twitteryou tubefacebookfacebookacp

Mining

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.”

Bernard Kaninda, FLS president sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa. (Image source: FLSmidth)

Customers can benefit from stronger regional capabilities developed by FLS, according to Bernard Kaninda, FLS president sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

According to newly appointed FLS president sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Bernard Kaninda, regional capabilities are important for customers. As a leading full flow sheet technology company, FLS occupies a distinctive place in the market, says Kaninda, giving it a special relationship with customers.

“Being a partner through all their mineral processing requirements, FLS walks with customers throughout the lifecycle of a comprehensive range of equipment and solutions,” he says. “This engagement gives us greater impact in helping the mining industry achieve its sustainability goals.”

FLS aligns itself with industry imperatives by committing to energy and water reduction targets, and committing to reach zero emissions by 2030. To achieve these goals, he says, it was imperative to further grow the region’s capability – shifting from the previous regional definition which comprised sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and Southern Asia to a more cohesive EMEA region.

“We believe the move to an EMEA region will better create the capabilities we are looking for, combining the strengths of Africa and Europe, and our learnings in the Middle East,” Kaninda explains. “We expect to be able to respond more quickly with services, spares and equipment, and are building local resources to achieve these improvements.”

The focus on communication and partnership is being fostered through clusters within the region, which are empowered with adequate resources for quick response times and effective support for end-users. “As a partner that tailor-makes solutions for our customers, we go further by guaranteeing the performance of that equipment,” he says. “This means being able to respond effectively as and when the situation demands, so we need to be in close proximity to the customers’ sites – and very familiar with the conditions they experience.”

“The mining sector is dynamic, however, so we are constantly expanding our equipment footprint and will be establishing a presence wherever we have a significant installed base,” he says. “It has always been a matter of pride for us that FLS customers will receive the same close attention irrespective of where they are around the globe.”

Streamlined logistics are an important aspect of the strategic shift, which will reduce delivery times through better availability of inventory in-country, facilitating faster access to service and parts. “We are also committed to the communities in the regions where we operate and are increasing our local employment as we develop our presence in different countries,” says Kaninda. “We believe in building local capability and this is visible in our teams, in which 90% to 100% of staff are already local in the region.” These teams are supported by specialised training provided by facilities in South Africa.

PICO, as the authorised distributor for Powerscreen, will provide a wide array of services such as equipment sales. (Image source: Powerscreen)

Powerscreen, a global leader in mobile crushing, screening, and conveying equipment, has appointed PICO Engineering Group as its new authorised distributor for Egypt.

This partnership is aimed at expanding Powerscreen’s footprint in the region while offering improved customer support through PICO’s extensive industry experience and distribution network.

PICO, widely recognised for its strong presence in construction equipment and customer service excellence, will now provide access to Powerscreen’s complete range of advanced crushing and screening solutions. This collaboration ensures that Egyptian customers can benefit from direct access to Powerscreen’s cutting-edge technology and equipment.

PICO, as the authorised distributor for Powerscreen, will provide a wide array of services such as equipment sales, expert technical assistance, spare parts availability, and ongoing maintenance. This ensures that Powerscreen customers receive comprehensive support, maximising the performance and longevity of their machinery.

“We are thrilled to welcome PICO into the Powerscreen family as our authorised distributor in Egypt,” said Imran Kazi, regional sales manager at Powerscreen. “Their deep understanding of the local market, combined with their commitment to excellence, makes them the ideal choice to represent the Powerscreen brand. We are confident that PICO will provide unparalleled support to our customers, helping them to maximise productivity and efficiency with our industry-leading equipment.”

“We are honoured to be appointed as the Powerscreen distributor for Egypt,” said Shahir El Essawy, PICO Engineering group CEO. “Powerscreen’s reputation for quality and innovation is well-known, and we are excited to bring their cutting-edge solutions to our customers. Representing Powerscreen aligns with our commitment to delivering world-class products and services, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.”

More Articles …