TEHRAN, Aug. 7 (MNA) -- Iran exported over 10 million tons of mineral goods, worth $2.73 billion, during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (began on March 21). 

In comparison to the corresponding figures of the same time span in previous year, the amounts show 68 percent and 9 percent increase in terms of value and weight, respectively, the IRNA news agency reported.

Iran exported $22 billion worth of industrial and mineral goods during the previous calendar year, up 20 percent year on year.

Iran is ranked among the 15 major mineral rich countries and exports its industrial and mineral products to 159 countries including Iraq, China, the United Arab Emirates, India and Afghanistan, according to Press TV.

The country holds more than seven percent of the total mineral reserves of the globe. It lies on 37 billion tons of proven reserves and holds more than 57 billion tons of potential reserves of some 68 types of minerals, including chrome, coal, copper, gold, iron, lead, tin and zinc.