Russian companies had submitted proposals for a joint project to produce dump trucks, loaders and excavators, but the companies involved have not been disclosed.
According to a report by Press TV, private companies from both countries have held several rounds of negotiations regarding large-scale production of heavy mining equipment.
The development comes as Russia increasingly relies on Iranian manufacturing and maintenance services as Western sanctions limit access to similar capabilities. Iran is also under U.S. sanctions, but has made great strides in recent years in designing and producing equipment needed for its vast mining industry.
Iranian companies have already completed a number of projects to locally manufacture excavators, crushers, bulldozers and other machinery. In August, an Iranian company unveiled the country’s first domestically produced 150 metric ton dump truck, which is expected to support large-scale iron and copper mining operations in the southeast. National Copper Industry Company of Iran (NICICO) also announced last year that it had signed a contract with engineering company MAPNA to produce a 136-ton dump truck.
Russia is also a major customer of Iranian power plant equipment, including gas turbines, and has used Iranian airlines for aircraft maintenance.
MAPNA CEO Mohammad Oria said on Monday that Russia is particularly interested in the company’s gas turbine models, and Iranian turbines are well received in the Russian market due to their quality and competitive prices. He added that turbine exports to Russia will continue to be an important part of MAPNA’s international business.
MNA