Muscat – Through the implementation of these projects, the Sultanate of Oman seeks to achieve multiple benefits, including the creation of new job opportunities and achieving self-sufficiency in the energy sector, thereby shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for future generations.

Amal bint Salem Al Jardaniyah, Director of the Office for Follow-up of the Implementation of Oman Vision 2040 at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, highlighted the importance of these projects in shaping Oman’s energy future. She explained that key initiatives in the electricity sector are not only focused on expanding the national grid but also on reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing Oman’s ability to integrate renewable energy.

One such project, the Masirah Island connection project, aims to link the island with the national grid, reducing the island’s reliance on diesel and minimising its environmental impact. The project involves establishing a 132/33 kV station and extending overhead and underground transmission lines across approximately 94 kilometres, with a total cost of about 72 million Omani riyals.

Additionally, the Manah Solar Power Plants project is a major step toward diversifying Oman’s energy mix. With a total production capacity of 1,000 megawatts, the plants will help meet the country’s target of generating 10 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2025, and 30 percent by 2030, aligning with Oman Vision 2040.

Amal Al Jardaniyah also outlined several key minerals sector projects. The dolomite ore (lower crack) economic feasibility study project at Kunuz aims to produce up to 3 million tons of raw dolomite annually. High-grade dolomite will be used for magnesium production, while low-grade dolomite will be used in iron production. Scoping studies suggest resources in the region may exceed 250 million tons of dolomite ore, with project completion targeted for 2026.

The Al Ghaizin Mine Project for copper ore mining and concentration is a vital project aimed at extracting approximately 6 million tons of copper ore over six and a half years in Al Khabourah. This is Oman’s first underground copper mining operation. Mawarid Mining Company recently exported its first shipment of copper concentrates through the port of Sohar. The company plans to extract approximately one million tons of copper ore annually, to be concentrated at the Al Aseel plant, producing around twenty thousand tons of copper concentrate each year.

The Shalim Mining Area Development Project targets mining gypsum, limestone, and dolomite for export. Currently in the exploration phase, the project shows promising signs of substantial high-purity raw material deposits in Shaleem, the Hallaniyat Islands, and Al Jazer, covering an area of 3,314 square kilometers. Completion is targeted for 2026.

The Naqaa project aims to produce high-quality salt for industrial use. A strategic government project, it has seen involvement from various companies and is now being pursued by Oman Minerals Development Company and Shumookh Investment and Services Company. A mining concession agreement was recently signed with Naqaa Salt Company for an area in Felim to produce approximately 400,000 metric tons of salt. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2025, with project development extending for four years, in partnership with a foreign investor.

Exploration work for the copper and gold ore exploration and mining project in Block 10 in Yanqul has yielded commercial discoveries at five sites. The project aims to mine copper and gold, with estimated annual copper production of 1.6 million tons, generating OMR 500 million in annual revenue. Completion is targeted for 2025.

The Al Washhi-Al Mujazah project in Al Mudhaibi will develop a copper mine to extract and process copper ore, producing concentrated copper for sale. An agreement has been signed with Al Haditha Resources Company for exploration and mining rights. Exploration has identified over 16 million tons of copper, with mineable reserves exceeding 10 million tons.