TEHRAN - Iran is endowed with a vast array of untapped mineral resources that could play a pivotal role in the future of global mining and technological development.
As the world shifts towards more advanced industries such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and high-tech manufacturing, strategic metals have become increasingly important.
For Iran, these underutilized resources represent not just economic potential, but also a chance to significantly boost its industrial capabilities, reduce dependency on foreign supplies, and gain a stronger position on the global stage.
Strategic metals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, gallium, and zirconium, are in high demand worldwide due to their central role in sectors such as clean energy, electronics, defense, and aerospace.
Currently, a few countries dominate the global supply of these critical materials, with China being the largest player. This has created a competitive environment where nations like the United States and European Union are actively looking to diversify their supply chains.
In this context, Iran, with its diverse geological formations and rich mineral deposits, is uniquely positioned to become a key player in the strategic metals market.
Iran’s mineral wealth is not only vast but also diverse. The country’s geological formations span a wide range of environments, offering opportunities for extracting multiple types of critical metals.
From the salt flats of Qom and the granite belts of Sistan and Baluchestan to the bauxite and zinc-rich deposits in Jajarm and Angouran, Iran’s untapped mineral resources provide a robust foundation for the country’s industrial development.
Lithium, often referred to as “white gold,” is one of the most important metals for the future of global energy systems, particularly in the production of EV batteries and energy storage solutions.
Preliminary studies have shown that Iran holds significant lithium reserves in regions such as Khorasan, Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan. Although commercial extraction has yet to commence, the potential is undeniable.
With global demand for lithium growing rapidly, Iran can become a key supplier to the emerging EV market if it successfully develops the infrastructure and technology to extract and process this critical resource.
Gallium and indium, which are essential for semiconductor manufacturing and solar energy technologies, are often recovered as byproducts of bauxite and zinc mining. Iran’s established mining operations in Jajarm and its rich zinc deposits across the country present a unique opportunity to tap into these metals.
The challenge lies in developing the advanced separation and refining technologies necessary for their extraction. However, given Iran’s growing capacity for innovation in domestic engineering and its expanding mining sector, there is significant potential for local universities and research institutions to collaborate with industry leaders to develop the required expertise.
Cobalt and nickel, two metals critical to the production of high-performance batteries and alloys, are also found in Iran’s mineral deposits, especially in the ultrabasic rock formations and polymetallic deposits located in Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan.
The demand for these metals is set to increase as Iran ramps up its own electrification efforts and begins to localize the production of high-tech materials and technologies.
These deposits could help meet both domestic and regional needs, offering a path toward greater economic independence and technological advancement.
However, the development of these metals will require more than just exploration. It will need significant investments in modern refining technologies and recycling infrastructure to ensure that Iran is able to efficiently process and integrate these materials into its high-tech industries.
For Iran to capitalize on its strategic metal reserves, the establishment of a fully integrated supply chain—from mining to end-product manufacturing—will be critical.
Tungsten and zirconium, which are essential for military and aerospace applications, represent additional areas of opportunity.
Although Iran does not currently mine tin—the usual source of tungsten—the country could explore alternative extraction methods or seek partnerships with regional allies to secure access to these metals.
Zirconium, typically found in coastal sands and mountain formations, is another metal that could be developed with minimal environmental disruption.
As defense and aerospace industries become more reliant on advanced materials, Iran’s ability to secure a domestic supply of these critical metals could significantly enhance its technological sovereignty and national security.
In addition to these metals, vanadium, which is increasingly used in steel alloys and emerging energy storage technologies, is found in titaniferous iron ores and certain black shales in central Iran.
With demand for vanadium rising in the context of growing infrastructure projects and energy storage solutions, Iran has an opportunity to capitalize on this strategic metal as part of its broader industrial expansion.
Despite the vast potential, there are significant challenges that Iran must overcome to fully unlock the value of its strategic metal resources.
Chief among these challenges are the ongoing economic sanctions that limit access to foreign technology, equipment, and investment. However, Iran’s mining sector has shown remarkable resilience in the face of these constraints.
Domestic innovations in exploration and extraction technologies are already underway, with several local engineering firms and research institutions developing the tools necessary to tap into these valuable resources.
As countries around the world scramble to secure access to critical metals, Iran’s untapped resources offer a significant opportunity to strengthen its position in the global economic order and ensure its long-term technological sovereignty.
By investing in the future of its mining sector, Iran can unlock the full potential of its mineral wealth and set a course for a more self-reliant and prosperous future.