Iran produced 9,918,977 metric tons of iron ore during the first six months (21.03.2007-20.09.2007) of the current Iranian year, showing an increase of 10 percent compared with same period of last year - according to the latest data issued by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).
During the six months in question, Iranian mining companies exported 2,225,000 metric tons of iron ore. The two iron ore exporting companies Central Iron Ore Co. and Gol-e-Gohar Iron Ore Co. accounted for 794,000 metric tons and for 1,431,000 metric tons of iron ore exports respectively, showing a year on year increase of four and 31 percent.
Meanwhile, the iron ore apparent consumption in the first six months of current Iranian year stood at the level of 7,693,977 metric tons.
As previously reported by SteelOrbis, the Iranian authorities are targeting to increase the country's production of iron ore to 20 million metric tons of iron ore in the current Iranian year. Of this figure, three to five million metric tons are to be exported since Iran's domestic steel plants do not require more than 15-17 million metric tons.