Mineral Deposits and Natural Resources Mineral exploration, extraction and production in Iran dates back to about 4000 B.C. Ever since not only our knowledge about minerals and developing mines has improved, but the diversity of the discovered mineral deposits has increased and their utilization potentials have been amplified. Taking into account the ancient history of mining and the multiplicity of mineral deposits in the country, one expects that the mining sector of the country plays a pivotal role in the economy; nevertheless, it is not so because of the dominance of the petroleum industry in the country’s macro economy.