The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has announced a tender offering seven mining blocks for investment in 2023. The mines are spread across Dhofar, North Al Sharqiyah and Al Buraimi.

The ministry has invited international and local mining companies to participate in bidding for mining rights of several minerals and metals such as gypsum, limestone, phosphate, dolomite and clay as well as metallic minerals including gold, silver, copper, chromite and basalt. The bidding process opened on March 28 and will end on May 28.

In Dhofar, the ministry is offering three concession areas. Block 71 is spread over 5,638 sq. kms and is specific to mining of gypsum, limestone, dolomite, phosphates and clay, while Block 73 with an area of 1,551 sq kms is for mining of gypsum, limestone and dolomite. The 1,355 sq kms of Block 77 is open for mining of limestone, dolomite and phosphates.

In North Sharqiyah, the ministry is offering three concession areas for mining of copper, gold, silver, chrome and basalt. The Block 22-B is spread over an area of 1,144 sq kms, Block 22-D over 790sqkm and Block 22-E over 810 sq kms.

In Buraimi, Block 11-A, spread over 1,438sqkm, will be allowed for mining of copper, gold, silver, chrome, basalt and gypsum.

Three of the blocks are located in Umm a’Samim desert, adjacent to Rub al Khali, and are ideal for potash-based mining. The fourth block, covering an area of 567sqkm, is located in Mahout, a few kilometres from Shanna Harbour.

The government of Omani’s Vision 2040 identifies mining as one of the focus sectors for enhancing competitiveness and growth, promising much potential for this developing industry. The strategy, along with discoveries of substantial amounts of mineral deposits and the large-scale projects underway in Oman offer numerous opportunities for investment in mineral development, mining and quarrying exploration and operations.