2nd mining, mineral industries exhibition opens in southern Tehran
Iran’s ‘mineral paradise’ a push to give momentum to geological tourism
The 2nd specialized exhibition for mining, mineral industries, mining machinery, road construction, civil engineering, related parts, and equipment, as well as the second exhibit for foundry, molding, component manufacturing, machinery, and affiliated industries, opened on Tuesday at Tehran’s Shahr-e Aftab Exhibition Center.
Hosting 100 companies, the four-day event aims to showcase the latest advancements, technologies, and machinery in mining and foundry sectors, providing a unique platform for interaction among producers, experts, investors, and buyers, IRNA reported.
The mining exhibition focuses on mining, road construction, and civil engineering machinery, featuring cutting-edge equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, mining trucks, drilling rigs, and crushing systems.
Concurrently, the foundry, molding, and component manufacturing exhibition highlights innovations in component production, machinery, raw materials, molding tools, and engineering services, playing a pivotal role in advancing Iran’s foundry industry.
The participation of leading companies underscores the event’s importance in strengthening supply chains, reducing import dependency, and enhancing domestic production quality.
Iran’s 81 mineral types
At the opening ceremony, Alireza Shahidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Iran Mineral Production and Supply Company, stated, “Iran boasts diverse mineral resources, with 81 types of minerals. Advanced technologies have been applied to these reserves while preserving their intrinsic value, making them available to industries.”
Shahidi added, “Iran’s geological wonders have led international observers to call it a ‘mineral paradise.’”
Emphasizing that mining should not solely focus on mineral extraction, he added, “We must maximize the use of mines and prioritize tourism in the mineral sector.”
Highlighting Iran’s iron ore production capacity of 165 million tons, Shahidi warned, “Our iron ore reserves will be insufficient within the next decade.”
“Current mining depths are limited to 300–400 meters, while the richest mineral deposits lie at 700 meters. Our mines also hold strategic mineral diversity,” he further explained.
Shahidi stressed the rising global shift toward clean energy and electric batteries, saying, “Lead is no longer prioritized as a mineral resource. Instead, copper and silver are critical for automotive production. We must move beyond cathode production and drive the copper industry toward downstream sectors. For instance, China now produces batteries with 50-year lifespans using copper.”
15th largest mineral producer
Abbas Taqdisinejad, CEO of Shahr-e Aftab Exhibition Center, said during the opening, “Iran’s diverse mineral reserves are a ‘national treasure.’ We must advance in exploration, extraction, and utilization.”
Taqdisinejad highlighted Iran’s position as the 15th-largest mineral-rich country globally, adding, “Mining is the backbone of industrial development and should replace oil as the primary revenue generator. While 26% of Iran’s exports come from minerals, the sector has grown only 1–2% annually in recent years.”
Citing outdated equipment and underutilized domestic and foreign investment potential, he stated, “The 7th Development Plan forecasts 13% growth for mining. Achieving this requires greater coordination among stakeholders to attract investment.”
Taqdisinejad also emphasized the foundry sector’s critical role, noting its “close ties to mining and mineral industries.”