BEIJING: Minerals Development Oman (MDO) signed a RO 161 million ($418.7 million) mining services contract with Hongda International for the Mazoon Copper and Gold Project, anchoring a broader package of industrial and technology agreements with Chinese partners.
The ten-year contract covers open-pit mining operations at the project in the Wilayat of Yanqul, including drilling, loading, hauling and ore delivery, alongside supporting infrastructure and operational facilities.
It was among agreements signed in the presence of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik during his state visit to China, as Omani institutions and companies sought investment, technology and partnerships across priority sectors.
The package was announced at the Omani-Chinese Forum in Beijing, organised by Oman Investment Authority (OIA) under the theme “Prospects for Investment Partnerships”.
Hongda’s contract includes transporting waste rock and dry-processed tailings, constructing roads, undertaking quality-control drilling, and providing housing and other facilities required for mining operations.
The contract is one component of a wider programme spanning renewable energy manufacturing, electricity storage, satellite development, digital infrastructure and logistics.
In solar energy, OIA signed a heads of terms agreement with PCG and Hoymiles for a proposed RO 38.45 million ($100 million) partnership to develop power projects and establish a solar inverter manufacturing plant in the Sultanate of Oman.
The proposed factory would supply the Middle East and North Africa, linking investment in solar generation with the production of industrial components for regional markets.
The announcement did not provide a production capacity or construction timetable for the plant.
In electricity storage, Nama Holding signed a framework agreement with State Grid International Development Limited to evaluate and develop two battery energy storage systems, each with a power capacity of 500 megawatts.
The proposed facilities would be located at the Al Duqm Industrial station and the Al Subaikhi, or Ibri Solar 3, station. Both would operate at 400 kilovolts and connect to the national electricity transmission network.
The agreement did not specify storage duration, investment costs or commissioning dates.
Space cooperation featured two agreements between Oman Lens and Star.Vision Aerospace, covering specialist education, artificial intelligence, satellite development and local technical capabilities.
A five-year programme provides for sponsoring 30 Omanis for master’s and doctoral studies in China, training 1,000 Omani specialists and establishing a joint laboratory for space-related artificial intelligence.
The programme aims to transfer knowledge and develop the national expertise needed to support the sector’s expansion.
A second agreement, covering the “Space Silk Road” programme, involves developing, launching and operating satellites in two phases.
The initial phase comprises seven satellites, with progress to a second phase dependent on the success of the first.
The arrangement also includes establishing a satellite assembly, integration and testing facility in the Sultanate of Oman, alongside technology transfer, professional training and the gradual development of local manufacturing.
In logistics, Asyad Group signed a cooperation agreement with JD.com to develop warehousing facilities and services, beginning with three distribution warehouses.
The facilities would be located at Muscat Airport Free Zone, Khazaen Economic City and SOHAR Free Zone.
The partners plan to integrate their networks to serve markets across the GCC and East Africa, while exploring digital systems, automation and other technologies to improve operational and supply chain efficiency.
OIA separately signed a memorandum with China International Marine Containers to support the company’s expansion in the Sultanate of Oman and draw on its transport solutions and international networks.
Digital transformation agreements involved the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Omantel and WPS companies.
One memorandum focuses on cooperation in the government’s digital transformation programme. Another concerns installing Ascend neural processing units, specialised chips and computing accelerators intended to strengthen infrastructure for advanced applications.
Implementation would follow the scope and requirements agreed by the partners.
Abdulsalam bin Mohammed al Murshidi, President of OIA, said the agreements placed strong emphasis on attracting investment and establishing industries and technologies within the Sultanate of Oman.
He said international partnerships could expand access to knowledge, support national capacity building and create opportunities for Omani businesses, while remaining guided by commercial viability.
The agreements span firm service contracts, preliminary terms and cooperation frameworks, with the mining contract setting a defined ten-year scope while several other initiatives remain at the evaluation or development stage.
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