<DIV align=left>khatami inaugurates copper plant</DIV>

Kerman, June 1, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami on Tuesday
   officially inaugurated a copper plant in the southeastern city of
   Sarcheshmeh.
   The plant has been designated as Iran`s first development project
   in copper industry.
   President Khatami also inspected various parts of the Sarcheshmeh
   Copper Complex.
   The president is accompanied by Minister of Industries and Mines
   Es`haq Jahangiri and the head of the Tourism and Cultural Heritage
   Organization.
   The project will add to the production capacity of Sarcheshmeh
   Copper Condensation Factory in Kerman by 160,000 tons a year.
   The second phase of the plant is scheduled to increase the output
   to 350,000 tons annually by the end of the Fourth Development Plan