Iran has inaugurated a new gold-processing plant that will double the country's annual production to 6 tons, the country’s state television reported, according to the Associated Press.

The report said First Vice President Ishaq Jahangiri attended the inauguration Saturday, Nov 15, of the plant near Takab in northwestern Iran.

It said the new processing facility, built next to Iran's Zarshouran gold mine, also will produce an estimated 2.5 tons of silver and 1 ton of mercury a year.

Iran previously produced an estimated 3 tons of gold a year.

This is part of Iran's "economy of resistance" to counter sanctions imposed over Tehran's contested nuclear program. The Islamic Republic is currently negotiating a final deal over its atomic program with world powers.