According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, the diversity and richness of huge mineral reserves has made Iran one of the potential countries in the world in terms of the ability to supply the raw materials needed by industry and Iran's geographical location and geopolitical situation in the region, the possibility of exporting mining industries to all The parts of the world are accessible.

West Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has an important part of the country's reserves in terms of mineral diversity, and in terms of mineral diversity with 51 minerals, the third place in the country, and in terms of mineral reserves with 1 billion and 227 million tons of mineral reserves. It is in the seventh place in the country.

It should be noted that one of the most important and basic economic foundations of any region and country is mineral resources and the role of mines and resources in economic growth is undeniable.

In the meantime, the government of prudence and hope has been able to activate the growth wheel of the mining sector in West Azerbaijan since its inception and provide employment opportunities in this province.

The increase of 700,000 tons of mineral extraction in West Azerbaijan compared to 1392 shows the government's attention and hope for the development of mines.

Annual extraction of more than 16 million tons of minerals in West Azerbaijan

The head of the Industry, Mining and Trade Organization of West Azerbaijan emphasizes that 16 million 534 thousand 538 tons of various minerals are extracted annually from the mines of this province, and this amount was 15 million 758 thousand 970 tons at the beginning of the government. .

Gholamreza Babaei states that this amount of extraction is extracted from 504 mines in the province and sent to processing centers inside and outside the country.

He points out that the amount of investment in these mines is 3,740 billion and 138 million rials.

11% increase in the number of mines in West Azerbaijan

But in addition to increasing the amount of mining in West Azerbaijan in the government of Tadbir and Omid, the number of mines in this province has increased from 455 to 504 mines under the attention of this government, and the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Industries of the West Azerbaijan Industry, Mining and Trade Organization emphasizes this. The definite reserve of these mines is one billion and 227 million and 104 thousand tons.

Parisa Abedpour also points out that the definite reserves of West Azerbaijan mines at the beginning of the government were 1 billion 125 million 501 thousand tons, which in this sector we are witnessing a growth of about 10 percent.

He points out that 68 types of minerals have been identified in the country and 75% of this number is in this province, and with this statistic, there are 51 types of this number in West Azerbaijan, which is in the stage of exploration and exploitation.

Employment of more than 5,000 people in the mining sector of West Azerbaijan

However, the development of the mining sector in West Azerbaijan has been able to create employment for 5,273 people. In this regard, the Deputy Minister of Mining and Mining Industries of the Industry, Mining and Trade Organization of West Azerbaijan believes that mines are important economic drivers in any country. Minerals and the existence of valuable reserves in the province, investing in this sector in the coming years will have a brilliant economic growth for the province.

Abedpour considered the major minerals in the province to be used in industries such as construction, cosmetics, health, steel and oil.

Mineral exploration promises promising employment growth, and this trend is being seriously pursued in West Azerbaijan, prompting officials to seriously pursue progress in the mining sector, with the Governor of West Azerbaijan, as the government's top official, emphasizing this trend.

Mineral exploration promises promising sustainable employment growth in West Azerbaijan

In this regard, the governor of West Azerbaijan believes that the identification of new capacities, development of small mines and the establishment of mining processing units in order to prevent the sale of raw materials are among the strategies of the province's management for sustainable employment growth in this sector.

Mohammad Mehdi Shahriari points out that the discoveries made in the precious metals and other metals sector have drawn good days for the mining field in West Azerbaijan.

He states that the restoration of neglected mineral capacities in West Azerbaijan province will lead to more prosperity in the economy and employment.

Atlas of Mines of West Azerbaijan must be prepared

Given that identifying situations and paying attention to them can facilitate development and access, a comprehensive map of the mines should be prepared, which is also emphasized by the senior government official in West Azerbaijan.

The governor of West Azerbaijan, stating that the province's mineral capacity for investment has not been properly calculated and specified, said: "In order for the private sector to invest in the province's mines, a mine atlas must be prepared, which includes investment capacities and advantages."

Shahriari called employment and profitability in the mining sector necessary to provide the necessary infrastructure for private sector participation and added: "To date, the capacity of mines has not been properly utilized in the development of the province."

The mining sector and downstream industries are the axis of development of West Azerbaijan, but the stone mines of this province face many problems such as selling raw materials and lack of market.

It is necessary to provide facilities with low bank interest rates for working capital, as well as the modernization of mining machinery to improve the performance of the province's mines.

West Azerbaijan is in a good position in terms of mineral reserves, but it still has a long way to go before it can fully exploit the capacities of the mining sector and the mining industry.

The area of ​​West Azerbaijan is covered by three of the twenty zones of systematic exploration of the country, including "Oshnoyeh-Khoy", "Marivan-Mahabad" and "Shahin Dej-Mahneshan".

* IRNA