Iran Press/Iran news: Alireza Shahidi, made the remarks on Wednesday, at the opening ceremony of Iran's first Park-Museum of Geology in Mashhad, North-east of Iran.
Shahidi said Iran's Geological Survey & Mineral Exploration Organization contributes 5% of GDP, and is currently undertaking 509 projects, Iran Press reported.
The head of the Iranian Geological and Mineral Exploration Organization added: "From the sovereignty point of view, we have two duties of production of wealth, and safeguarding the national wealth."
Iran's first Park-Museum of Geology is also the largest one in Middle East, with an area of over 10,000 square meters and 2,000 square meters of buildings, an archive of 200,000 specimens (samples) and displaying 2,500 geological specimens (species). 101/211/213
