Iran exported more than 337 million tons of minerals in the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (started March 21), the Iran Customs Administration reported Monday. According to IRNA, the figure is 43.4 percent higher compared with the figure in the same period last year, it said.
Each ton of minerals had an average value of US$ 72, say 22 percent lower than the value reported in the same period last year.
Minerals, in the country's total non-oil exports, captured a 4.6 percent share during the said period which is 0.3 percent higher compared to that of the same period in the previous year, it added.
Iran's proven mineral reserves have been estimated at 27 billion tons and there are 3,800 mines throughout the country, it added.
There are currently over 3,000 mines in operation and some 70,000 people employed in the mining industry, it said.
