Behrouz Borna told a meeting that any economic movement in the country starts with exploration of mines which is one of the main attractions for getting rid of the single-product oil-dependent economy.

Studies conducted on 7% of the span of the country have resulted in the location of 57 billion tons of mineral reserves of which about 37 billion tons are definite and the remaining are probable reserves, he added.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chairman of Iran Mine House, Mohammad Reza Bahraman said Iran’s position in terms of mineral reserves is unique in the Middle East, adding that the value of the located reserves is estimated at above $770 billion.

Under the present condition, he said, the located mineral reserves in the country have been estimated at about 60 billion tons and three percent of the world mineral reserves are in Iran.

The official also said that under the status quo efforts should be made to direct investments towards new explorations in the mining sector, adding that mines can play a major role in substituting oil in the budget.


Bahraman further remarked that cutting of dependence on oil revenues, paying special attention to other strategic industries such as steel, copper and cement and forming an economy dependent on domestic capability is tantamount to resistance against any inside and outside damage which will be attained through the will of the sympathizers in the country.



Iran stands in the 10th place in terms of diversity of mineral reserves and in the 15th place in terms of explored reserves in the world.