New wave of miners enter lslamic Republic

摘要

Lran's thawing relation with the west have opened the way for international mining firms to start work in a country which has largely been off-limits, writes Martin ClarkFor many multinationals and smaller equipment suppliers, the Islamic Republic's US-led isolation is over. Some of the world's leading mining housesincluding Rio Tinto and Anglo American - now have a presence in Tehran and are quietly working through initial exploration programmes throughout the country. The Islamic Republic's copper potential, though considerably less well explored, is thought by some experts to be on a par with some of the more countries of Latin America, which have successfully leaped to the top of the world's producers table. Other potential exists with known deposits of lead, zinc, iron, gold, chromites, barite, industrial minerals and coal.