Muscat: Vale, one of the world’s largest mining companies, situated at SOHAR Port and Freezone, is celebrating this month, its tenth year in operation in Oman. Vale launched the initial stages of its industrial complex at SOHAR in April 2011, marking a high point in an era of big-ticket industrial investments. The project highlighted the Sultanate’s strategic geopolitical location in the Middle East and the distinctive advantages of SOHAR as a logistics hub and maritime gateway. SOHAR, a unique deep-water port in Oman, is one of the very few ports in the Middle East capable of receiving even Vale’s Largest ‘Valemax’ Vessels, which have a 400,000-ton transportation capacity. In addition to making a sizable contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, the venture has also delivered significant benefits in jobs, value addition opportunities, in-country value initiatives, and community development projects.

Vale’s investment in Oman is a paradigm of the successful convergence of Vale’s strategic goals, the Omani government (represented by OQ Company), and SOHAR Port and Freezone.

Adriano Mansk, Vale Oman CEO, stated, “Vale’s operations in Oman are a result of a dynamic partnership with OQ and SOHAR. Thanks to these key partners, Vale is meeting and surpassing its operations and business targets. The Omani government is a strategic partner that has contributed to its success by facilitating a smooth transition into the country and allowing Vale to develop its business operations seamlessly. Besides that, SIPC has acted as an efficient and logistical partner helping to connect our maritime terminals in Brazil to customers in the region.”

Over the course of 10 years, Vale has invested over USD 380 million with local companies during the project phase (2009-2011), which cost 2 Billion USD and more than USD 1.2 billion investments with local companies from 2012 – 2020 as part of supply chain development. In addition, it has invested over USD 10 million in sustainable and social responsibility projects between 2013 and 2020, as well as more than USD 85 million in ensuring environmentally friendly operations.

Saleh Al Musalhi, Vale Oman Deputy CEO, said, “Vale is a transformational company, one that transforms the environment where it operates. Vale is dedicated to sustainable development regardless of where it operates, identifying the countless opportunities for growth that are available while also recognising the planet’s physical limits. The company is committed to practising and promoting these resources’ efficient use, investing in clean energy, and acting to mitigate the impact of its operations on climate change. The same is true for the Sultanate, where Vale has invested heavily in employing advanced technologies in its pelletising and port operations to adhere to the environmental requirement according to the Environment Authority’s Environmental Regulations.”

The environmental controls that Vale has in place establish it as one of the leading companies regarding compliance with local and global environmental standards. That is in alignment with the company’s plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Commenting on the partnership between Vale and SOHAR, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port, said, “Over the last two decades, SOHAR Port and Freezone has been able to occupy a leading market share in the region, benefiting from its strategic location and partnership with Port of Rotterdam, which is one of the largest ports in the world. We aim to share this experience, alongside the immense support extended by the government to the logistics sector, to further the businesses of our partners and tenants present within our complex. Together, we can work towards enhancing our contribution to the Sultanate’s GDP and the generation of job opportunities for citizens. On behalf of the management of SOHAR, I extend my warmest congratulations to Vale, on the occasion of their tenth year of operations, and have a firm belief that our successes are complemented by those of our partners Together, we continue to position SOHAR as a key logistics hub, both in the region and in the world.”

ISO 14001 Certificate was awarded to Vale in Oman in 2016, and it was renewed in 2019, reflecting the company’s commitment to environmental protection and controls.  Vale in Oman has developed environmental requirements over a period of ten years, including Dust Monitoring Systems and Emissions Controls. In addition to the Green Belt surrounding the plant, a wind Fence surrounds the stockyard with high dust retention efficiency. The company has also implemented the Dry Dust Cruster (DBD), and a unique Spraying System used to cover the Iron Ore Stockpiles to create a thick and long-lasting crust.

Vale has always considered community relations in the areas where it operates as fundamental to its operations’ sustainability. Consequently, it is investing in various initiatives to contribute to social and environmental development in the locations where it is present and offers services to meet communities’ demands and needs. As a result, Vale regularly organizes a series of Corporate Social Responsibility projects in the Sultanate that align with the government’s efforts and strategies to improve the community and the standard of living in the area. Its CSR activities cover everything from Education and Sports to Health, Environment, and even SMEs and Entrepreneurship empowerment.

 Recently, Vale has funded the establishment of Liwa Slaughterhouse with its social investment arm, Jusoor Foundation, to serve the community with slaughtering service in a safe and hygienic place with the best standards.

About Vale:

With operations, commercial and exploration offices, projects, and joint ventures spread across five continents, Vale is one of the world’s biggest mining companies. It operates in more than 25 countries and employs more than 212,400 people (including contractors) across the world. We are leaders in iron ore and pellets production, key raw materials for the steel industry, and the second-largest nickel producer worldwide. Our portfolio also includes coal, copper, fertilizers, manganese, and ferroalloys, among other natural minerals. In addition, we operate in the logistics and energy sectors.

Vale set up its Middle East office in Oman in December 2007 with an aim to expand its presence in key regional markets. The company broke ground for the construction of its Industrial Complex in Liwa in March 2009, comprising a pelletizing plant with a capacity of 9 million metric tons per year and a distribution centre with a throughput capacity of 40 million metric tons. The investment in the project amounted to US$ 2 billion.