Copy in clipboard...
IMIDRO chief signals openness to Indian investment
Speaking at a meeting with Indian investors on Sunday, Aghajanlou announced that the organization would put 300 exploration licenses up for tender. “Qualified companies will be able to take over mines through a legal auction process, and alongside them establish processing plants,” he said.
Aghajanlou highlighted opportunities in IMIDRO’s southern economic zones, which he described as offering strong advantages in production, exports and logistical benefits over inland sites. He also cited investment in the Halegan and Shahini gas fields as a key potential energy supply source for mining projects.
The Halegan and Shahini gas fields are two relatively new and strategically important natural gas reserves located in Iran’s southern Fars Province. These fields are part of Iran’s broader push to expand domestic energy production especially for industrial sectors like steel and petrochemicals.
The IMIDRO chief noted that cooperation between Iran and India could expand into alumina and coal, stressing that Iran’s mining and metals exports already stood at $14 billion. “Iran’s mining and metals sector is ready to attract foreign investment, and there are many opportunities for broader cooperation between Iran and India,” he said.
Amir-Noujan Younesian, IMIDRO’s director of investment and economics, later said Indian firms could play a role in new industrial projects in Iran, including seamless pipe production, alumina plants, and solar power stations.
India already has several strategic projects in Iran, most prominently the development of Chabahar Port and related infrastructure in the southeast, where New Delhi has pledged $250 million in credit.