Mining

Liebherr's strategic expansion in the Middle East has solidified its reputation as a leader in providing top-tier Earthmoving and mining machinery.

Known for our rigorous attention to reliability and innovation, we continue to support the region's infrastructure growth with our advanced earthmoving and mining equipment.

Comprehensive Product Range: Liebherr's portfolio includes crawler and wheeled excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, articulated dump trucks, pipelayers, material handling, crawler loaders and telescopic handlers. Our machines are designed for durability and high performance, making them ideal for the harsh conditions of the Middle Eastern projects.

Technological excellence in equipment: Liebherr's earthmoving equipment exemplifies technological excellence, with each machine optimized for high performance and efficiency. Key features across models like wheeled and crawler excavators, articulated dump trucks, and wheel loaders include advanced hydraulic systems for precise operations, hydrostatic drives reducing fuel consumption and wear, and robust designs tailored to demanding environments. These innovations ensure our equipment meets the rigorous demands of various construction, mining, and landscaping projects, enhancing productivity and sustainability.

Expanding presence in the Middle East region: Liebherr subsidiaries and dealerships in the Middle East region are strategically positioned to ensure effective service and parts availability, thereby ensuring peak performance and minimal downtimes of machines.

Mining sector innovation: Liebherr and Fortescue announce significant expansion of zero emission equipment partnership at MINExpo 2024.

The partnership includes jointly developed technology that paves the way for carbon-free mining and features a total of 475 zero emission Liebherr machines – approximately 360 autonomous battery-electric trucks, 55 electric excavators and 60 battery-powered dozers.

This deal is expected to create one of the world’s largest zero emission mining fleets and represents a breakthrough in the pursuit of a mining industry no longer reliant on fossil fuels.

Customer-centric solutions: At Liebherr, we believe in supporting our clients beyond the sale. Our comprehensive service offerings include expert maintenance, specialised training programs, and responsive customer service, ensuring our clients can leverage the full potential of their equipment.

Liebherr's dedication to the Middle East is reflected in our bespoke solutions, which are designed to address the specific requirements of the region's construction and mining industries. By placing customer support and technological advancement at the forefront of our operations, Liebherr not only guarantees superior machinery but also establishes a partnership that clients can depend on for project success.

Minerals Development Oman’s (MDO) total concession area now covers 24,119 sq km. (Image source: MDO)

Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has signed a key mining concession agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM).

The agreement grants MDO the rights to explore and develop strategic minerals within concession area 51F, located in the Al Wusta Governorate, covering 2,156 sq km in the Wilayat of Mahout. This area contains valuable deposits of silica, limestone, and dolomite, all of which are critical for industrial growth and economic diversification in Oman.

Silica, which is in high demand due to its essential role in industries such as glass manufacturing, renewable energy technologies (including solar panels), and energy storage, is a key focus of this agreement. In 2021, the glass industry became the largest consumer of silica sand in the region, and this demand is expected to grow. According to a report by Syndicated Analytics, the GCC silica sand market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.7% from 2022 to 2027, potentially reaching US$513.5mn by 2027.

The new concession positions MDO to become Oman’s first silica sand miner. Silica sand, valued for its high purity (above 97% naturally in this site), strength, and non-reactive properties, is critical for industries such as glass, solar technology, and chemicals. The agreement underscores MDO's and MEM’s confidence in the long-term commercial potential of the concession area.

With the addition of this new concession, Minerals Development Oman’s (MDO) total concession area now covers 24,119 sq km.

Strategic projects

MDO is not just an asset owner but also a driving force for regional mining sector growth. Each project is designed to create value for investors while delivering tangible benefits to local communities through job creation and economic empowerment.

In 2024, MDO launched several strategic exploration projects targeting key minerals, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, salt, and hard silica. Earlier this year, the company broke ground on the Lasil and Al Baydha Copper Mines Redevelopment Project in Sohar, Liwa, which aims to produce 800,000 tonnes of copper ore annually, supported by a confirmed 2.78 million tonnes of commercial-grade copper reserves.

In the coming months, MDO is set to begin construction on the Yanqul Copper Project, managed by its subsidiary Mazoon Mining LLC. Located in the Yanqul region, Mazoon Mining received exclusive rights from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in 2022 to explore, develop, and produce copper concentrates, with gold as a secondary by-product. Following detailed feasibility studies, the Canadian firm Lycopodium has been appointed as the EPCM contractor, with construction expected to commence by the end of 2024. This project represents a significant milestone for MDO, positioning Oman as an emerging player in copper production and advancing the nation’s economic diversification strategy.

Nasser Al Maqbali, CEO of MDO, remarked, "This agreement underscores MDO’s commitment to harnessing the nation’s mineral wealth to create investment opportunities, generate employment, and drive sustainable industrial development. Our exploration of silica resources reflects Oman’s untapped potential to support critical industries, especially those related to the energy transition.

With these projects, MDO is becoming a key player in the region’s mining industry and helping Oman achieve its goals of economic diversification and sustainable growth. By focusing on strategic minerals and building impactful partnerships, we are committed to boosting the mining sector’s role in the national economy."

Circulor’s traceability platform and Rockwell’s existing automation systems provide actionable insights that can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and create a competitive advantage in the evolving sustainability landscape. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Circulor, a leading supply chain traceability solution provider, has agreed to collaborate with Rockwell Automation, a company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, in order to help customers trace the origin of raw materials from source to final product

Circulor’s platform empowers customers to not only adhere to increasingly strict regulatory standards, but also achieve their sustainability goals by providing a holistic view of the materials journey. As per the new partnership, Rockwell will offer advanced traceability solutions to enable manufacturers to meet emerging regulatory requirements while verifying the source materials, demonstrating digital chain-of-custody and tracking emissions.

Rockwell plans to deploy this solution globally across auto, tyre, battery, metals, mining, and cement industries through Kalypso, a Rockwell Automation business. Kalypso will work closely with customers to assess their unique needs, provide consulting services and support the rollout of this innovative solution across their supply chain.

Manufacturing traceability

Douglas Johnson-Poensgen, chief executive officer of Circulor, remarked, “In an increasingly competitive and complex market where being sustainable and responsible is a strategic imperative, the combination of Rockwell’s state-of-the-art manufacturing expertise and Circulor’s leading traceability and digital product passports provide organisations with the answer to gaining a competitive advantage.”

“Our focus on sustainability aligns with our customers’ strategic objectives,” added James Glasson, vice president of global industry for auto, tire, and advanced mobility at Rockwell Automation. “This collaboration with Circulor allows us to offer a comprehensive traceability solution that not only addresses growing global regulations but also provides unprecedented visibility into supply chain carbon footprints.”

Representatives from Liebherr-Components, Liebherr Mining and BGG. (Image source: Liebherr)

Liebherr has announced that its mining and components product segments will collaborate with Bruno Generators Group (BGG) to investigate low emission power generation through the use of green ammonia as fuel

Having already investigate ammonia as a power source for dual-fuel internal combustion engines, Liebherr will now pool its expertise with BGG, a company that specialises in the design, development and production of power generators, battery energy storage systems and mobile energy solutions.

“We’re thrilled to be working with BGG in this incredibly exciting project. Their innovative mindset and tracked development and delivery of low emission solutions are a perfect match for us as we work towards our zero emissions targets,” remarked Oliver Weiss, executive vice president, R&D, engineering and production, Liebherr-Mining Equipment SAS. “When our combustion engines business unit saw promising results from ammonia as a low and zero emission power source after multiple test bench runs, we were excited to see how we could capitalise on this to provide even more ways our customers can pursue zero emissions.”

Sustainable solutions

Renato Bruno, chief executive officer, BGG, added, “We are very proud of partnering and joining forces with Liebherr Mining in this project. Together, we share a common vision with an uncompromised commitment to sustainability, and we strive to lead the industry in responsible practices.

“This partnership represents an incredible milestone in our pursuit of sustainable solutions for the benefit of our customers in the mining segment. Sharing and blending our respective expertise will further enhance and naturally boost our innovation mindset, accelerating our journey toward a net zero future.”