In 2024, Iran was the world’s 1st-ranked producer of strontium, accounting for 50% (estimated) of the world’s production; the 2d-ranked producer of direct-reduced iron (DRI) and mined gypsum, accounting for 24% and 10% (estimated), respectively; the 3d-ranked producer of feldspar, 12% (estimated); the 4th-ranked producer of iodine, 2.1% (estimated); the 5th-ranked producer of barite (excluding the United States) and iron ore (Fe content), 3.8% and 3.7% (estimated), respectively; the 6th-ranked producer of cement and perlite, 1.8% (estimated) and 1.6% (estimated), respectively; the 7th-ranked producer of magnesium (metal), nitrogen (ammonia), and kaolin, 0.46% (estimated), 3.1%, and 4.3% (estimated), respectively; the 9th-ranked producer of molybdenum, 1.1% (estimated); and the 10th-ranked producer of fluorspar, lead, lime, and magnesium compounds (mined magnesite), 0.51% (estimated), 1.5% (estimated), 0.95%, and 0.95% (excluding the United States, estimated), respectively.
The mineral sector’s (not including hydrocarbons) share of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) decreased to 2.0% in fiscal year 2024 (March 21, 2024, through March 20, 2025) compared with 2.3% in fiscal year 2023. The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Iran is provided by Mining Act of 1998 and amendments to the Mining Act of 2013. The Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade (MIMT) oversees the mineral sector and provides services including issuing mining and quarrying permits and promoting investment opportunities in the minerals sector. The Government controlled most large-capacity mineral companies through Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).
