The Omani Ministry of Energy and Minerals confirmed that work is underway to prepare a new set of exploration concession areas in the mining sector in preparation for announcing and offering them during the first quarter of this year, targeting chrome, copper, limestone and other ores.
Salah bin Hafeez al-Dahab, Director General of Investment at the Ministry of Energy, said that the ministry is currently in the final stage of negotiations with specialized companies over several concession areas, most of which focus on developing potash (potassium chloride) ore and researching and evaluating lithium ore.
Hafeez explained that the Sultanate of Oman is characterized by the presence of ores of copper, chromite, laterite, magnesium, manganese and other mineral ores, in addition to industrial ores such as gypsum, silica, limestone and gabbro stones, according to what was reported by the Oman News Agency.
He stated that he hopes that the search and exploration operations carried out by the Oman Minerals Development Company and the new investors will achieve success and a quantum leap for this sector, with a focus on raw materials associated with clean energy to reduce emissions harmful to the environment.
Last year, the Omani Ministry of Energy signed about 12 agreements with the Oman Minerals Development Company, where the company began exploratory work, including geophysical aerial surveys, and then these areas will be developed by the company or with local or foreign investors based on studies related to preliminary expectations of quantities. And the ores that are available in each region according to internationally recognized specifications and standards, such as the “Jork” system in calculating mineral reserves.
