According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, mines have long been considered one of the most important economic capacities of societies; From coal mines to mines of precious metals such as gold, copper, zinc and aluminum and other rocks and minerals that have always been of interest to humans and sometimes the same capacities have caused change in the world.

Yazd is considered as the paradise of our country's mines because the diversity of its mineral elements in the country and even at the international level is unique and based on the capacity of these mines, large industries with huge investments such as steel have been formed in it, but to what extent? Has the mining economy of Yazd caused a change in this province?

In this regard, we must refer to the history of Yazd mines, when the first mines of the province, including iron ore, lead and zinc mines and other minerals began their activities, and along with the local forces of these areas, a wave of migration to the province gradually Happened.

Employment and development of mining-related industries is one of the important achievements of this sector in Yazd province, especially in recent years, and a great change has taken place in the development of this province, but still, although less than before, we see less crude sales in the province and disappearance. We are the capitals of our province and country without developing the infrastructure of downstream industries.

"Mohammad Saleh Jokar," the representative of the people of Yazd and Ashkzar and the head of the Mining Faction in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, says about the efforts made to prevent the sale of raw mines: "During the last 42 years, at some point in time, we were the only exporter of iron ore in Yazd. It was also exported abroad.

Referring to recent investments in the province to complete the production and processing chain of mines, he says: The completion of this chain in the form of concentrate, pellets and finally steel production in Yazd with the investment of the private sector has been pursued during these years.

However, we must not forget that mines are depletable resources, and this has been repeatedly mentioned by environmental activists and academics; Mansour Mahinizadeh, a faculty member at Yazd University's Faculty of Economics, warns of the province's loss of capital in the form of mining development, stressing that sooner or later the province's mining-based economy must give way to industries such as tourism and services. But on that day, the body of the land of Yazd was torn to pieces and there was no capital left.

Jokar, a representative of Yazd, also confirmed the loss of huge investments in the province at a low price, saying: "Mines are finite, and perhaps in this period after the exploitation of rich mines such as iron ore in Yazd, the completion of the processing and production chain can partially compensate this issue." .

He adds: "Minerals may not be exported anymore and we will process them inside the province, but part of this process is also done outside the province, which due to limited resources and belonging to all the people of the province, these investments should be made with Produce and supply the highest value.

The need to invest in mining industries in Yazd

Completing the processing chain is definitely necessary to prevent the sale of raw materials, and just as the Ministry of Silence has restrictive laws regarding the sale of raw materials in the mines, the completion of this chain must be accelerated, but technology is the most important issue in this regard.

The private sector has repeatedly demanded the conditions for facilitating the start-up of the complementary and downstream industries of the mines, but it seems that in addition to the shortcomings in this category, rents in this area have intensified the slowdown in investment in this area.

Although steel in Yazd province is partially involved in downstream industries, but still zinc, aluminum, copper and other mining capacities of Yazd as the safest province in the country for investment need to attract investment in this sector and many times some industrial activists in the province such as "Alireza Chaichi" The head of Iran Alloy Steel Company in Yazd has demanded this from the senior officials of the province.

In an interview with ISNA, Chaichi emphasizes; This completion of the production chain is a need according to the capacities within the province, and in this regard, the industries and mines of the province should be able to complement each other's needs.

In this regard, "Mohammad Saleh Jokar", a representative of Yazd in the parliament, emphasizing that the existing capacity in this chain should be an opportunity for the province and the people in order to advance and develop the country, tells ISNA: In the field of processing minerals, especially steel, the province does not receive significant profits.

"The difference between the price of iron ore and the final product in its production chain is very significant, and we are losing our valuable assets," he said, referring to rents in iron ore sales, mining and unreal. We are of little value.

He points out that due to the existing labor force and national capital, not much wealth has been produced for the country in the field of mines, he emphasizes: Its added value is essential.

Emphasizing the creation of upstream industries in the province in the field of zinc and aluminum production, which have a higher added value than iron and steel, he says: industries with job creation and significant income for the province should be considered.

Jokar points to the Mehdiabad lead and zinc factories as an important capacity for the province and reminds: Although in the past, this sector has been neglected in Etan, but due to the entry of the private sector, we see good measures in this regard.

End of incompetent and unprofessional management of Yazd mines

In spite of all this, another important issue has added to the problems of the mines, and that is the management, which is sometimes selective and with a political view and the selection of non-native and non-specialized people and has led to the monopoly of national capital in the hands of this group of people. The practice has left many mines with such management inactive and only renewing their licenses; An issue that in the current economic climate should be seen more as a national threat and an opportunity to create employment.

"Ali Ali Talebi," the governor of Yazd, confirms the closure and semi-closure of many mines in Iran's second mining hub and the reason for it: A number of companies and large mines want to invest in the mining sector and can activate the closed mines, but unfortunately because The zones are in the hands of those who do not have enough financial capacity in this regard and are not willing to hand over to stronger mines, this has not been achieved so far.

He continues: "According to the previous routine, the owners of inactive mines in Yazd will renew their licenses after the expiration date of the license, and this wrong cycle unfortunately caused the mining boom in the province to be delayed, but fortunately the government has stopped this process and licensed other people." Who could not activate the mine within the deadline, will not be extended.

"Mohammad Saleh Jokar," the head of the mining faction, also emphasizes in this regard: "There are necessary laws in this regard, but we have problems in implementing the laws in the industry and mining sector, so that currently 50% of the assigned mines are not active."

Emphasizing that the Ministry of Silence should dismiss those who have stopped mining for a long time, he said: "These mines should be reactivated, which, of course, the High Council of Mines is working on."

Vacancy of knowledge of foundations in the mining sector

Mines are not the only ones involved in such problems. Sometimes the abandonment of national agencies, from natural resources to some other agencies such as the Atomic Energy Organization on the rich areas of the province is one of the complaints that the provincial authorities have repeatedly raised to remove obstacles to Yazd mineral development. , "Mohammad Reza Alamdar" the head of the Samat Organization of Yazd has also mentioned this issue many times, but in general, where is our problem that we are not able to use the areas that are sometimes in the circle of other devices?

Unfortunately, despite the effective measures taken to develop knowledge-based science in Yazd province, the vacancy of mines is still clearly visible among the knowledge-based, so that "Mohammad Reza Babaei", one of the economic experts of the province, also referred to this missing link. he does.

Mines such as Darreh Barberry Mine and new iron ore anomalies in Ardakan are capacities that economic experts and officials have repeatedly referred to as Yazd oil wells and very effective in developing employment in the province, but these capacities are ignored due to Lack of up-to-date technology for proper operation and with minimal damage to the environment, they can not be used.

We see this problem in the country while countries such as the United States, Australia and European countries use the capacity of mines using the most advanced technology, the highest utilization with the least damage to the environment.

Knowledge-building is an issue that, although it seems to have been considered in the scientific and academic centers of the province, but still the wear and tear of technology and machinery is still an issue that most miners are struggling with.

"Saeed Afzalipour," the head of the Yazd Mining House, in a recent meeting with the Minister of Silence in the province, said that the wear and tear of Yazd mining technology and machinery is a problem for the province and called for serious attention to this area.

It seems that the exploitation of new mines in the absence of technology can not be very economical not in the province but in the country, and instead of trying to exploit more mines, it is necessary to take action in the field of adjacent mining industries and knowledge-based mining to The economic value of existing mines should reach a level that has the highest added value.

* ISNA