Iran mined 14,900 tonnes of lead and zinc during November 22 to Decemver 21, indicating a 2.4% growth compared with the figure for the same period last year, which was 14,600 tonnes.

Some 12,900 tonnes of zinc were mined during the same period, 2.4% higher than the figure for the same duration of the past year, IRNA reported. Some 2,000 tonnes of lead were mined in the said time span, showing no difference over the same period of the preceding year.

It added that Iran mined about 104,400 tonnes of zinc in the first nine months of current Iranian year (started March 21, 2011), showing a 7.5% increase compared with the figure for the corresponding period of the preceding year which was 97,100 tonnes.

According to the report some 15,700 tonnes of lead were also mined during the same period indicating a growth of 12.1% as compared to the figure for the corresponding period of a year ago which was 14,000 tonnes.

Iran has the world's largest zinc reserves and second largest reserves of copper. It also has important reserves of iron, uranium, lead, chromites, manganese, coal and gold.

(Sourced from www.zawya.com)