Metso signed an agreement in January with Mazoon Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), to supply key processing equipment worth $30 million for its copper concentrator plant in Yanqul, Al- Dhahirah province, near the industrial city of Sohar.
The Mazoon Copper project, a cornerstone of Oman’s mining industry, will span 20 square kilometers and comprise five open pit mines with estimated reserves of 22.9 million tonnes of copper ore. It is anchored by a state-of-the-art processing plant covering 56,000 square meters with an annual processing capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of copper ore. The facility is designed to produce 115,000 tonnes of high-grade copper concentrate with a high-grade purity of 21.5%. This is a landmark project for the development of Oman’s mining industry, while also meeting the country’s broader economic diversification objectives in line with Vision 2040.
Groundbreaking at Mazoon, Oman’s largest copper project, took place in November last year. The project is an important step in meeting the growing global demand for copper, a key component of renewable energy technologies and electrical infrastructure.
By leveraging its rich mineral resources and implementing state-of-the-art technologies, Mazoon Mining aims to position the Sultanate as a competitive player in the global copper market.
Sustainability is one of the core principles of the Mazoon Copper Project. The project has implemented water recycling and waste management systems to preserve the environment, improve air quality and protect groundwater. Minerals Development Oman is implementing exploration campaigns for a number of strategic minerals, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite and silica.
Hélène Tarin, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
