North Khorasan Marble Mine Activity Decreased
Deputy Minister of Industries and Mines of North Khorasan: By adopting a 20% duty on export of mineral raw materials, North Khorasan marble mines are operating at lower capacity than in the past.
According to Iran Stone Exhibition, Rezazadeh, deputy minister of industry and mines of North Khorasan, pointing out that the law also applies to mines in North Khorasan, added: "If marble is exported raw, 20% duty should be paid.
Responding to a question that Chinese and Italian miners say do not accept marble processed domestically, he said: "We are looking for a private processing plant to be set up in the province by the private sector." But so far, no investment has been announced to set up this production unit.
Rezazadeh continued: The most important factor affecting the reluctance of investors to set up a mineral processing unit in North Khorasan is to provide facilities at a rate of 18%, which is a high rate.
He said: The president's visit to North Khorasan was also a necessity, but the facilities provided for investment in this area were 18%.
During the trip, Imidro (Iran's Mines and Minerals Development and Renovation Organization) also pledged investment in the metal mining industry, which does not include marble decorative stones, the official said.
He noted: With the explanations given, it is foreseen that no mineral processing unit will be set up in the province at this time and one should think of mines like marble.
Deputy Minister of Industries and Mines of North Khorasan, pointing out that there are 9 marble mines in the province, said that their production is two thousand tons a year, while the marble reserves in these mines are 500 to 600 thousand tons.
* ISNA
