KEY POINTS
- Oman signed two mining exploration deals with Emaar Mining and Gulf Royal Minerals and Energy, covering 1,687 sq km for about $15.4 million.
- Concession 51-B ($6.2 million) spans Ad Dakhiliyah and Al Wusta, while 25-E ($9.2 million) sits in South Al Sharqiyah, both with multi-stage exploration programmes.
- The minister says reforms lifted mineral revenues about 39 percent in 2025, with the Mazoon Copper Mine due next year under Vision 2040.
Oman has signed two agreements to develop mining concession areas spanning 1,687 square kilometres, with total exploration investment estimated at about 6 million Omani rials, or 15.4 million dollars, state media reported.
The Ministry of Energy and Minerals signed the deals with Emaar Mining and Gulf Royal Minerals and Energy. Moreover, the concessions support Oman’s drive to expand exploration and grow a mining sector central to its economic diversification.
Two concessions, two-year programmes
The first deal covers Concession Area 51-B. Specifically, it sits across the Ad Dakhiliyah and Al Wusta governorates, spans 1,050 square kilometres and carries about 6.2 million dollars of exploration investment. Furthermore, its initial phase runs two years and three months, involving topographic, geophysical and remote-sensing surveys, geochemical and physical analyses, and drilling and trenching.
The second deal covers Concession Area 25-E. According to the ministry, it lies in the South Al Sharqiyah governorate, covers roughly 637 square kilometres and carries about 9.2 million dollars of exploration investment. Consequently, the two areas together broaden Oman’s exploration footprint.
Reforms lift the sector
However, the deals are part of a longer push. According to Energy and Minerals Minister Salim bin Nasir Al-Aufi, Oman has reshaped its investment and regulatory frameworks over five years, awarding 28 concession areas for minerals including copper, chrome, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, silica and salts.
Those reforms are showing results. Specifically, Al-Aufi said mineral revenues rose about 39 percent in 2025 from a year earlier, helped by rising activity and copper ore entering production. Additionally, he pointed to larger projects such as the Shuwaymiyah minerals scheme, which targets 40 million tonnes a year of limestone, gypsum and dolomite.
Ultimately, the minister said the next phase will speed the shift from exploration to production and lift local value through downstream industries. Since new projects such as the Mazoon Copper Mine are due next year, Oman expects mining to strengthen its contribution to diversification under Vision 2040.
