ZDA Mining (Zarin Dagh Astarakan) was founded in 2007 to explore, develop and operate metal mines. The company was established with regional support from Azerbaijan Mining Company and effective collaboration and investment from a geological-mining project partner from Georgia.
With the most extensive exploration operations in East Azerbaijan Province, Zarin Dagh has conducted reconnaissance, prospecting and potential assessment across more than 14 metal exploration areas. The company was named provincial exemplary explorer in 2010 and national exemplary explorer in 2011. Beyond mining activities and the preparation of large-scale geological maps, geophysical operations have been carried out across an area of 50 square kilometres. More than 50 kilometres of access roads have been built through the most rugged and coldest mountains of north-west Iran, reaching elevations of up to 2,500 metres above sea level. Core drilling and Reverse Circulation Drilling have been used for geological studies down to 300 metres below the surface. Samples are prepared according to modern international methods and analysed abroad — making ZDA the leader of advanced mining in East Azerbaijan Province.
To achieve its goals, ZDA Mining relies on scientific planning, specialist personnel, modern exploration technologies, strict regulatory compliance, and the protection of national resources. The company's specialist teams operate in the Kharvana exploration zone. In addition to respecting environmental principles and prioritising the area's natural resources and geo-tourism, the company applies state-of-the-art technologies in technical exploration studies. In line with this, ZDA has adopted modern processing technologies — including the heap leach method — for ore extraction and processing.
The company currently employs around 500 staff across the specialist disciplines required, support and administrative roles, plus around 200 personnel through contractors. ZDA aims to expand mining activities, develop investment capacity in the country, and create jobs in the underprivileged Kharvana region.