By: AGBI

Oman has opened four new mining concession areas to investors as it seeks to increase investments in the country’s mining industry.

The ministry of energy and minerals is inviting local and international companies to submit bids for exploration rights, the state-run Oman News Agency reported.

The new areas are part of the 2025 mining bidding round.

The four sites include block D-11 in Al Buraimi Governorate, covering 1,084 sq km, with potential deposits of copper, gold, silver, chromite, as well as industrial rocks such as basalt and gabbro.

The 810 sq km block E-22 in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate is expected to contain copper, gold, silver, chromite and industrial rocks.

Block B-14 in Al Batinah South Governorate spans 2,673 sq km, with indications of copper, gold, silver, chromite and industrial rocks.

The 4,181-sq km block H-51 in Al Wusta Governorate is believed to hold industrial minerals, including silica, salt and kaolin.  

The announcement follows the ministry’s signing of three agreements last month with local companies to pursue exploration and value-added production, attracting investments worth OR192 million ($500 million).

In March state-owned mining major Minerals Development Oman (MDO) announced it was moving ahead with mining projects to exploit the sultanate’s reserves of titanium, copper, chromite and dolomite.