Companies such as Iralco, Almahdi and Hormuzal produced 59,253 tons of aluminum ingots, indicating a three-percent rise compared to the corresponding figure of last year.

They produced 57,582 tons of aluminum ingots during March 21-May 21, 2012. Also, production of alumina powder reached 41,903 tons during the same period.

The weight and value of aluminum ingots reached 26,893 tons and 1.8 trillion rials respectively during March 21-May 21, showing a 118-percent rise in weight and 218-percent growth in value year-on-year. The weight and value of aluminum ingots stood at 12,348 tons and 574.7 billion rials respectively during March 21-May 21, 2012.

Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Vajihollah Jafari said earlier that Iran's aluminum output would hit 1.5 million tons by the end of the country's 20-Year Vision Plan, which runs until March 2025.

The official noted that Iran's ranking in aluminum production "has risen by four places since 2005" to number 22 in the world in 2012.

Jafari also said Iran plans to become the world's 14th leading aluminum producer by the end of the Fifth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2015).