TEHRAN - Production of aluminum ingot in Iran reached 352,423 tons in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-October 21), according to the data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).

Based on the IMIDRO data, the countryÕs seven-month production of aluminum ingot stood at 367,091 tons in the previous year.

Among the countryÕs four major producers, South Aluminum Corporation (SALCO) had the best performance in the mentioned seven months, producing 144,496 tons of aluminum ingots, followed by Iranian Aluminum Company (IRALCO), producing 100,998 tons, Almahdi Aluminum Company, producing 87,227 tons, and Iran Alumina Company, producing 19,702 tons of ingots.

Iran produced more than 635,000 tons of aluminum ingots over the past Iranian calendar year The countryÕs aluminum mills continued with their production over the past year and posted a slight one percent year-on-year increase despite the energy restrictions.

According to IMIDRO, the countryÕs aluminum production stood at around 632,000 tons a year earlier.

Iran Alumina Company produced some 222,138 tons of alumina powder, 374,106 tons of alumina hydrate, and 598,599 tons of bauxite in the one-year timespan.

Iranian officials estimate the countryÕs aluminum sector has a value of $22 billion, which is sufficient to meet the countryÕs aluminum needs.

At present, Iran is the 18th biggest aluminum-producing country in the world.

MA