Mining Sector   Manpower Data released by Iran Statistical Center indicate that 52732 persons were engaged in operational mines of the country in 1998, out of which 16174 individuals were unskilled labor force, 13953 skilled force, 1810 technicians, 1309 engineers and 19486 servants engaged in administrative and transportation services. Among different kinds of mines, the greatest number of manpower are involved in coal, sand, gravel and ornamental stone mines. A classification of mines based on the number of labor force indicate that out of 2436 operational mines, some 1498 mines have employed fewer than 10 persons each, 851 mining pits engaged 10-20 persons each and 87 mines employed more than 50 per unit. Recently Explored Reserves Based on statistical data released by the Ministry of Industries and Mines 144 mines containing of 246 million tons of reserves in the country have been newly explored. In terms of number and reserves value this figure shows %13 and %164 increase, respectively. Among the newly explored mines, 16 of them contain metal minerals, 57 non-metal minerals and 71 mines include construction materials. Value Added Primary statistics released in the year 2000 represent that Gross National Product and value added of industries and mining group and also value added factor for mining sector activities in 1999 in comparison with fixed prices of 1990 showed %5.9, %8.9 and %6.5 growth, amounting to Rls47555.8 billion, Rls10693.6 billion and Rls454.8 billion, respectively. In this context, the portion of mining sector in gross National Product and value added of industries and mines are %0.9 and %2.4, respectively. In the meantime, the share of mining sector in the growth of Gross National Product have been registered at %0.28 and %0.06. Investment In 1990, gross fixed capital assets based on market prices in industries and mines as well as mining sector have been Rls45179.6 billion and Rls761.8 billion, respectively. These figures in comparison with corresponding amounts in 1999 indicate %38.6 and %44.5 growth, respectively. A comparison of the gross fixed capital in 1999 with fixed prices in 1990 for the above-mentioned sectors show %9.4 and %9.6 increase. The share if mining sector in total gross fixed capital and capital assets of industries and mines were %0.48 and %1.69, respectively. In 1999, investment of government in mining sector witnessed %22.7 growth in comparison with 1998 and amounted to Rls172.3 billion. Significant portion of these credits (rls116.5 billion) was allocated to "implementation of new equipment and rehabilitation of mines" and the remaining amount (Rls55.9 billion) appropriated to "mineral exploration programs". In this year, the credit transfer to mining sector within total government development credits decreasing by 8 units percent stood at %36.5.