National Iranian Copper Industries Co
In 1972(1351H.), Sarcheshmeh Copper Mines Joint Stock Co of Kerman was established; and, later, in 1976(1355H.), it was renamed as National Iranian Copper Industries Co to involve all copper mines operations throughout the country. This company has numerous responsibilities to do including extraction and utilization of copper mines, production of copper concentrates and manufacturing copper products such as cathodes, slabs, billets and 8mm wire rods. Sarcheshmeh and Miduk mines in Kerman province and Sunegoon mine in eastern Azarbaiejan province are of the most significant copper mines in the country.
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Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex
Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex is located 160km southwest of Kerman and 50km south of Rafsanjan. The region's altitude averages about 2600m, the highest spot of which approximates 3000m. Sarcheshmeh ore bodies, situated in the central part of Zagros ranges, consist of folded and faulted early tertiary volcano- sedimentary rocks.
Production units of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex involve the mine itself, concentrator, smelter, refinery, foundries and leaching. The relations between the mentioned units have schematically been shown on the following chart.
Start up Dates of Different Sections of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex
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June,1974
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Commencement of Extraction Operation( Tailings Haulage)
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July,1974
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The First Exploitation of Dumped Sulphide Ores Near the Primary Crusher
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December,1981
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Transport of Sulphide Ores to the Primary Crusher
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December,1981
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The First Concentrator
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November,1981
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Lime Slacking Operation
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June,1982
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Smelter
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June,1983
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Molybdenum Plant
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January,1983
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Refinery
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April,1986
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Foundries
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June,1997
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Leaching Plant
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July,2000
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Oxygen Plant
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June,2004
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The Second Concentrator
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December,2005
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Khatoonabad Copper Smelter
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HISTORY OF COPPER IN IRAN
Copper articles discovered during various investigations in different parts of Iran and also remainders of primitive smelting furnaces show that Iranians have had the knowledge of mining and smelting of copper since old ages.
Archeological studies show that mining activities had been relatively brisk since about 5,000 B.C. Unearthed articles during excavations which have been made of copper, bronze, gold and silver show that mining operations and metal foundry industries retained their progressing trend in later millenniums.
After Islam, especially during Seljukis and Safavid era, mining and smelting operations continued their progress.
SARCHESHMEH COPPER DEPOSIT
Accoring to investigation rendered , Iran is located on world copper belt starting from southeasst to northwest of Iran and Azarbaijan . Porphyry copper deposit of Sarcheshmeh is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Sarcheshmeh copper deposit is situated at 160 Km Southwest of Kerman, 50 Km South of Rafsanjan and at the average altitude of 2,600 Meters and maximum altitude of 3,000 meters. It is located at central Zagros mountain range and is composed of stratified, sedimentary and volcanic rocks and faults pertaining to third geological era. Total Sarcheshmeh ore reserve is about 1.2 billion tons of sulfide ore at the grade of 0.7% Cu.
SARCHESHMEH TOWNSHIP
In order to provide further facilities, a township with 2,500 residential units equipped with all necessary services and 150 suitable furnished caravans was set up. This township is provided with educational centers from kindergarten to high school, also with mosque, clinic, bank, interest free loaning services, cooperative store, hotel, cinema, gas station, transportation terminal, repair workshop, sports center and fanfare.