Chah-Khatoun, which is a low-grade mine in Mouteh Gold Complex, has some 350,000 metric tons of 2 gpt (gram per metric ton) minerals. Experts say further developing of the project can yield more than 120 kilograms annually.
Further explorations in the complex have started and are expected to increase the gold reserves to more than 1 million metric tons. Mouteh Gold Complex has an annual capacity of producing 300 kilograms of gold. The complex was established in 1993 based on a contract signed by the Australian company BHP.
Annual gold production by the private sector and government companies was previously 2.5 metric tons. But the inauguration of Zarshooran Gold Mine in the province of West Azarbaijan raised the figure to 5.5 metric tons per year. Apart from producing 10 kilograms of pure gold per day, Zarshooran also produces 1.25 metric tons of silver as well as 0.5 metric ton of mercury per annum.