Can't believe there hasn't been more discussion of the below....

Can't believe there hasn't been more discussion of the below. Taken from Iran daily.

Cheers


UK Co. Acquires Gold Exploration Permit

Iran is one of the world's richest countries in terms of mineral reserves.

TEHRAN, Nov. 15--Following several months of intense debate on the participation of foreign investors in Iran’s mining projects, a British company has reportedly managed to obtain a permit to undertake Iran’s largest gold exploration project.
According to ISNA, Zarkouh, a joint venture with a British firm, has been awarded a 25-year permit to explore gold in Kurdestan’s Sari-Goony Mine, which is said to be Iran’s largest gold mine.
Sari-Goony Mine is said to have a reserve of 100 tons of gold, which experts believe will increase once exploration work is completed.
The British company Rio Tinto holds 70 percent stakes of the project. It has so far invested $11 million in the northwestern province’s gold mine projects.
According to Iran’s new foreign investment laws, foreign investors can take up 10-90 percent stakes of joint ventures in Iranian mining projects.
Experts say Iran can well turn into one of Asia’s top gold mining countries given the results of recent geological studies.
Iran is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of mineral reserves. More than 50 major gold mining regions have been identified nationwide.
Iran has the potential to produce 23 tons of gold per annum during the Fourth Five-Year Plan (2005-2010).
The joint venture with the British company is planning long-term presence in gold exploration projects in the northwestern province of Kurdistan. Canadians are also operating in gold mine projects in the western city of Taka, West Azerbaijan province. An Irish company has invested 500,000 euros in a gold exploration project in the western city of Takes tan, Alvin province.