Iran increases aluminum production

Iran raised its aluminum production output in the first three months of the current Iranian year (started March 21). Aluminum ingot production in the first quarter of this year stood at 89,300 tons, up 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year. Aluminum ingot production was 30,100 tons in the third month of this year, showing 9 percent growth compared to the corresponding period last year. In the first three months of this year, alumina powder production rose by 11 percent to 61,900 tons compared to the same period last year. Iran produced 308,000 tons of aluminum ingots in the first eleven months of the last year. Iran also produced 207,089 tons of aluminum powder in the first eleven months of the last Iranian calendar year. In May 2012, Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Vajihollah Ja’fari said Iran’s aluminum output would hit 1.5 million tons by March 2025. Ja’fari noted that the Iranian Mining and Mineral Industries Development and Renovation Organization would implement various projects across Iran to reach the aluminum output target set for the current year. The official noted that Iran’s world ranking in production of aluminum had risen to 22nd rank which was four steps higher since 2005. Ja’fari also stated that Iran plans to become the world’s 14th leading aluminum producer by the end of the 5th Economic Development Plan, which began in 2010 and ends in 2015.