Muscat: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals signed today in Muscat two agreements to develop two mining concession areas with a total area of approximately 1,687 square kilometers, with exploratory investments estimated at about RO 6 million, equivalent to USD 15.4 million.
According to Oman News Agency, the first agreement targets developing "Concession Area 51-B", located in the Governorates of A'Dakhiliyah and Al Wusta, spanning an area of 1,050 square kilometers, with exploratory investments estimated at about USD 6.2 million. The exploratory program for the area in its first phase extends for two years and three months, and includes conducting topographic, geophysical, and remote sensing surveys, performing geochemical and physical analyses, alongside drilling and exploratory trenching works.
The second agreement covers "Concession Area 25-E", located in South A'Sharqiyah Governorate, with an area of about 637 square kilometers, and exploratory investments estimated at about USD 9.2 million. The work program focuses on exploring the area through topographic, geophysical, and remote sensing surveys, as well as conducting geochemical and physical analyses, and executing a drilling and exploratory trenching program, thereby contributing to elevating geological knowledge and evaluating the mineral potential of the area.
The two agreements were signed on behalf of the Ministry by Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals. The Minister affirmed that the signing of the two mining concession agreements for Areas 51-B and 25-E represents an extension of the Ministry's efforts to provide investment opportunities, expand exploration and prospecting for mineral resources, and build a base of projects capable of development and transitioning to production. He pointed out that the coming phase will focus on accelerating the transformation of exploration results into productive projects, and maximizing the in-country value of mineral resources through manufacturing and associated processing industries.
He explained that over the past five years, the minerals sector has witnessed a transformation in its investment and regulatory ecosystem, as 28 mining concession areas targeting the exploration and development of a diverse range of mineral ores were awarded, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, silica, and salts, alongside other ores and minerals, with investments dedicated to exploration works.
The Minister added that this coincided with developing the legislative and regulatory framework, adopting the occupational health and safety manual to elevate the standards and efficiency of mining operations, and establishing the Oman Mineral Trading Company to regulate the trading and marketing of ores and enhance the efficiency of their market access, alongside transforming sector transactions and services from paper procedures and applications into an integrated digital system providing a database for the sector, raising the efficiency and flexibility of submitting and tracking applications, and offering investment opportunities in accordance with principles of transparency and equal opportunity, thereby enhancing the sector's competitiveness and the efficiency of managing its resources and investments.
He said that the impact of these efforts has begun to reflect on the sector's economic indicators, as revenues of the minerals sector in 2025 recorded growth of about 39 percent compared to 2024, coinciding with activity expansion and copper ore entering the production phase. He emphasized that the gradual progression of concession areas from exploration to development and production, along with the entry of new projects and sites-led by the Mazoon Copper Mine-into the production phase next year, would support revenue growth, maximize the economic value of mineral resources, expand value chains and in-country value, and enhance the minerals sector's contribution to economic diversification and achieving the targets of Oman Vision 2040.
