Mineral production contributed 0.6% of the country's GDP in 2011, a figure that increases to 4% when mining-related industries are included.
Gating factors include poor infrastructure, legal barriers, exploration difficulties, and government control over all resources.
Iran is ranked among the world's 15 major mineral-rich countries.

Although the petroleum industry provides the majority of revenue, about 75% of all mining sector employees work in mines producing minerals other than oil and natural gas.
These include coal, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, barite, salt, gypsum, molybdenum, strontium, silica, uranium, and gold, the latter of which is mainly a by-product of the Sar Cheshmeh copper complex operation.
The mine at Sar Cheshmeh in Kerman Province is home to the world's second largest store of copper.

Large iron ore deposits exist in central Iran, near Bafq, Yazd and Kerman.
The government owns 90% of all mines and related industries and is seeking foreign investment.
The sector accounts for 3% of exports.

Iran has recoverable coal reserves of nearly 1.9 billion short tonnes.
By mid-2008, the country produced about 1.3 million short tonnes of coal annually and consumed about 1.5 million short tonnes, making it a net importer.
The country plans to increase hard-coal production to 5 million tons in 2012 from 2 million tons in November 2008.

The main steel mills are located in Isfahan and Khuzestan.
Iran became self-sufficient in steel in 2009.
Aluminum and copper production are projected to hit 245,000 and 383,000 tons respectively by March 2009.
Cement production reached 65 million tons in 2009, exporting to 40 countries.
Mineral production contributed 0.6% of the country's GDP in 2011, a figure that increases to 4% when mining-related industries are included. Gating factors include poor infrastructure, legal barriers, exploration difficulties, and government control over all resources. Iran is ranked among the world's 15 major mineral-rich countries.
Although the petroleum industry provides the majority of revenue, about 75% of all mining sector employees work in mines producing minerals other than oil and natural gas. These include coal, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, barite, salt, gypsum, molybdenum, strontium, silica, uranium, and gold, the latter of which is mainly a by-product of the Sar Cheshmeh copper complex operation. The mine at Sar Cheshmeh in Kerman Province is home to the world's second largest store of copper.
Large iron ore deposits exist in central Iran, near Bafq, Yazd and Kerman. The government owns 90% of all mines and related industries and is seeking foreign investment. The sector accounts for 3% of exports.
Iran has recoverable coal reserves of nearly 1.9 billion short tonnes. By mid-2008, the country produced about 1.3 million short tonnes of coal annually and consumed about 1.5 million short tonnes, making it a net importer. The country plans to increase hard-coal production to 5 million tons in 2012 from 2 million tons in November 2008.
The main steel mills are located in Isfahan and Khuzestan. Iran became self-sufficient in steel in 2009. Aluminum and copper production are projected to hit 245,000 and 383,000 tons respectively by March 2009. Cement production reached 65 million tons in 2009, exporting to 40 countries.
Economy of Iran