Deputy Minister and Chairman of the Board
of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO),
Mehdi Karbasian, maintains that rapid technological changes suggest essential
needs in mining and its associated industries, and ultimately lead us to
acquire up-to-date knowledge in the exploration, extraction and processing
fields. He emphasized that the reserves of the main open-pit mines in Iran are
coming to an end shortly, so underground mine is the only
available choice for the time being.
According to him, achieving major goals such as the 55mt of steel and 440,000t
of copper have highlighted the issue of reliable mineral resources. He also referred
to the technologies introduced by foreign consultants to the country's mining
industry in recent years, particularly after the agreement between the E3/EU+3
and Iran on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
What has recently led us to employ new
technologies in various economic sectors, including mining and its associated industries?
A brief look at the technological changes
in a recent decade shows that previously it took many years for a change to
occur but nowadays everything is facilitated. The universal phenomenon is a
part of today's
business including mining and industry.
The presence of the cellphone in modern life is a symbol of rapid change. We
are experiencing an era where the competition has intensified and to survive;
the companies are forced to adapt to new changes and employ emerging technologies.
What are the opportunities and threats
in Iran's mining sector?
In the mining sector, for instance, there
has been a decline in the valuable minerals and reserves with high alloy
content. These mines were mostly open-pitted. Over the past decade, Angouran
Zinc Mine,
Zanjan province, was the primary source
of raw materials for the zinc industry in Iran.
However, the evaluations indicate that
the life of the open-pit mine ends in the coming years.
Consequently, the 480,000t capacity of
zinc ingot production cannot be supported by the mine. Other detailed reports
also indicate that the major iron ore and copper mines in Iran are facing the
same problem.
As a result, the issue of underground
mines has come up for discussion for a while, but the shift from open-pit to
underground mining will be based on new technologies.
The aerial geophysics survey of some of Interview
these open mines has not even been carried out systematically because this type
of exploration was previously done by using a helicopter or aircraft. However,
satellites can detect thousands of meters depth.
What are the changes occurred in
Iran's mining technologies in recent years?
Over the past years, we have cooperated with
foreign and local reputable companies and qualified experts in the field of exploration.
International consultants from Australia, Canada, Germany, Britain, and
other countries, having the latest mining
and industrial technologies, were the main contributors to Iran's exploration
projects. The increase in the deposits of iron ore, coal, gold and even zinc,
over the past two
years, was due to applying new
technologies. The exploratory plan incepted in 2014 led to the exploration of
400 new anomalies. Our estimate suggests that 350mt iron ore, 400mt coal, and
50t gold have been added to the Iranian reserves. Moreover, a great attempt is
made to protect the environment. To
improve environmental standards, IMIDRO has
asked the subsidiary companies to engage foreign experts as consultants.
Since last year, a Norwegian consultant
has been hired for Parsian Port Project, West of Hormozgan province. Likewise,
in the production and processing plan of titanium, an Australian consultant was
used.
This unique project was halted for many decades
and finally was undertaken in Iran. Also, feasibility study of some projects including
the bauxite mines in Guinea-Conakry, and Nepheline Syenite and Zinc of
Mehdiabad Mine are updated by a foreign consultant.
There are some news that due to the crucial
issue of water consumption in Iran, some steel plants intend to cut the consumption by developing new
plans. Can you explain about the projects?
One of the great consequences of JCPOA was
cooperation with Kobe Steel Ltd., a major Japanese steel manufacturer, aiming
to reduce water consumption in Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) production by using
MIDREX process.
Once the plan is implemented in Iran,
about 40% reduction will be achieved in the water consumption of the mentioned plants which is significant
considering the climate of Iran.
Are we going to witness applying
modern technologies in new projects and plants?
According to the strategic plans,
designing the production lines, machinery, and other new equipment will be in
line with declining water, electricity and gas consumption. Indeed, some
fundamental reforms will be adopted in the old production lines to cut energy consumption.
How do you evaluate the role played by
JCPOA in this regard?
In fact, I can emphasize that a
significant part of the negotiations conducted to enhance the technology of
exploration, extraction, processing, and production of sponge iron and other
products was owing to the
JCPOA. The point to be borne in mind is
that IMIDRO is no longer included in the blacklist of sanctions. When the
sanctions were lifted, there was an increase in technical cooperation between
Iran and other countries.
Of course, over the past years, Iranian experts
were successful in acquiring technical knowledge in new areas such as launching
the first pilot plant for the production of petroleum coke, the production and
extraction of rare earth elements, and the production of the first rare earth
alloy ingot. In general, collaboration with foreign companies to improve the
level of technology ranging from exploration to final processing and production
has always been on the agenda.
Source:
Mine&Business TODAY