Major Iranian Copper Mines Register Growth in Output

Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex was the biggest producer with 529,927 tons, up 6% YOY; followed by Sungun Complex with 248,394 tons, up 4% YOY; and Miduk with 115,739 tons, up 1% YOY, Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization’s latest report shows.

Production in the month ending Dec. 21 was 101,708 tons, down 2% YOY.

Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex and Khatoon Abad Copper Refinery produced a total of 228,680 tons of copper anode during the nine months, up 76% YOY. The former had the bigger share with 146,617 tons, up 186% YOY and the latter produced 82,063 tons, up by 4% YOY, according to Financial Tribune.

Copper anode production during the ninth month stood at 26,179 tons, up 16% YOY.

Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex and Miduk Complex produced a total of 178,995 tons of copper cathode from March 21 to Dec. 21, up by 69% YOY. Again, the former had the biggest share with 110,564 tons while the latter produced 68,431 tons.

Copper cathode output during the ninth month reached 20,541 tons, marking a rise of 19% YOY.

Sarcheshmeh and Sungun produced a total of 5,185 tons of molybdenum (each with an output of 3,451 and 1,734 tons respectively) in the nine-month period, which indicates an 18% decrease compared with last year's corresponding period.

Molybdenum output during the month to Dec. 21 totaled 506 tons, going down by 38% YOY.

Copper Concentrate Exports

Latest data show Iran exported 117,103 tons of copper concentrates worth $115.43 million during the five months wnding Aug. 22. 

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, China, South Korea, Philippines and the UAE were the main customers of Iranian copper concentrates during the five-month period.

Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex plans to boost its copper concentrate production capacity from the current 600,000 tons to over 1 million tons by 2022. Established in 1972, the complex operates the open cast Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine in Kerman Province, which is considered the second largest copper deposit worldwide. The mine was first established by the American Anaconda Group until the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, which led to the nationalization of assets and establishment of National Iranian Copper Industries Company. 

NICICO is now the leading copper producer in the Middle East and North Africa region, as it holds close to 14% of Asia’s copper deposits and about 3% of global reserves. The company operates several other copper mines in the country.