"Iran produced 59,100 tons of aluminum ingots in the first two months of the current year showing a 3.5-percent rise as compared with the last Iranian year,” a recent report by the Iranian Industry, Mine and Commerce Ministry said.

He noted that volume of aluminum powder production hit nearly 20,000 tons during the said period, registering a 12.4-percent growth in comparison with last year’s corresponding period.

Iran produced 308,000 tons of aluminum ingots in the first eleven months of the last year. Iran also produced 207,089 tons of aluminum powder in the first eleven months of the last Iranian calendar year.

In May 2012, Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Vajihollah Ja’fari said Iran’s aluminum output would hit 1.5 million tons by March 2025.

Ja’fari noted that the Iranian Mining and Mineral Industries Development and Renovation Organization would implement various projects across Iran to reach the aluminum output target set for the current year.

The official noted that Iran’s world ranking in production of aluminum had risen to 22nd rank which was four steps higher since 2005.

Ja’fari also stated that Iran plans to become the world’s 14th leading aluminum producer by the end of the 5th Economic Development Plan, which began in 2010 and ends in 2015.