Mining

Sohar Titanium, Oman’s first titanium slag production project, has officially moved into the production phase following the start-up of its first electric arc furnace at Sohar Freezone.

The RO63.5mn project marks a major step in the Sultanate’s efforts to establish a presence in the global titanium supply chain and strengthen downstream mineral processing industries under Oman Vision 2040.

Yusuf bin Abdullah Al Balushi, acting CEO of Sohar Titanium, confirmed that operations have commenced at the facility’s first furnace, according to the Oman Observer. The furnace has an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes.

“We have started operating the first of our three furnaces. The furnace that has been commissioned has a capacity of 50,000 tonnes and so far we are proceeding according to schedule,” Al Balushi said in a project update.

He added that the remaining two furnaces would be commissioned in stages, with the facility expected to reach its full annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes by the end of 2026.

“By the end of 2026, we expect to have completed and operated all the furnaces and begin exports to overseas customers interested in titanium metal,” he said.

The development is being undertaken by Sohar Titanium (FZC) LLC, a joint venture involving Dubal Holding LLC, Minerals Development Oman (MDO) and TI International through Gulf Titanium DMCC.

Dubal Holding, the Dubai Government’s commodities and industrial investment arm, holds a 65% stake in the venture, while MDO owns the remaining 35%.

Titanium slag is produced through the processing of ilmenite ore in electric arc furnaces and is mainly used in the manufacture of titanium dioxide, a white pigment widely used in paints, plastics, paper, coatings and consumer products.

The remaining titanium output can be processed into titanium sponge and titanium metal, materials valued for their strength, low weight and corrosion resistance.

Al Balushi described titanium as a highly specialised material used across several advanced industries, including aerospace, defence, submarine manufacturing, medical technologies and space applications.

He also revealed that industrial buyers from China, Japan, Europe and the United States have already shown interest in sourcing titanium products from the Sohar facility.

The project is expected to contribute to Oman’s industrial diversification strategy by supporting value-added mining activities, boosting exports and creating opportunities within the country’s growing metals and minerals sector.

Located within Sohar Freezone, the facility also benefits from direct access to regional logistics and export infrastructure, positioning Oman to compete more effectively in international titanium markets.

Pilot Crushtec has been named Metso’s Best Dealer in the EMEA region, a prestigious international accolade recognising the company’s strong commercial performance, customer support strength and long-standing commitment to delivering high-value crushing and screening solutions across the Middle East and Africa

The award positions Pilot Crushtec among Metso’s top distributors globally, while specifically recognising its leading performance across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It also reflects the company’s sustained sales success, technical capability and customer-focused service approach across its Southern and sub-Saharan African territory.

According to Francois Marais, sales and marketing director at Pilot Crushtec, the recognition marks an important milestone for the business and highlights the collective effort of its people.

“This recognition is a significant achievement and a powerful testament to the commitment, expertise and passion of our entire team,” commented Marais.

“Being recognised on an international stage among leading distributors including others across Europe, the Middle East and Africa reinforces our position as a trusted partner and industry leader.”

Marais says several factors contributed to the company securing the award, including continued market growth across Southern and sub-Saharan Africa, robust aftermarket support capabilities and deep product and application knowledge.

“Our consistent sales performance and market growth across Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa has been a key contributor,” explained Marais.

“Despite challenging market conditions in many sectors, we have continued to grow the presence of Metso’s crushing and screening solutions in the region.”

He adds that Pilot Crushtec’s established service teams, technical expertise and parts availability ensure customers receive dependable support throughout the full equipment lifecycle.

“Our team works closely with customers to understand their operational requirements and provide solutions that optimise productivity, efficiency and long-term value,” said Marais.

The recognition follows the recent five-year renewal of Pilot Crushtec’s distributorship agreement with Metso, further underlining the strength of the partnership and ensuring customers across Southern and sub-Saharan Africa continue to access globally recognised crushing and screening technology.

“The five-year renewal of our distributorship agreement with Metso is extremely significant for Pilot Crushtec’s long-term strategy and reinforces the strength and stability of our partnership,” Marais says.

Through the renewed agreement, Pilot Crushtec will continue supplying Metso’s static and mobile crushing and screening equipment to customers operating in some of the region’s toughest mining and quarrying environments. It also supports ongoing investment in technical training, spare parts availability and support infrastructure.

Customers benefit from the combination of world-class technology and strong local backing, with Pilot Crushtec maintaining strategic stock of equipment, wear parts and critical components to minimise lead times and maximise uptime.

“Our highly trained service teams work closely with Metso to ensure that customers receive expert installation, commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting support,” Marais explained. “This ensures machines operate at optimal performance levels throughout their lifecycle.”

The company’s aftermarket portfolio includes genuine spare parts, wear parts, service agreements, technical upgrades and operator training, helping customers maximise productivity and long-term returns.

Looking ahead, Pilot Crushtec plans to build on the latest recognition by expanding its footprint across Africa and further strengthening its support and service capabilities.

“Our priority is to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers and strengthening our position as a leading provider of crushing and screening solutions in Africa, while continuing to build our broader presence and reputation in the global market.,” Marais commented.

This will include broader reach across Sub-Saharan Africa, increased equipment availability and continued enhancement of its aftermarket support network to deliver fast and reliable service wherever customers operate.

“We will also continue investing in skills development and technical training to ensure our teams remain at the forefront of industry expertise and are fully equipped to support the latest technologies from Metso,” he concludedPilot Crushtec Secures Metso EMEA Dealer Honour.

By combining deep regional understanding with global technology partnerships, Pilot Crushtec continues to support the growth and performance of Africa’s mining, quarrying and construction sectors.

The Ministry of Energy and Minerals Oman has granted a mining concession for Block 25-B in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, as part of ongoing efforts to expand exploration activity and strengthen the Sultanate’s minerals sector.

The agreement, signed with Majan Manganese Company, gives the firm rights to explore and develop the 747 sq km concession area. The company is a partnership between local firm Alfirdaws for Mining and Iran-based Farco, combining expertise in manganese extraction, mineral processing and related industrial applications.

Awarded through a competitive process via the Ministry’s Taqa platform, the block is considered geologically diverse, featuring ophiolite formations, sedimentary deposits and other structures associated with mineralisation. Manganese is identified as a key resource, alongside other associated المعادن.

An initial exploration phase, expected to run for two to three years, will include topographical, geochemical and geophysical surveys, as well as the preparation of geological maps covering most of the concession. Drilling and trenching programmes will also be undertaken to assess mineral potential across a substantial portion of the site. Investment in this phase is expected to exceed US$4mn.

Officials noted that the project aligns with national ambitions under Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises economic diversification and the development of non-oil sectors. The concession is intended to attract investment, enhance value creation from natural resources and support the growth of local supply chains.

The Ministry highlighted North Al Sharqiyah as a promising mining region, with multiple agreements already signed to develop its varied mineral resources, including copper, chromium, manganese and laterite. The latest concession further reinforces the governorate’s role in supporting sector expansion.

In addition to resource development, the project is expected to contribute to knowledge transfer and capacity building. The involvement of an international partner with proprietary technology for upgrading lower-grade ores is seen as an opportunity to strengthen technical capabilities within the domestic mining industry.

Authorities also pointed to wider initiatives aimed at improving the investment landscape. These include updates to regulatory frameworks, the creation of designated mining zones and the rollout of digital platforms to streamline licensing and project processes. Infrastructure development, including ports and industrial zones, is also being enhanced to support sector growth.

Efforts are also under way to strengthen occupational health and safety standards and to implement specialised training programmes to develop a skilled workforce aligned with global best practice.

Majan Manganese Company stated it will carry out the exploration programme in line with international technical and environmental standards, aiming to unlock the block’s potential while contributing to sustainable development of Oman’s mineral value chain.

Deep-sea mining could cause significant and potentially irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. (Image source: Gringo/Zemgale via Wikimedia Commons)

Negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council have concluded without agreement on a Mining Code or approval of any deep-sea mining activities, highlighting continued divisions over environmental and regulatory concerns.

Over two weeks of discussions, member states failed to resolve key issues including environmental protections, liability frameworks, inspection mechanisms, compliance procedures and benefit-sharing arrangements. Several countries, including France, Costa Rica, Germany, Brazil and Palau, raised concerns over scientific uncertainties and governance gaps, stressing that these must be addressed before any mining proceeds.

The Council also backed an ongoing investigation by the ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission into potential contractor non-compliance. Preliminary findings indicate that one contractor may have breached its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The inquiry will continue, with further updates expected at the Council’s next session.

The investigation comes amid scrutiny of companies pursuing unilateral deep-sea mining pathways, including Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., a subsidiary of The Metals Company. Concerns have also emerged in countries such as Netherlands and Switzerland regarding potential involvement of national entities in such activities.

Environmental groups and policy experts have warned that deep-sea mining could cause significant and potentially irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. They argue that the lack of comprehensive scientific understanding and regulatory clarity presents substantial risks to ocean health.

Support for a precautionary pause continues to grow, with around 40 countries now backing calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Advocates say this approach would allow time to address knowledge gaps, strengthen governance frameworks and ensure that environmental safeguards are robust before any commercial activity begins.

The outcome of the latest ISA Council meeting underscores the complexity of balancing resource development with environmental protection. As negotiations continue, governments face increasing pressure to establish clear rules that safeguard the ocean while addressing future demand for critical minerals.