Muscat: SOHAR Port and Freezone celebrated the official start of construction of the USD 50 million (approximately RO 19.2 million), zinc-bearing materials / zinc residues Recycling Industrial Park being developed by Oman Zinc (FZC) LLC, Oman Zinc Group. The groundbreaking marks another milestone in SOHAR Freezone's continued success in attracting strategic industrial investments that support Oman's industrial diversification ambitions.
According to Oman News Agency, the groundbreaking ceremony was held under the auspices of Sheikh Saif Khaled Al Risi, Member of the Shura Council. Located on a 100,000 square meters site within SOHAR Freezone, the project will establish an integrated zinc recycling and processing operation spanning material recovery, refining, SHG zinc ingot, and SHG zinc oxide production and export.
Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of refined zinc ingots and 50,000 tonnes of zinc oxide annually for customers across the GCC, India, Pakistan, and wider international markets. 'This project represents another important step in strengthening SOHAR's integrated metals ecosystem through advanced manufacturing, downstream value creation, and greater resource efficiency,' said Dr. Raid Al Rubaiey, CEO of SOHAR Freezone and Deputy CEO of SOHAR Port.
The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will introduce zinc-bearing materials / zinc residues processing and pilot-scale SHG zinc ingot production. The second phase will establish a full-scale SHG zinc ingot refinery and SHG zinc oxide production plant, expanding the operation from initial material recovery into higher-value industrial processing.
'Breaking ground on Oman Zinc facility marks a significant milestone in Oman Zinc Group's international growth and our long-term commitment to the Sultanate of Oman,' said Lin Feng, Chairman of Oman Zinc Group. 'SOHAR offers a distinctive combination of industrial infrastructure, global maritime connectivity, and access to important growth markets. Through this investment, we aim to build a competitive regional platform for zinc recovery and processing while contributing to the development of Oman's advanced manufacturing capabilities.'
The facility's refined zinc ingots and zinc oxide will support a range of downstream industries, including galvanizing, alloy production, batteries, and specialty chemicals. The project will also support more circular industrial practices by recovering zinc-bearing residues and converting them into commercially usable products.
Beyond direct production, the facility is expected to generate demand across logistics, maintenance, technical services, industrial support, and specialist contracting. Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the Oman Zinc project further reinforces SOHAR Port and Freezone's position as a globally connected industrial and logistics hub that continues to attract high-value manufacturing investments.