According to agency data, the reserves of the new deposit include about 7.95 million tons of oxidized gold ore and 53.1 million tons of sulfide ore. It is mentioned that oxidized ores are generally easier and more economical to mine.
Although Iran does not officially disclose the size of its gold reserves, in recent years the country has significantly increased its purchasing volumes. In September of this year, the chairman of the Central Bank, Mohammad Reza Farzin, stated that Iran has become one of the five largest gold buyers in the world in 2023–2024. Central Bank representative Yekta Ashrafi also noted that increasing gold reserves contributes to strengthening the economy amid international sanctions.
There are 15 gold mines operating in Iran, among which the largest is "Zarshuran," located in the northwest of the country. The economic situation in Iran has significantly deteriorated due to sanctions imposed after accusations from the U.S. and Western countries that Tehran is attempting to develop nuclear weapons, which the Iranian side categorically denies.
