Iran’s Copper Reserves Claimed to Surpass 21 Billion Tons

Iran’s copper reserves have exceeded 21 billion tons, according to Shahriyar Motavakel, deputy head of the National Iranian Copper Industries Company (NICICO). The reserves are deemed sufficient to meet the country’s targets outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan, though exploration efforts continue to further expand them.

Of the discovered reserves, approximately 16 billion tons are fully extractable and feasible for development, Motavakel stated in an interview with IRIB.

NICICO successfully completed its 2024 exploration plan, which included 250,000 meters of drilling. Looking ahead, the company has set a goal of 500,000 meters of exploratory drilling for the coming year.

Iran ranks fifth globally in terms of copper reserves, further solidifying its position as a key player in the global copper mining industry.