Iranian Aluminum Ranking Jumps up to ۱۷

In 2013, Iran produced 350 billion tons of aluminum accounting for only 0.7% of the global production. The development improves Iran's global ranking by 4 points reaching 17, said Non-ferrous Metal Director of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). He also added that required funding for the implementation of South Aluminum Smelter Project with an annual production of 300,000 tons had been raised. Upon the implementation of certain aluminum production projects including South in Lamerd, Kaveh in Masjed Soleiman, Jajarm in North Khorasan, 3rd phase of Almahdi in Bandar Abbas and IRALCO in Arak, the total production capacity of Aluminum is predicted to hit 1 million tons. Moreover, it is forecasted that total alumina production will reach 2 million tons through rolling out the relevant alumina production projects including Persian Gulf in Asalooyeh, Guinea bauxite, Sarab's alumina production from nepheline syenite. Based on estimations, minimum demand for aluminum by the end of the 5th National Development Plan will hit 600,000 tons surpassing 1 million tons at best. The Vision document also predicts that the figures by 2020 will reach 1 million tons and 2 million tons respectively. As to bauxite, IMIDRO director referred to Guinea-Conakry as the holder of the largest bauxite reserves in the world with Iran being a mining partner providing a unique opportunity for the Iranian aluminum industry to supply required bauxite. A highly productive combined cycle power plant is also of urgency to generate required electricity for aluminum industry where electricity is not only an energy carrier but the very basic ingredient. As to the incoming 3rd biennial International Aluminum Conference of Iran, the secretariat announced that the two-day conference will discuss the latest findings and achievements in aluminum industry including processing, engineering, etc. 40 academic articles are expected to be presented in the technical workshops along with the conference. A side exhibition is to display latest achievements by renowned companies from various countries including Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, Turkey, India, Brazil, Switzerland, Dubai, Bahrain, Russia, China, Oman and Pakistan. Among the officials calling for the development of aluminum industry of Iran were the dean of Science and Industry University of Iran who expressed readiness to contribute academically to the process by cooperating with national executive authorities.