Mining Is a Strategic Pillar of National Sovereignty and an Alternative to Oil
The message from Seyed Mohammad Atabak, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, on the occasion of National Industry and Mining Day is as follows:
“Industry and mining are value-creating capacities for the national economy and powerful pillars supporting the country’s pursuit of self-sufficiency and economic strength. National Industry and Mining Day provides an opportunity to recognize the significance of these sectors while honoring the memory of the esteemed martyrs of the American-Zionist imposed war, who sacrificed their lives on the production front and built a steel barrier against the enemy’s conspiracies.
The coincidence of National Industry and Mining Day with the farewell ceremony for the ‘martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution’ serves as a reminder of his foresight and profound vision regarding the country’s development. He consistently emphasized the importance of replacing the traditional reliance on oil revenues with the country’s vast mineral resources.
Today, following his dedicated approach, all stakeholders in this sector stand firmly on the front lines of the economic battle, relying on domestic expertise and unwavering determination to create value intelligently, strengthen Iran’s position in global supply chains, and better meet domestic needs. Recognizing the gravity of the current situation, the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade has placed special emphasis on rebuilding and modernizing industries by leveraging the capabilities of knowledge-based companies, with the aim of paving the way toward greater productivity, wider adoption of advanced technologies, and the construction of a prosperous Iran.
To achieve sustainable development and economic strength, industry and mining must be regarded not merely as productive sectors but as strategic pillars of national sovereignty.
Today, Iran’s industry and mining sectors have embarked on a clear and purposeful path with the adoption of a comprehensive and operational strategic document. Developed through unprecedented collaboration among all stakeholders—from government institutions to the private sector and specialized associations—this document is designed to move beyond theory and become an operational, mission-oriented roadmap aligned with the Seventh National Development Plan.
In the mining sector, the Ministry’s approach centers on ‘smart value creation,’ with a focus on improving mine safety and equipment, activating geoscience databases to enhance transparency, facilitating investment, and concentrating on the extraction and processing of rare earth elements and other strategic minerals. The objective is to transform underground resources into national economic power and position them as an alternative to oil. This year, through the implementation of the strategy of ‘Leading Industry, Value-Creating Mining, and Smart Trade,’ we have embarked on a path toward digital transformation, modernization, and global competitiveness. Relying on the determination and domestic expertise of those working in these industries, we will move steadily toward achieving these objectives.
We hope that by drawing upon our national capabilities, we will build a dynamic industrial sector and a leading mining industry. I extend my congratulations on National Industry and Mining Day to all private-sector participants, industrialists, miners, and specialists in these fields, and I pray to Almighty God for success, dignity, and honor in the continued advancement of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”