The Head of SSMIC Technology Campus stated: “In 2023, we successfully signed contracts with knowledge-based companies to advance smart manufacturing, optimize production, and localize equipment. This year, our contracts have exceeded 3 trillion IRR, an unprecedented achievement in the history of knowledge-based companies and science and technology parks in the country. We are now focusing on expanding our activities, particularly in adopting innovative exploration methods in the mining and mineral industries over the coming months.”

According to the Public Relations Department, Yousef Yousefi, speaking on the importance of localization in the mining and mineral industries, particularly the steel sector, remarked: “Steel is one of the fundamental industries in various societies and plays a crucial role in driving a nation’s economy. In recent years, Iran—recognized as one of the world’s major mining countries—has faced challenges in procuring essential parts and equipment due to severe sanctions. The only viable solution was to localize these components. Consequently, reverse engineering and domestic manufacturing became priorities for steel companies and knowledge-based firms. Without these efforts, Iran would not have been able to achieve its current annual production of over 31 million tons of steel.”

He further highlighted the critical role of knowledge-based companies and science and technology parks in advancing localization, stating: “As their name suggests, knowledge-based companies are founded on expertise and research. Their success in industrial sectors depends on trust and support from executives. Today, over 90% of the components and equipment in Iran’s steel production chain have been localized, which is a direct result of the trust steel industry leaders have placed in knowledge-based companies over the past years.”

The Director of the SSMIC Technology Campus emphasized that localization initiatives at Mobarakeh Steel Group, the country’s largest steel producer, and its subsidiaries—such as SSMIC—serve as prime examples of effective support for knowledge-based firms and technology parks. Through extensive reverse engineering, these companies have successfully implemented the “Optimization“ optimized production strategy.

Iran’s First Specialized Mining Industries Technology Campus

Speaking on the history and mission of the SSMIC Technology Campus, Yousefi explained: “This is the first specialized mining industries technology campus in Iran, launched in 2023 in collaboration with the Khorasan Science and Technology Park. The campus is designed to bridge the gap between the challenges and needs of the mining industries and the capabilities and solutions provided by knowledge-based and technology firms. By fostering collaboration and synergy between these two sectors, the campus aims to integrate advanced technology into the mining industry, ultimately increasing the sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP.”

He added that in addition to solving industry challenges and advancing mining technology, the campus nurtures and supports innovative startups and knowledge-based companies by facilitating the commercialization of their ideas with a strong focus on mineral industries.

“In the first two years of its operation, the campus has successfully secured over four years of commitments from technology firms. Last year alone, we signed contracts worth 700 billion IRR with knowledge-based companies for smart manufacturing, production optimization, and equipment localization. This year, our contracts have exceeded 3 trillion IRR, marking an unprecedented milestone in the history of knowledge-based companies and technology parks in Iran. One of these contracts includes the construction of a pilot pelletizing plant and a pilot concentrate plant, in collaboration with one of the knowledge-based firms operating within our campus. We firmly believe this achievement reflects the trust that SSMIC and its Technology Campus place in knowledge-based companies within Iran’s mining industry. We hope that similar levels of trust can be fostered in other large mining and steel companies across the country,” he noted.

Key Objectives and Vision of the Technology Campus

The SSMIC Technology Campus is committed to several strategic goals, including:

• Providing infrastructure for attracting and supporting research and development units specializing in mining industries.
• Monitoring and evaluating the companies established within the campus.
• Leveraging expertise at local, regional, and national levels.
• Offering financial and logistical support to help knowledge-based companies commercialize their products and ideas in the mining sector.
• Contributing to innovation-driven economic growth, enhancing exports of knowledge-based products, and reducing raw material exports by completing value chains.
• Facilitating industry-related events, visits, and conferences in the region to promote entrepreneurship and increase employment opportunities for graduates.
• Advancing new exploration studies and integrating cutting-edge extraction, processing, and efficiency-enhancing methods to align with Iran’s Vision 2025 and 2035.

The Necessity of Smart Manufacturing in Industrial Units

Highlighting the importance of smart production systems, Yousefi stated: “One of the significant projects we have contracted within the SSMIC Technology Campus is the Smart Water Consumption project for SSMIC. Given Iran’s ongoing water crisis and drought conditions, this project is expected to reduce the plant’s water consumption by 20 to 30 percent.”

In conclusion, Yousefi emphasized the need to enhance exploration technologies in the mining sector, stating: “Currently, knowledge-based companies working in mining and mineral industries lack advanced exploration techniques. Therefore, it is crucial to establish knowledge-based firms specializing in new exploration technologies. This will not only enhance extraction and processing but also contribute to the expansion of mineral exploration in Iran, particularly in Sangan, the country’s iron ore hub. We welcome highly developed exploration-focused knowledge-based companies to join our SSMIC Technology Campus, and we call on government institutions to increase their support for companies in the exploration sector.”