RUSTAQ : The total number of mining licenses in South Al Batinah Governorate reached 35 by the end of 2025, distributed across 15 active licenses—14 for construction material ores and one for chromium ore—according to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

Juma Khamis Al Bakari, Director of the Minerals Department for North Al Batinah and South Al Batinah Governorates, pointed out to Oman News Agency that quarries and crushers are distributed across several wilayats of South Al Batinah Governorate, depending on the nature of geological formations and the availability of mineral ores. He noted that the Wilayat of Nakhal hosts the largest number of quarries.

He added that the value of investments in quarries and crushers in South Al Batinah Governorate ranges between RO 500,000 and RO 20 million, depending on the scale of investment, the project scope, and the type of ore.

Al Bakari indicated that the contribution of the mining sector in South Al Batinah Governorate to the gross domestic product (GDP) amounts to approximately 0.7% of the total GDP. He explained that ongoing exploration studies and programs are being conducted in the governorate, alongside promising indicators for the presence of mineral ores such as copper and chromium.

He affirmed that the investment opportunities available in South Al Batinah Governorate reflect the Ministry of Energy and Minerals’ direction toward building an integrated mining sector that keeps pace with global developments in the mining industry and enhances the competitiveness of the Sultanate of Oman at both regional and international levels.

Al Bakari also mentioned that 16 licenses are currently in the closure process due to the depletion of raw materials from those quarries, in addition to four licenses that have not yet commenced operations, distributed across the wilayats of A’Rustaq and Nakhal.

He further noted that one prospecting license for copper ore was issued at the beginning of 2026. Meanwhile, ongoing efforts are focused on finalizing procedures and coordinating with the relevant authorities regarding 13 public-use sites for construction materials in the governorate, with completion targeted within the same year.

It is worth noting that the mining sector in South Al Batinah Governorate is considered one of the promising sectors. Geological studies and indicators point to the presence of various mineral ores, including copper and chromium, which enhances investment opportunities and the expansion of mining activities in the governorate. This, in turn, contributes to supporting economic development and achieving optimal utilization of natural resources.

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