Zarand Coal Mining Area
The district comprises several individual coal mines and associated processing infrastructure rather than one formally named asset. ZISCO states that Khomroud has geological reserves of 64 million tonnes and extractable reserves of 38 million tonnes; its project started in 2014. The Zarand Coal Washing Plant was reported to have operated since 1978 and to be located 75 km from Kerman city, at the beginning of Zarand city.
Strategic and market-access role
Zarand Coal Mining Area matters in the Hormuz Graph as a coal-mining district in northern Kerman, connected to mining services, industrial fuel and materials logic, steel-related input chains, and road-rail logistics toward Kerman, Yazd, and central Iran. Its role differs from Kerman’s iron-ore nodes around Sirjan and Bafq-facing corridors because Zarand is tied to coal extraction, underground mining services, safety exposure, processing demand, and environmental constraints. The asset helps map how Kerman’s mineral economy extends beyond iron ore into more specialized industrial inputs and mining-service needs.
Operations, capacity & connectivity
Related use cases
Useful for mining-district analysis, coal and industrial-input screening, mining-services demand mapping, equipment and safety-service assessment, freight-route review, and environmental-risk analysis. Companies can use it to evaluate demand for maintenance, ventilation, monitoring, processing support, transport services, and supplier networks around Zarand and Kerman. Due diligence should verify active mine sites, processing links, transport arrangements, labor and safety conditions, environmental obligations, and local contractor capacity.
Capacity and service area
Capacity: Khomroud Coal Mine has stated coal production capacity of 750,000 tonnes per year. Kerman Coal Company states annual raw-coal extraction capacity of at least 170,000 tonnes per year for its Babnizu, Darreh-Gar and Sarapardeh mines. These figures are operator- and mine-specific and should not be treated as a consolidated district capacity.
Industries served
Steel industry; the district supplies coking coal for steel production.
Ownership, operation & expansion
Owner and operator
Operator: Zarand Iranian Steel Company (ZISCO/MIDHCO) operates the Khomroud Coal Mine. Kerman Coal Company operates the Babnizu, Sarapardeh South, Sarapardeh West and Darreh-Gar mines across the Zarand and Ravar counties.
Constraints, risk & compliance
Operational constraints
Underground mining safety is a material operating consideration: mine-collapse incidents were reported in the Zarand area in 2023. Environmental conditions also require site-specific assessment.
Key risks and compliance considerations
Historical academic evidence from 2011 identified heavy-metal contamination of water and soil associated with the mines and washing plant. The same study reported more than 6 million tonnes of accumulated waste and estimated annual additions of about 400,000 tonnes at that time. Current conditions require updated verification.
Connected Intelligence
Relevant geography, industry, market and execution context for this profile.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions most likely to arise when reviewing this profile.
Is Zarand Coal Mining Area a single mine or company?
No. It is a geographic coal-mining district comprising multiple mines and associated facilities operated by different companies.
Which operators are active in the Zarand Coal Mining Area?
ZISCO operates the Khomroud Coal Mine. Kerman Coal Company operates several mines in the Zarand and Ravar counties, including Babnizu, Sarapardeh South, Sarapardeh West and Darreh-Gar.
What coal capacity is reported for mines in the district?
ZISCO reports 750,000 tonnes per year for Khomroud. Kerman Coal Company reports at least 170,000 tonnes per year of raw-coal extraction capacity for its Babnizu, Darreh-Gar and Sarapardeh mines. These are not a consolidated district total.
What are the main due-diligence issues at Zarand?
Priority issues include underground-mine safety, current environmental and waste-management conditions, mine-specific production performance, transport arrangements, and the ownership and operating status of the coal washing plant.