Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals announced the signing of two new mining concession agreements aimed at expanding the country’s mining industry. These agreements, made with Oman Chromite Company and Minerals Development Oman (MDO), pertain to the development of Concession Areas 11-A and 51-F.
H.E. Eng. Salim Nasser al-Aufi, the Minister of Energy and Minerals, signed the agreement for Concession Area 11-A on behalf of the Omani government, with Humaid Masoud Ali al-Maqbali, Chairman of Oman Chromite Company, signing for the company. Concession Area 11-A, located in northern Oman within the Buraimi Governorate, spans 1,438 square kilometers and is characterized by its ophiolite sequence in the eastern part, which contains indicators of chromium and copper, underscoring its strategic importance.
H.E. al-Aufi also signed the agreement for Concession Area 51-F, with Nasser Saif al-Maqbali, CEO of MDO, representing the company. The initial phase of exploration for this area will involve desk studies, topographic and geological surveys, drilling, and sample analysis.
Spanning 2,156 square kilometers in Al Wusta Governorate, Concession Area 51-F has been preliminarily assessed to contain significant deposits of high-purity silica ore, boasting purity levels of up to 95%. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals, in collaboration with MDO, is actively exploring these resources and conducting feasibility studies to determine the viability of mining operations that meet the stringent purity standards required by the silica industry.
As part of the agreements, the companies are required to execute a comprehensive exploration program that includes topographic, geophysical, and remote sensing surveys. They will also map the geology of the areas and perform geochemical and physical analyses. A total of 35,000 meters of drilling will be conducted to identify potential mineral deposits.
In a press statement, H.E. al-Aufi remarked, “These agreements mark a significant milestone in our efforts to revitalize the minerals industry. A key initiative has been the allocation of concession areas through open, competitive processes that prioritize transparency and fairness. We are committed to developing national capacities through specialized training programs in natural resource management and advanced mineral technologies. To further streamline investments, we have launched a digital platform that grants investors easy access to mineral opportunities, thereby facilitating investment procedures and enhancing their appeal.”
