MUSCAT: Minerals Development Oman (MDO), the state-owned mining and minerals investment flagship, has made significant strides in advancing the development of a major industrial minerals complex anchored by a deep seaport in Dhofar Governorate.
The proposed Al Shuwaimiyah Industrial Minerals Complex, one of MDO’s biggest mining ventures, aims to commercialise the prodigious quantities of limestone, dolomite and gypsum reserves discovered at Shaleem in the Wilayat of Shaleem & Al Halaniyat Islands in Dhofar Governorate. The project, underpinned by a deep draft mining port capable of handling Capesize and Panamax vessels, has the potential to launch Oman as a major minerals exporter in the region.
Highlighting the progress made in prepping the project for implementation, MDO said in its newly published 2023 Annual Report that a contract for a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) has been awarded, while MoUs have been signed with international buyers committing to offtake nearly 17 million tonnes of gypsum and limestone when the project is operational.
“These MoUs shall be converted to sale agreements starting from the first year of operation,” MDO said in the report. “The Company is currently progressing the DFS and obtaining the final investment decision to proceed with the project. MDO is in discussion with potential investors to partnership in this project,” it further noted.
Discussion discussions are also underway with the government on a model for collaboration to support the incorporation of a fisheries port within the deep seaport, it added.
The Al Shuwaimiyah Industrial Minerals Project will target the development of mineral resources uncovered in Blocks 61A, 61B and 61C awarded to MDO in the wilayat. These concessions, distributed over an area of around 1,500 sq km, are estimated to hold around 1.5 billion tonnes of limestone reserves, 1.3 billion tonnes of dolomite reserves and 960 million tonnes of gypsum.
At peak capacity, total output from Industrial Minerals Complex is projected at 40 million tonnes per annum, underscoring the massive scale of the Industrial Minerals project.
To open up these resources to global markets, MDO aims to construct a deep mining port on the Al Shuwaimiyah coast. Around three mineral berths, equipped with high-capacity loaders, are envisioned for development as part of the port component of the project. A conveyor system will transport the mineral commodities from the site several kilometres inland to the proposed seaport.
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