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Mining

This innovative approach offers a sustainable method for sourcing critical materials. (Image source: Canva)

A groundbreaking study reveals that acid-producing bacteria can dissolve and recover valuable metals like magnesium from mine waste, potentially reducing environmental hazards and providing raw materials for industrial use.

Researcher Nathan van Wyk at the Linnaeus University highlights the method's promise in mitigating pollution, extending mine lifespans, and addressing the growing demand for rare earth elements.

Mine waste, often discarded in large quantities, poses significant environmental risks by leaching harmful metals and chemicals into groundwater. However, this waste also contains untapped reserves of useful metals. Van Wyk’s research focuses on extracting these metals through bacterial acid dissolution, with impressive results. His study demonstrated nearly 100% magnesium recovery from magnesium-rich residues, alongside significant extraction rates for aluminium (68%), calcium (80%), titanium (59%), and rare earth elements like yttrium (42%) from bauxite residues, a by-product of aluminium production.

This innovative approach not only addresses the environmental dangers posed by mine waste but also offers a sustainable method for sourcing critical materials needed for various industries, paving the way for cleaner and more efficient mining practices.

New opportunities

“Acid dissolution of mine waste is a promising way to make use of valuable resources. It reduces the amount of waste, protects nature, creates raw materials for industry and extends the life of the mines. And also advances ‘green’ technology while providing jobs. There are many advantages to this method, rather than just leaving the waste behind,” said Nathan.

A positive side effect of the method is that any residual material can be combined with cheap additives to produce a type of rapid curing concrete.

“With the waste from our process, we can make construction material, like concrete. Our concrete doesn’t need to be calcinated (an energy intensive process) during production as the energy had already been spent. Over 7% of all the energy used in industry globally is used for the production of concrete and cement. So by using this waste we can achieve zero solid waste, and reduce global energy consumption, to a degree,” said Nathan.

Nathan believes that the acid dissolution method needs some development to achieve large-scale production, but lab scale work reveals an elegant and effective process, and he hopes it will be implented by the mining industry in the future.

“We have developed a new technology that has several applications within the mining industry. Through this technology, we can create mining operations into a zero-waste facility,” he added.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 10 November in the Wilayat of Yanqul. (Image source: MDO)

Mazoon Mining, a subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), has officially commenced work on the Mazoon Copper Project.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 10 November in the Wilayat of Yanqul, Al Dhahirah Governorate, under the patronage of His Excellency Abdul Salam bin Mohammed Al-Murshidi, chairman of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA).

As the largest integrated copper concentrate production project in Oman, the Mazoon Copper Project spans 20 sq km and includes five open-pit mines with an estimated 22.9 million tons of copper ore reserves. The project is a critical step in addressing the surging global demand for copper, a key component in renewable energy technologies and electrical infrastructure.

A central feature of the project is the construction of a cutting-edge processing plant. Spanning 56,000 sqm, the facility will have the capacity to process 2.5 million tons of copper ore annually. It is expected to yield 115,000 tons of copper concentrate each year, with a high-grade purity of 21.5%.

Sustainable solutions

This ambitious venture underscores Oman’s commitment to strengthening its mining sector and diversifying its economy in line with its Vision 2040 goals. By leveraging its rich mineral resources and adopting state-of-the-art technology, Mazoon Mining aims to position the Sultanate as a competitive player in the global copper market.

Sustainability is a core pillar of the Mazoon Copper Project. The project has adopted a water recycling system and waste management systems to preserve the surrounding environment, safeguarding air quality, and protecting groundwater. Minerals Development Oman continues to advance its exploration campaigns across a range of strategic minerals, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, and silica.

Al Murshidi said, "This project marks a transformative step in positioning Oman as a strategic copper hub, contributing to the diversification of our national economy and creating sustainable job opportunities for Omanis. We are confident that the project will have a significant positive impact on the local community, supporting SMEs and driving economic development."

Dr. Badar bin Saud Al Kharusi, chairman of Minerals Development Oman, added, "We are proud to see the progress of Mazoon Copper Project after an extensive series of exploration activities. This project marks a milestone for Minerals Development Oman, adding invaluable assets to our portfolio. The company began copper ore extraction from Block 4 in Wilayat of Sohar in 2024 and has continued its exploration efforts across its 23,644 sq km concession area. With the necessary financing secured, the project reflects the trust garnered locally and globally. We are committed to ensuring each project phase meets the highest environmental and social standards."

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.”

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