Ahangaran Mine

Ahangaran Mine

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The Ahangaran Mine is one of the most valuable mining assets of Sormak Mines Company and one of Iran's oldest active mines producing lead, hematite iron ore, and silver. Located in Malayer County, Hamadan Province, the deposit was discovered in 1959 and has been in continuous operation since 1971. For more than five decades, Ahangaran Mine has played a strategic role in the growth of Sormak Mines Company by supplying raw materials for its mineral processing facilities and supporting the development of the Company's integrated mining value chain.

With significant reserves of lead ore and hematite iron ore, Ahangaran Mine serves as the primary source of feedstock for the Ahangaran Mining & Industrial Complex. Proven lead ore reserves are estimated at approximately 500,000 tonnes with an average grade of 5% Pb, while probable reserves are estimated at approximately 5 million tonnes. The mine also contains approximately 11 million tonnes of proven hematite iron ore reserves grading 36–40% Fe, together with more than 40 million tonnes of probable iron ore resources. The annual iron ore production capacity is approximately 500,000 tonnes.

Mining Methods

Lead ore is extracted using underground mining methods through an extensive network of underground workings with a total tunnel length exceeding 4 kilometers. Ahangaran is recognized as one of Iran's major underground lead mining operations.

Hematite iron ore is extracted by open-pit bench mining. Following extraction, the ore is transported to the crushing and screening facilities, where it is processed into various size fractions according to customer specifications and market requirements.

Role in Sormak's Value Chain

Ahangaran Mine is the principal supplier of raw materials for Sormak's mineral processing operations. Lead ore extracted from the underground mine is transported to the Ahangaran Mining & Industrial Complex, where it is processed into lead concentrate, lead oxide, and refined lead ingots.

The hematite iron ore produced at the mine is crushed and classified before being supplied to domestic industries and exported to international markets.

Mine Highlights

  • Discovered in 1959 and in continuous operation since 1971

  • One of Iran's major producers of lead, hematite iron ore, and silver

  • Underground mining of lead ore

  • Open-pit extraction of hematite iron ore

  • Approximately 11 million tonnes of proven hematite iron ore reserves

  • More than 40 million tonnes of probable iron ore resources

  • Approximately 500,000 tonnes of proven lead ore reserves

  • Annual iron ore production capacity of approximately 500,000 tonnes

  • Primary supplier of feedstock for the Ahangaran Mining & Industrial Complex and Sormak's mineral processing plants