MDO progresses several strategic mining projects in Oman
Minerals Development Oman Ǿ ǿǡ ' $)" +' 4 - $) ( )ǭ. - +$ '4 3+ ) $)" ($)$)" ) mineral processing sector, has - +*-/ .$")$ơ )/# 2 4$) the delivery of a number of strategic mining initiatives which, upon implementation, promise to fuel the contribution of this key sector to the ) /$*) ' ǟ
More than a dozen projects — spanning the upstream and downstream segments of the sector — are currently in various stages of development and operation at key loca/$*). -*0) /# 0'/ ) / *! ( )ǟ
Mineral resources targeted by these initiatives include copper ore, chromite, magnesium ore, .*Ƥ .$'$ Ǡ "4+.0(Ǡ '$( ./*) ) dolomite, among other metallic and industrial minerals, MDO — part of Oman Investment Authority (OIA) — stated in its newly published 2023 ))0 ' +*-/ǟ Notable among the sizable portfolio of upstream mining initiatives being progressed by MDO are the following:
Naqa Salt Project: Located at Mahout in Al Wusta Governorate, this project centres on the development of salt evaporation ponds that will 4$ ' ) ./$( / ƭǟʊ ($''$*) /*)) . + - ))0( *! - 2 . '/ !-*( . 2 / -ǟ This raw salt will serve as feedstock for an array of local downstream factories specialising in the production of chemicals such as chlor-alkali, .* .# ) */# - +-* 0 /.ǟ
“During the past year, MDO has successfully completed the pilot operation phase of the project and partnered with strategic partners to develop a bankable feasibility study (BFS) for the project,” said MDO in its - +*-/ǟ
Mahout Silica Project: ) 3/ ).$*) 3+'*- /$*) ) -$''$)" (paign targeting prospective silica resources also in Mahout uncovered evidence of over 30 million tonnes of #$"# ,0 '$/4 .$'$ *- ǟ ' 0./ $)ing Company, set up by MDO to over. /# +-*% /ǭ. '$1 -4Ǡ # . .$) conducted an economic feasibility strategy to produce the mineral and . 0- ( -& /. !*- /# *0/+0/ǟ
Magnesium Metal Project: 3ploration studies in the Wilayat of Qurayat in Muscat Governorate have uncovered sizable reserves of high quality dolomite ore and silica ore — metals used in the manufacture of ( ") .$0( ( / 'ǟ
Wafra Mining: *''*2$)" *)ơ-mation of the presence of an estimated 15 million tonnes of high purity limestone reserves at Wadi Al Jizzi in Suhar, MDO is currently chalking out plans to develop these resources at the rate of around 1 million tonnes + - ))0(ǟ # '$( ./*) *0/+0/ $. primarily earmarked for steel plants and other assorted customers operat$)" $) ' /$) # *-/# *1 -)*- / ǟ
Sales of limestone production from the site have commenced since the middle of last year to a number of lo' ) $)/ -) /$*) ' 04 -.ǟ Chromite Ore: Following the discovery of around 100,000 tonnes of chromite ore at two sites in Fanja (Wilayat of Bidbid) and Al Raki (Wilayat of Yanqul), MDO has decided to proceed with their commercial$. /$*)ǟ 0 '$ '4 /- ( ) #-*($/ *(+ )4Ǡ *2) Ʈʊǟư + - )/ by MDO, has been tapped to mine the *- !-*( /# /2* .$/ .ǟ
Copper Ore Project: Among the )*/ ' #$"#'$"#/. *! ƮƬƮƯ 2 . ǭ. success in progressing the redevelopment project of the Block 4 mines in /# 2$' 4 /. *! 0# - ) $2 ǟ # *(+ )4 3+' $) ǡ Ǯ 1 - /# + ./ 4 -Ǡ/# ơ) '$)1 ./( )/ $.$*) # . ) ++-*1 ) /# +-*% /ǭ. ($)$)" *+ - /*- 2 . ++*$)/ ǟ Ahjaar Mining: Targeting the production of gabbro — crushed rock for the construction sector — this project is located in the Wilayat of Liwa in Al
/$) # *-/# *1 -)*- / ǟ ))0 ' gabbro production is estimated at
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