Accelerating Mineral Exploration in East Azerbaijan and Monitoring the Tabriz Fault with Modern Technologies
During the provincial visit of the Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade and Head of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization of Iran to East Azerbaijan, new strategies were formulated to enhance the province's mining capacities.
The visit, aimed at accelerating geological transformation projects and signing a cooperation memorandum with the East Azerbaijan Governorate, focused on two key pillars: first, employing advanced technologies to monitor and track the Tabriz Fault, and second, utilizing artificial intelligence and private sector capacities to expedite the mineral exploration process and activate the province’s idle zones.
According to a report by Ma’adan News, East Azerbaijan, as one of the country’s mining hubs, possesses significant potential for developing a mining-based economy. Fatemi-Aqda, Head of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization of Iran, in a meeting with Bahram Sarmast, Governor of East Azerbaijan, while emphasizing the special position of this province, called for faster formulation of the province’s mining roadmap with the support of the region’s senior management.
Smart Monitoring of the Tabriz Fault with Fiber Optic Technology
One of the critical priorities raised during this visit was the management of geological risks with emphasis on the Tabriz Fault. Given the strategic importance of this fault, the Geological Survey Organization announced its readiness to develop specialized studies and use emerging technologies, including “fiber optic” technology, for more precise monitoring of possible changes and increasing the accuracy of scientific data. This measure can serve as a basis for major decision-making in the province’s crisis management.
Transformation in Exploration Based on Artificial Intelligence
The Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization, relying on its 67 years of experience in producing basic geological information, is now pursuing a new approach. Big data analysis collected over more than six decades using artificial intelligence has opened new horizons for targeted exploration. In this regard, the possibility of transferring three mineral zones in the province to the private sector for participation in exploring new reserves has been provided, which can be an effective step toward reducing raw material sales and completing value chains.
Strategic Memorandum for Activating Idle Capacities
In another part of these negotiations, the East Azerbaijan Governorate, emphasizing the identification of 10 economic value chains in the province, introduced mining as one of the main pillars of development. Sarmast, announcing full readiness to remove legal and executive obstacles, emphasized the activation of idle mines and mineral zones.
Key Axes of the Cooperation Memorandum:
- Strengthening laboratory infrastructure: Developing reference earth science laboratories in the northwest region of the country to enhance the accuracy of mineral analyses.
- Human resource supply: Pursuing the resolution of the shortage of specialized personnel in the Tabriz General Directorate of Geology and Mineral Exploration.
- Provincial synergy: Utilizing provincial credits alongside the capabilities of the Geological Survey Organization to advance exploration projects.
The signing of this memorandum between the East Azerbaijan Governorate and the Geological Survey Organization is considered a turning point for the optimal exploitation of mineral reserves and their conversion into added value and sustainable employment, carried out in line with achieving the country’s major goals in the mining sector’s prosperity.