Iran is one of the countries that is divided into different geographical regions, which is why it is rich in different types of minerals, some of which are expensive and considered an important source of income. The latest map of Iran's mines proves that the Kurdistan part of Iran gets the largest share of this precious resource.
According to Goldnews, 68 types of minerals with trade value are known in Iran. One of the precious metals is gold, which has been produced for several years and the reserves of the product are increasing every year.
Iran is ranked 15th in the world in terms of mineral resources and has 320 tons of refined gold reserves. Iran has been producing several tons of gold annually for some time and plans to increase production to 12 tons a year in the coming years and 25 tons in the long term.
Iran's largest and most important gold mines are located in the East part of Kurdistan and the city of Tikab, which belongs to Urmia province, is the largest gold mine in the country. The rock and sand of the mine are of good quality and produce at least five grams of gold per ton.
In 2012, three more gold mines were discovered in Saqqez, Sina province, with gold reserves expected to reach 16 tons.
Urmia province is one of the most important provinces rich in gold mines and more than 700 kilograms of gold is exported from this province to the world annually.
A significant part of Urmia's gold production is used domestically and the rest is used for investment purposes. Urmia province can become one of the most important gold production centers not only in Iran but also in the world provided that investment is made in this sector.
In 2014, it was determined that the Zerashoran gold mine has 20 million tons of gold stone and the Zerashoran gold factory is considered the largest gold production factory in Iran, producing three tons of gold annually.
Zarshoran is 35 kilometers from Tikab and 15 kilometers from Takhti Suleiman. According to the investment, the mine should provide jobs for 1250 people. In addition to this mine, gold is produced in Qulqula in Sina, Khorapay in Piranshahr, Saqqez, and more other places in the East part of Kurdistan.
There are 400 different mines in Sina province, but gold mines are the most important, and more than 50% of Iran's gold production is produced in Sina province.
Gold has also been discovered in other provinces of Iran, some of which produce some annually, but their production is low and cannot be compared to that of Kurdistan. Gold mines have been discovered in East Azerbaijan, Kerman, Razavi Khorasan, Isfahan, Hamadan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and several other parts of Iran.
A gold mine is under investigation and estimated to contain 24 tons of gold has been discovered near the city of Taftan in Sistan and Baluchestan province.
Last year, Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade Reza Mohtashamipour told the media that production had not yet begun at the new mine, but said the volume of gold-bearing rock and sand would reach 50 million tons.
In general, it has been proven that the main source of gold production in Iran is in Kurdistan, which can be developed to increase job opportunities and develop the region, but this has not been done. The profit goes to the central parts of the country and nothing to the local people.
