerbaijan province have been restored during five months, and steps have been taken to restore the activity of 50 mines," he said.
Ornamental stones are mainly extracted from mines in Iran's West Azerbaijan province.
To note, Iran has about 12,000 mines. It is reported that mineral reserves in Iran are more than 50 billion tons. Production in Iran's mines averages more than 400 million tons per year.