234 valid mining permits issued by end 2016
NEW THRUST: Process of evaluating and issuing permits is ongoing, says PAM chief
The Public Authority for Mining (PAM) says it continues to receive and evaluate applications for mining permits from investors, although approvals will typically be granted only where exploration and development activities produce real commercial value to the sector and support the wider growth of the economy.
The assertion was made by PAM Chief Executive Officer Hilal bin Mohammed al Busaidy on Monday, soon after the signing of a landmark agreement for the drafting of a National Mining Strategy for the sector.
“The process of evaluating applications and issuing mining permits has been ongoing at the Authority. However, in issuing permits we want to ensure that any mining activities resulting from these permits are in conformity with the broad objectives laid out by the Authority and the government for the sector’s development,” Al Busaidi said.
Greater emphasis, for example, is being given to mining applications that will provide raw materials for existing and new value-added industries planned in industrial hubs and Special Economic Zones around the country. Gypsum and limestone, for instance, are key ingredients in the production of cement and building products, and are thus likely to receive greater consideration, he explained.
As many as 234 permits for mineral exploration and development were issued as of end-2016, according to figures attributed to the Public Authority for Mining. The economic value of minerals — metallic and nonmetallic — produced last year totalled RO 116.6 million, although the figure will be considerably higher if valueadded processing and exports are taken into account.
Contributing to this figure are as many as 14 different mineral commodities, including marble, limestone, gypsum, industrial salt, chromite, laterite, clay, sand, quartz, copper, magnesium, kaolinite and silica.
Owing to depressed global commodity markets stemming from the wider economic downturn, a significant number of the minerals registered lower output in 2016 versus figures for 2015. Marble production fell 26.7 per cent to