Iraq’s vast mineral resources could support a mining sector valued at up to $16 trillion, according to a senior government official. Mazhar Mohammed Salih, economic advisor to the prime minister, told Rudaw that the country is rich in a wide range of minerals and precious stones that remain largely unexploited.
“Iraq possesses significant quantities of minerals such as silica sand—found in Anbar, Najaf, Karbala, and Muthanna—which is vital for the production of glass, ceramics, and electronic chips,” Salih said. He also noted that quartz rock, abundant in the mountainous areas of the Kurdistan Region, is similarly important for the tech and ceramics industries.
In addition to silica and quartz, Iraq holds substantial sulfur deposits, primarily in the Mishraq region near Mosul, and phosphate reserves in the Akashat area of Anbar, widely used in cement production.
Based on initial estimates, Salih projected that the potential value of mining these resources could reach approximately $16 trillion. However, he emphasized that the sector remains underdeveloped and needs major investment.
Gold is also present in appreciable quantities, particularly in the mountainous areas of Kurdistan. Other notable resources include iron, nickel, thorium, lead, and limestone.
While mining, cement, and agriculture are important sectors in Iraq’s economy, they remain overshadowed by the dominant oil industry, which has long fueled the nation’s revenues. Experts continue to stress the importance of economic diversification as a pathway to long-term stability.
Source: Rudaw
