MUSCAT: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has launched a public investment opportunity for two limestone mining sites in Salalah, inviting qualified Omani companies to bid for the projects as part of efforts to support the development of the Sultanate of Oman's mining sector and strengthen local production of construction materials.
According to an announcement issued by the ministry, applications will be accepted from July 19 until October 18, 2026 through the Taqa digital platform. The opportunity covers two limestone mining sites located within the Public Mining Area in Salalah.
The ministry said the tender is open exclusively to Omani companies and institutions with proven experience in mining projects and related activities, underscoring the government's focus on increasing local participation in the sector while ensuring technical capability among successful bidders.
Under the terms of the investment opportunity, limestone production from the sites will be restricted to domestic use, with exports not permitted. The condition is aimed at supporting the local construction and building materials industry by ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for the domestic market.
Companies may submit bids for both mining sites. However, the ministry said no company will be awarded more than one site. The restriction also applies to companies owned by the same shareholders if ownership exceeds 30 per cent in relation to the same site, a measure intended to promote wider participation and competition within the industry.
The latest offering forms part of Oman's broader strategy to develop its mining sector, one of the priority industries identified under Oman Vision 2040 to diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbons. Oman has been expanding investment opportunities in mineral resources, supported by geological surveys, regulatory reforms and digital licensing services aimed at attracting private-sector investment.
Limestone is among Oman's most abundant mineral resources and serves as a key raw material for cement, construction aggregates and other building products. Demand for construction materials is expected to remain supported by ongoing infrastructure projects, industrial developments and urban expansion across the Sultanate of Oman.
The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has increasingly used competitive public tenders and digital platforms to allocate mining concessions, seeking greater transparency and efficiency in awarding mineral rights while encouraging responsible resource development.
Interested companies are required to submit their applications electronically through the ministry's Taqa e-mining platform within the three-month application period. Successful bidders will be expected to develop the sites in accordance with the ministry's technical, operational and regulatory requirements while supplying limestone exclusively to the domestic market.
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