Hamedan Expands Mineral Exploration, Emerges as Iran’s Gemstone Pilot
The acting deputy for mining and mineral industries at IMIDRO has announced the expansion of mineral exploration activities across 14,000 square kilometers of Hamedan Province, with 60 promising areas identified and the province selected as a pilot region for the country’s gemstone development program.
Speaking at a meeting of the Government-Private Sector Dialogue Council in Hamedan Province, Ehsan Azizi emphasized the important role of private-sector investors and businesses in production, employment and economic development.
He also pointed to electricity and fuel imbalances as major challenges facing the mining and production sectors, stressing the need for effective and practical measures to reduce their impact on economic activities.
Azizi noted that Hamedan Province covers an area of approximately 19,000 square kilometers, of which 14,000 square kilometers have so far been placed under exploration by IMIDRO across six exploration zones.
According to him, 60 promising mineral areas have been identified within these six zones. Eighteen areas were initially transferred to the provincial authorities, while exploration license applications were submitted for the remaining 42 areas.
He added that 16 exploration licenses have been issued by the province so far, with one of the licenses progressing to the mining operation permit stage and currently undergoing the investor جذب process. Four other exploration licenses have also been finalized in cooperation with the provincial Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade authorities.
At present, IMIDRO has 11 active exploration licenses in Hamedan, five of which have entered advanced stages including drilling, core sampling, trenching and supplementary exploration.
Azizi also announced the issuance of nine new exploration licenses, adding that another nine licenses are currently being processed in cooperation with the provincial government and other relevant authorities. Applications have also been submitted for exploration rights in 10 additional areas.
He called for faster procedures for issuing exploration permits and urged organizations such as the Natural Resources and Environment authorities to provide greater cooperation in order to accelerate exploration activities.
Azizi stressed that IMIDRO and its affiliated companies face no financial limitations in carrying out exploration projects in Hamedan and are ready to operate at full capacity if additional prospective areas are introduced.
Developing Hamedan’s Silica Value Chain
Referring to the province’s silica resources, Azizi said a research study has been launched, with the Karaj Research Center currently examining suitable industries for completing the silica value chain.
The objective, he said, is to develop processing industries, prevent the export of raw materials and increase the value added generated from silica resources within the province.
Hamedan Selected as Gemstone Pilot Province
Azizi also highlighted the implementation of IMIDRO’s gemstone development program in Hamedan, saying that 18 promising gemstone areas have been identified across the province.
IMIDRO has financed exploration activities in these areas and, following approval by the Supreme Council of Mines, the areas will be made available to businesses and investors active in the gemstone sector.
He added that three gemstone-cutting training centers and one gemological laboratory have been equipped as part of the program.
Activities in this sector cover the entire value chain, ranging from training and exploration to processing and market access.
Azizi said Hamedan has been selected as IMIDRO’s pilot province for the gemstone sector, adding that the experience gained from the project could later be applied in other provinces with gemstone potential.
Support for Mining Machinery Modernization
Addressing challenges faced by mining operators, Azizi pointed to aging machinery and rising operational costs as major concerns.
He said IMIDRO, in cooperation with the Mining Activities Insurance Fund, is prepared to provide targeted support to Hamedan Province for the modernization of mining machinery.
Azizi concluded that expanding exploration activities, completing mineral value chains, modernizing mining equipment and developing the necessary infrastructure could help attract investment, increase production and create sustainable employment in the province.