A mining concession agreement was signed for an industrial salt project in the Wilayat of Mahout, Al Wusta Governorate of Oman

The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has signed a mining concession agreement with Minerals Development Oman (MDO) for concession area No. 51-k. The site, covering an area of 109km2, is earmarked for extracting industrial grade salt, with an initial annual production of 400kt, later expanding up to 2Mtpy.

The project, known as the Naqa Salt Project, is the result of three years of planning. It will be a solar salt operation based on sea water, with modern technologies for washing and refining the salt. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with the development extending over four years. The project aims to produce high-quality industrial salt in the Wilayat of Mahout through extraction and refining processes, with plans for export via Duqm Port.

Additionally, the Naqa Salt project supports Oman’s strategy to boost in-country value (ICV), by leveraging local raw materials and enhancing the local industries. Currently, Oman is a net importer of salt, importing between 200-300ktpy of salt. The successful completion of this project would launch Oman into the export market. However, the project is also expected to stimulate local downstream development in chemical industries, including chloralkali production and synthetic soda ash manufacturing.