Page 57 - IRANRptSep21

Iran’s annual mineral exports fall 11% to $7.6bn
Iran’s NICIC says set to add 400,000 tonnes of ‘copper conc’ output
Iran moves into world’s top 10 steel producers ranking
Iran to auction off mines in Tehran province
The value of Iran’s mineral product exports fell 11% y/y to $7.6bn in the 2020/2021 Persian calendar year (ended March 20) at a volume of 55mn tonnes, 21% down year on year, according to the Iranian Mines, Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organisation (IMIDRO), the Financial Tribune reported on May 2.
Tehran has in recent years attempted to boost its mineral exports to help counter dwindling oil sales amid US sanctions. But the coronavirus crisis likely hindered that effort last year.
The data showed steel exports worth $4.1bn and copper exports worth $958mn. A figure of $758mn was given for cement shipments.
The value of mineral product imports was 6% up year on year to $3.4bn at 4.15mn tonnes, 13% up year on year.
National Iranian Copper Industries Co’s (NICIC’s) three copper-related projects are set to come online this year to produce an extra 400,000 tonnes of copper concentrate, according to local media reports.
The projects would bring the privatised company estimated additional revenue of $800mn, according to a Tehran Times report that cited NICIC managing director Ardeshir Sa'd-Mohammadi.
Production of copper concentrate in Iran rose 6% y/y during the 11 months from March 20, 2020 until February 18, 2021 (namely, the first 11 months of the past Iranian calendar year). Over 46mn tonnes of copper concentrate was produced in the time span.
Used as raw materials in copper smelting, copper concentrates have a copper content of about 30% by weight. The remainder consists mostly of sulfur and iron. Copper concentrates are made mostly from sulfide ores.
Iran is now among the top 10 steel producers in the world, according to the World Steel Association (WSA), Mehr News Agency reported.
WSA data showed Iran produced 2.3mn tonnes of steel in February, up 11.5% y/y. That gave it 10th place in the ranking. Also, the country’s steel output was 5mn tonnes in January-February, marking a 10.8% y/y expansion.
China ranked first for steel production in February with 83mn tonnes. India and and Japan were second and third, with 9.1mn tonnes and 7.5mn tonnes, respectively.
Steel production in European Union countries hit 11.9mn tonnes in February 2021.
To export to the EU, Iran must often negotiate claims from European steelmakers of dumping.
Iranian Deputy Minister of Mining, Trade and Industries Ali Abdi has said the state is planning to sell mines in Tehran province using auctions, IRNA reported on May 11.
Most of the 45 mines in Tehran province would be put up for auction, according to the official.
Some 5,666 mines across Iran are currently in operation extracting minerals and metals.
Parties interested in participating in the auctions are asked to record their interest on the website the.mimt.gov.ir. The cut-off date for applications is in June.
Fifteen mines in Qom province, which neighbours Tehran province, are also expected to be up for grabs in the near future.
That province is known for its extraction of marble and other sought after stone types for building and construction.
57 IRAN Country Report September 2021 www.intellinews.com