The Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei visited a copper plant in the city of Sarcheshmeh in the course of his tour of Kerman Province on Sunday, May 8.
During his visit to the complex, the Leader was briefed by the technical staff on the activities and operations of the copper plant and the projects that are currently underway there.
Praising the valuable services of the directors, engineers and other technical staffers of the Sarcheshmeh Copper Plant, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that Iran ranks above the world's average with respect to the possession of mineral resources. He also emphasized that in all kinds of industrial activities, great attention should be paid to environmental issues.
Following his tour of the complex, in an address to thousands of staffers of the copper plant and their families, the Leader stated that the dexterous hands and innovative minds of the dedicated Iranian engineers, scientists and technicians are utilizing the treasures hidden in the Iranian soil for the welfare and progress of the Iranian nation.
Expressing pleasure with his visit to the large copper plant in the city of Sarcheshmeh, Ayatollah Khamenei described the development of the complex as owed to selfless efforts of the skilled workers, engineers and directors of the plant. He noted that the firm intention, great motivation and laudable efforts of the entire staff have turned the development of the plant into a cause of honor for the country.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic further referred to the Islamic guidelines concerning the utilization of mineral resources.
"Some nations are prevented by the domination exercised by the arrogant powers and by their own ignorance from using their natural resources in an appropriate manner. However, the Iranian people are exploiting their resources to make progress and achieve development under the banner of Islam, thanks to their resistance to the enemies of Islam and their country," he pointed out.
Hinting at the era before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the running of the Sarcheshmeh Copper Plant by the British and American staff in the pre-revolution era was a humiliation for the Iranian nation.
"The Islamic system put an end to this humiliation, and the talented and noble Iranian people brought honor to Islam and power and dignity to their country through their perseverance, scientific progress and innovations," he told the gathering.
The Leader called on all young Iranian scientists and researchers to increase their creativity, innovation and initiative, which he described as the major factors contributing to human progress. He stated that any nation that works hard and does not disregard spirituality while making material progress will enjoy all the blessings of the Almighty according to inviolable divine promises.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to Islamic injunctions advising Muslims to obtain knowledge no matter in which part of the world it exists.
"We are obtaining knowledge from others but do not stop at mere learning, as we intend to raise the present level of knowledge in the world. There are bright prospects for scientific work in our country," he noted.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that what the motto 'Down with America' really means is to make progress and accomplish full-scale development.
"Our people bear no ill will toward any other nation, and when they chant the slogan 'Down with America', they actually underscore their deep aspirations and firm intention to eliminate any type of retardation and deprivation from their country," he told the audience.
Before the Leader's speech, the Minister of Mines and Industries, Es'haq Jahangiri, presented a report about the progress made in mineral and industrial areas. He said that the number of active mines in the country has been raised from 200 to 3,800, and that the amount of mineral ores excavated has been increased from 20 million tons to 150 million tons over the recent years.