The Successful End of the 8th Minerals Experts Group Meeting of ECO Member States in Isfahan-Iran

The 8th Meeting of Minerals Experts Group of ECO Member States (Economic Cooperation Organization) hosted by the Geological Survey of Iran(GSI) was held on November 14th -17th , 2022 with the presence of experts from Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran with the aim of co-thinking of the experts and managers of ECO member states and sharing the new ideas and perspectives and solving the current geological and mineral issues of EMSs in Isfahan with the support of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.

The 8th Meeting of Minerals Experts Group of ECO Member States (Economic Cooperation Organization) hosted by the Geological Survey of Iran(GSI) was held on November 14th -17th , 2022 with  the presence of experts from  Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran with the aim of co-thinking of the experts and managers of ECO member states and sharing the new ideas and perspectives and solving the current geological and mineral issues of EMSs in Isfahan with  the support of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.

At the opening ceremony of the meeting, deputy secretary general of ECO based in Iran welcomed all participants in the 8th Minerals Experts Group meeting of ECO member states and said, "I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Geological Survey of Iran (GSI), to host this after a  5-year gap  and acknowledge that cooperation in the field of minerals is a key component of ECO strategy in the sustainable economic growth.

Addressing the representatives of ECO member states and honoring the committed efforts of the Geological Survey of Iran to enhance the regional cooperation in the field of minerals among EMSs, Mr. Dr.Huseyin Avni Bicakli stated that based on the evidence of the exploration of the past explored mineral resources and current production, the mineral sector is one of the major economic supporters of EMSs, many of which are are rich in mineral resources, and demand for minerals within the ECO and in other customer economies is expected to  rise rapidly  following the improving economic growth, as the post-COVID period has now begun and growth in mineral use is expected to continue upon demand in developing economies that are growing at a faster rate than in developed economies in the medium to long term.

The Deputy Secretary General of ECO in Iran told the attendees: "Cooperation in the field of minerals as a key component of ECO strategy on sustainable economic growth can enable our region to work together to provide mineral investment, grow the minerals sector, expand trade and ensure sustainable approaches towards mineral development, and your valuable information and guidance to keep this cooperation intact will help us identify focused topics.

After the successful end of the meeting, the next day, the representatives of ECO countries   attended the 17th Specialized Exhibition of Stone, Mines, Machinery and Related Industries in Isfahan and the international exhibition of this city, along with representatives from Isfahan Chamber of Commerce and the International Affairs Department of Geological Survey of Iran.

Since the strategic location of ECO countries and their mineral potential has created a suitable position for the governments of them through which they can take advantages of it while investing in the mining sector, and also  the exchange of new knowledge and ideas in the minerals sector is the basis for sustainable development in the ECO region, therefore, according to the plans made in the secretariat of the 8th  Minerals Experts Meeting of  EMSs, the second day after the meeting, they visited Bama Mining Complex (the producer of lead and zinc ingots) located in Isfahan province.

Before visiting these mines, the participants took part among the director generals, deputies and managers of the company, and then Mr. Mohammad Reza Azadi, director general of Bama Mining Company, introduced the company as to the preparation and production of lead and zinc. Dr. Hengameh Hosseini, head of geology and exploration, Mr. Rasoul Pashay, head of the technical office as well as engineer Shahram Ali Mohammadi, deputy of production of the company gave speeches and exchanged their achievements and information.

At last, the meeting ended with the remarks of the Deputy Secretary General of ECO , and he expressed his pleasure at the successful three-day meeting of the 8th Eco Minerals Experts Group in Isfahan and thanked the scientific secretary of the meeting, Dr. Jafar Omrani and its executive secretary, Ms. Hanieh Bakhshaee, as well as the Chamber of Commerce of Industries, Mines and Agriculture of Isfahan and the Bama Mineral Complex for their cooperation in holding the conference.

Dr. Hussain Avni Beychakali, while introducing the representatives of EMSs at the meeting and thanking them for their presence, expressed his hope that at the next meeting of experts to be held in Pakistan, all representatives of ECO member states will attend and thank the representatives of the embassies of Afghanistan and Tajikistan for attending the meeting.