Iran ranks second in the world in gypsum production, producing 11 million tons, with Semnan province accounting for a significant portion of this mineral. Semnan holds 23 percent of the world’s gypsum and about 80 percent of Iran’s gypsum reserves, with 42 gypsum factories operating in the province.
According to IRNA, statistics show that Semnan ranks first in the country for gypsum reserves. Of the 70 identified mineral types in the country, 42 are present in Semnan, and estimates suggest that its reserves are sufficient for economic extraction if processing and final product production are established.
With 597 mines, Semnan ranks fifth in the country in terms of the number of mines and sixth in extraction volume, producing 40 percent of the country’s gypsum. About 95 percent of the gypsum mines in Semnan province are located in the Sarakhs county.
Semnan province has 3.5 billion tons of geological reserves and over 5,500 million tons of proven mineral reserves, providing employment for 4,200 workers in these units.
Given the importance of the topic, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) held a roundtable discussion titled “Challenges of the Gypsum Industry” featuring Ali Akbar Hashimi, head of the Mining Industries Department of the Industry, Mining, and Trade Organization of the province; Mehdi Abolkhairiyan, secretary of the provincial gypsum union; and Jalal al-Din Salehian, a member of the Semnan Chamber of Commerce.
Activity of 42 Gypsum Factories in Semnan Province
A member of the Semnan Chamber of Commerce mentioned in the roundtable that the gypsum industry is predominant in this industrial region. He stated that the monetary value, volume of reserves, sustainable employment, and energy consumption in production have made gypsum a valuable mineral in Semnan province.
Salehian pointed out the activity of 42 gypsum factories with operating licenses in the province and added that the gypsum industry is economically justified and has led to growth in public transportation activities and job creation.
He noted that Semnan province has numerous metallic and non-metallic mineral capacities, with gypsum mines being the dominant capacity in terms of weight.
A French artist created an artwork on the lawns in front of the United Nations office in Geneva to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the UN.
According to Reuters, the artist, known as “Sipe,” created the artwork titled “A World in Progress” to remind people of “the responsibility and mission of the current generation towards the future of the world and nature” in front of the United Nations office in Geneva.
This artwork depicts two children painting next to a ring of animals.
In an interview with Reuters, the 31-year-old artist stated, “With the help of children, deep thoughts can be expressed in a simpler and more poetic way. This method allows us to discuss the world and the values we are losing.”
The artist created this piece using a combination of chalk and charcoal on a 6,000-square-meter lawn at the United Nations office.
Other works by this artist include the series “Beyond the Walls,” which were created near famous sites in countries such as Ivory Coast and France.
