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reportedly said, adding that there were at least “16 gold regions to explore in the country.” "According to the discovery results of these 100 zones, in 21 provinces the existence of gold for mining has been proven, and 12 have reached the certification of mining and exploration phase," he added.
"There are currently 24 active gold mines in the country with fixed reserves of 250 tonnes, and their probable reserves are 340 tonnes," he said.
Zarshuran mine has the country's largest gold reserves. It can produce three tonnes of gold per year. After Zarshuran, Sarigoni mine, when completed, will become one of Iran's most significant locations for reserves. It is to target three tonnes of gold production by the end of the current Persian Year (ends mid-March, 2019). Iran is the 11th biggest producer of gold in Asia and ranks 43rd in the world for gold production.
9.1.11 Renewable energy sector news
Iran’s nominal electricity production capacity has reached 80,000 megawatts (MW), with several small and medium sized power plants having been brought online around the country in recent months, Tasnim News Agency has reported.
Like its predecessor Ahmadinejad administration, the Rouhani administration has supported the development of several different types of power generation models for the vast country of 80mn people through public-private partnership projects. Nuclear, gas, hydroelectric, solar and wind power have been the most popular choices in recent years.
According to the cited data, since the beginning of this year, Iran’s overall power capacity has increased by 1,005 MW.
During the summer months, the country endured successive power cuts throughout its national grid given massive use of air conditioning units amid temperatures of above 40 degrees Celsius.
The government is under increasing pressure to get as many alternative forms of power generation as possible online, with several projects involving working in conjunction with foreign companies.
During the summer, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian said 27 power plant projects, worth IRR70tn (around €1.5bn), would be inaugurated by the summer of 2019.
Hydroelectric power in Iran has come under increasing scrutiny from environmental campaigners due to the impact on surrounding valleys and farming downstream. Water levels at several dams have fallen by 30% on average with the worst affected being around cities like Tehran.
Meanwhile, Iran currently draws roughly 53 MW of power from solar generation, energy ministry data shows. It is attempting to add 932 MW in the next few years in line with deals signed already.
In a bid to grow the renewables industry in the country, Iran has signed several agreements with European, Asian and African solar panel firms in recent years. The government offers a 13-year tax break for investors in the sector.
In late May, Pars Reys Energy Bahar (PREB), a subsidiary of French energy firm Hanau Energies Group, announced the completion of an 8.5 MW photovoltaic power plant located 130 kilometres outside of Tehran.
The French-Iranian project followed one rolled out by Phelan Energy Group from South Africa . It has built a 10 MW solar plant in the small city of Khusf in Iran’s South Khorasan province.
45 IRAN Country Report March 2019 www.intellinews.com