Oman Key Mineral Resources

Oman possesses significant mineral resources, including copper, chromite, and gypsum, which are vital to its economy and are being developed for both domestic and export purposes. The country is actively exploring and developing mining projects, like copper and gold, aiming for economic diversification and increased revenues. 

Here's a look at the minerals and their role:

• Ophiolites:
  Oman's mountains contain Exposed Ophiolites, which are rich in metal deposits including chromite, copper, cobalt, gold, lead, magnesium, nickel, and other minerals. 

• Chromite:
  Oman has significant chromite ore reserves and is exporting metallurgical grade chromite to countries like China, responding to rising demand. 

• Copper:
  Oman has identified large-scale copper mining as a strategic project, with foreign mining companies actively involved and plans for a copper concentration plant. 

• Gypsum:
  Oman is a major gypsum exporter, with a large export volume to ASEAN and South/East African countries. 

• Other Minerals:
  Oman also has deposits of asbestos, coal, iron ore, lead, manganese, nickel, silver, and zinc, as well as industrial minerals like clay, dolomite, limestone, marble, quartz, salt, and silica sand. 

• Recent Developments:
  Mining activities in Oman are increasing and focus on projects to diversify the economy beyond oil and gas including projects in copper, gold, and salt mining. 

• Example Projects:

  • Shaleem Mining Development Project: This project focuses on extracting gypsum, limestone, and dolomite for global export.

  • Naqaa Salt Project: A strategic industrial salt production venture in Al-Wusta, aiming for 400,000 metric tonnes of salt annually.

  • Al Washhi-Al Mujazah Copper Mine: This mine in Al Mudhaibi, North Al Sharqiyah, has identified over 16 million tonnes of copper reserves, with plans to produce concentrated copper for commercial sale.

  • Block 10 in Yanqul: This area shows commercially viable discoveries of copper and gold across five sites, expected to yield 1.6 million tonnes of copper per year and generate RO 500 million in annual revenues.

• Government Initiatives:

  • Minerals Development Oman (MDO): A holding company established to play a leading role in the development of the Omani mining sector, investing in and enabling projects.

  • Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM): The governmental body responsible for developing and implementing government policy for exploiting oil and gas resources and also oversees mining policy.

• Economic Diversification:
  The development of the mining sector is seen as crucial for economic diversification, reducing reliance on oil and gas revenues. 

Arabian Peninsula

Oman

Omani Ophiolite World Largest

The Samail Ophiolite in Oman, considered the world's largest and best-preserved thrust sheet of oceanic crust and upper mantle, has been extensively studied by the USGS to understand the geological processes that form oceanic crust, including its tectonic setting, origin, and obduction.

Key Features of the Oman Ophiolite:

• Extensive Exposure:
  The Samail ophiolite spans the northern coast of Oman and the eastern part of the United Arab Emirates, making it one of the largest and best-exposed ophiolites globally. 

  • Thrust Sheet:
    It's a thrust sheet of oceanic crust and upper mantle that has been thrust over the Arabian continent during the Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene. 

  • Part of Alpine Mountain Belting:
    It is part of an elongate belt in the Middle East that forms an integral part of the Alpine mountain chains. 

  • Economic Potential:
    The ophiolite has hosted mineral deposits, including copper and iron, which have economic potential. 

  • Study of Oceanic Crust:
    Researchers study the Oman ophiolite to understand the processes that create and transform oceanic lithosphere. 

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• • In summary: The Samail Ophiolite in Oman is a vital geological site for research due to its excellent preservation and extensive exposure, allowing scientists to study the formation of oceanic crust and its tectonic evolution, as well as understanding mineral deposits.

USGS Studies and Research

• USGS research focuses on various aspects of the ophiolite, including its internal structure, magmatic and tectonic evolution, and mineral deposits.

• The USGS has documented the geological processes that form oceanic crust: utilizing the Oman-UAE ophiolite as a key field example.

• The USGS has investigated hydrothermal vent worms from Cretaceous sulfide ores: in the Samail ophiolite.

• The USGS has mapped hydrothermal discharge zones beneath massive sulfide deposits: in the Oman ophiolite. 

• The USGS has published numerous reports and articles: on the geology, mineral deposits, and Tectonic History of Oman, including the Ophiolite.