At the Energy and Minerals Forum held in Salalah on Sunday, a senior official of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals delivered a presentation that delved into the historical and geographical significance of minerals in Oman, shedding light on its unique geological features.
Eng Saud bin Khamis Al Mahrouqi, Director General of the Directorate General of Minerals, also Mahrouqi highlighted the most crucial minerals found in the Sultanate of Oman.
A key focus of the presentation was on creating attractive long-term investment opportunities. Al Mahrouqi emphasized the identification and preparation of public sites for building materials, marble, and ornamental stones. These sites underwent a thorough approval process to ensure they were ready for competitive offerings. The ultimate goal was to achieve fairness, maximize added value, optimize the utilization of Oman's mineral wealth, and generate appealing prospects for investment, he said.
The mining sector's performance was also detailed in the presentation. The sales value of mineral ores, both metallic and non-metallic, amounted to approximately RO 98 million. In parallel, the total production of mineral ores (metallic and non-metallic) reached an around 63 million tonnes. The sales volume of building materials in the local market closely aligned with the demand, amounting to approximately 16 million tonnes, catering to the needs of the year 2022.
Furthermore, Al Mahrouqi highlighted the integration of efforts between government agencies, investors, and society. The mining sector played a pivotal role in propelling societal development by providing essential services based on raw materials. It also emerged as an attractive environment for private sector investments, encompassing exploration, production activities, and mineral-based industries. This, in turn, led to increased revenues, export growth, and the generation of employment opportunities.
The presentation underscored the significance of legislation and laws in ensuring sustainable development within the sector. All stakeholders, particularly the workers, were encouraged to assume their responsibilities, mitigate risks, and actively contribute to the sector's positive growth.
One of the strengths of the mineral sector in Oman lies in its provision of geological and mining information and data. This includes geological maps, geophysical and geochemical surveys, and exploration and evaluation studies, crucial for further exploration and development of mineral ores in Oman.
Moreover, the sector's diverse elements enable it to effectively contribute to diversifying the production base and income sources. The rapid growth of exports and the integration of mineral-based products into various industries create numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities, he added.
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