Two ECO mining projects assigned to Iran
Iran will lead two joint mining projects at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) after taking responsibility for them at the 10th meeting of the bloc’s mining experts group, state media reported on Wednesday. The projects are a database of mineral resources in ECO member states and international participation in mining activities.
The meeting was hosted by the ECO secretariat in Tehran and held both in person and online, chaired by Mohammad Reza Qasemi, with representatives of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan attending, IRIB reported. It focused on reviewing approved projects and following up on a five-year roadmap for mining cooperation among member states for 2026-2030. Under a decision at the meeting, Iran’s Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization will lead the mineral database project, drawing on Iran’s experience in mapping the distribution of mineral resources in ECO member states. The organization was also tasked with the international mining participation project, aimed at identifying joint exploration and investment opportunities and expanding cross-border cooperation. The move is in line with the organization’s duties under Iran’s seventh development plan, particularly in identifying and using cross-border mining capacities.
Iran is the world’s 15th-largest mineral-rich country, and Iranian officials call mining the backbone of industrial development and say it should replace oil as the primary revenue generator.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of two projects proposed by Iran’s geological survey: a 1:5,000,000-scale map of ECO’s environmental quality index and a catalog and metadata service system for member states. The projects aim to facilitate the exchange of geospatial data and expand regional cooperation in earth sciences and the environment.