Mining News -"Early talks are also underway with Swiss investors to develop Mehdiabad, one of the world’s largest zinc deposits," Mehdi Karbasian, deputy minister of industries, mining and trade, told Reuters.

“We’ve had experience (of sanctions) of more than 35 years, but I hope this time Europeans are going to continue to invest,” Karbasian said in an interview on the sidelines of the CRU Aluminum Conference in London.

“We’ve been having very good relations with Europe with a lot of imports, exports and investment for the benefit of both European companies and Iranian companies.”

Karbasian is also chairman of IMIDRO, the state-owned Iranian Mines and Mining, Industries, Development and Renovation Organization.