MUSCAT: In a nod to Oman’s promising status as a mining sector powerhouse in the region, the prestigious International Mining Institute (IMnI) has decided to hold its 2024 Annual Conference for the first time in Muscat next month.
Paris-based IMnI is a not-for-profit association representing the global manganese industry, with more than 120 member-companies producing, trading and consuming manganese in 30 countries around the world. The grouping’s mission is to provide vision and guidance to the manganese industry by promoting economic, social and environmental responsibility and sustainability to all stakeholders.
Delegates representing some of the world’s leading manganese mining firms and traders are expected to attend the 3-day annual forum of IMnL, due to take place at a leading hotel in Muscat during June 3 – 5, 2024.
Well-known players registered to attend include Eramet, African Rainbow Minerals, Assore International Holdings Ltd, South32, OM Holdings, Citibank, Glencore International, Transalloys, Autlán, GoodEarth | GoodRock, Jupiter Mines, Hanwa Co, Mitsui & Co Ltd, Nippon Denko, S&P Global, Sumitomo Corporation and Umicore. Taking part from Oman are Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel, Bank Dhofar and Trust Mining.
Manganese is used primarily in the manufacture of stainless steel and a host of aluminium alloys. Of late, however, the metal is being increased coveted for its role in battery powered products. It acts as a stabilizer in the structure of NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) cathode materials, which are the key performing drivers of Li-ion batteries. The presence of manganese in the cathode materials helps determine how long you can talk on the phone, how far you can drive an electric car, how fast a battery can recharge and how much energy you can store from your solar panels. It also has an important impact on the safety of the battery cells, particularly in batteries that power electric cars and electric devices.
Furthermore, the use of manganese in 3D printing applications is being keenly investigated at various international R&D centres eager to harness the high-strength and hardness of the metal as a 3D printing material.
In the Sultanate of Oman, manganese production is relatively minuscule compared to other global producers, but the potential to ramp up exploration and mining of this valuable commodity is promising. Manganese ore deposits in Ras Al Hadd are also being exploited for export, although of late, some private investors have been weighing plans to set up silico-manganese plants and ferroalloy smelters to help add value to these mineral resources.
While in Oman, the conference delegates will be taken on a tour of the operations of Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel at Sohar Port, as well as Trust Mining’s concession in Ras Al Hadd.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
