The 18th International Exhibition for Mines, Mining, Construction Machinery and Related Industries and Equipment (Iran CONMINE) opened in Tehran on Saturday.
The event was attended by prominent figures including Samad Hassanzadeh, President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Mohammadreza Bahraman and Payam Bagheri, the ICCIMA vice presidents, and Bahram Shakouri, Chairman of the ICCIMA Mining Commission.
The opening ceremony also saw the presence of Alireza Salimi, a member of the presiding board of the Iranian Parliament, officials from the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade (MIMT), and international representatives, including diplomats from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the event, Bahram Shakouri emphasized the need for efficient management in the mining sector. "Our target is to extract 55 million tons of iron ore, while domestic demand stands at 35 million tons,” he said, highlighting the necessity of facilitating exports in this area.
Sajjad Ghoroghi, the vice chairman of the Mining Commission, pointed to declining upstream investment in the mining sector, adding, "Increased investment, development of mechanized mining, and unrestricted importation of mining machinery could significantly boost the industry."
This year’s exhibition has grown by 30% in participant numbers and 40% in space compared to the previous edition. International participation has also surged, with a 15% rise in foreign exhibitors. Delegations from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Turkey are among the attendees.
The exhibition showcases advancements in mining technology, aims to foster collaborations, and addresses key challenges in the sector. It will run for four days at the Tehran International Exhibition Center.