Oman makes its first copper export in 30 years

PDO said that this historic achievement not only revives copper mining in the Sultanate of Oman after nearly 30 years, but also confirms its commitment to economic diversification and sustainability.

Matar bin Salem Al Badi, CEO of PDO, pointed to the historical importance and emphasized the three-thousand-year history of copper mining in the region, including the work of the Oman Mining Company since 1983.

Al Badi said in a press statement, “Exporting the first shipment from the Aseel mine is a testimony to our ability to transform challenges into tangible opportunities for growth.”

The ore processed at Lasell is expected to produce high-quality copper concentrates with purity levels between 18% and 22%. Its average annual production is estimated at about 500 thousand tons of copper ore.

PDO said it also plans to start operating the Al Bayda mine in Liwa by 2025-2026. Together these mines have a combined reserve of approximately 2.78 million tons of copper ore. The first phase of the redevelopment project is expected to extend from 4 to 5 years.

The company said that its vision extends beyond the redevelopment of the Aseel and Al Bayda mines, and that it is actively conducting exploratory studies in nearby areas to enhance copper reserves. Its plans include the Mazoon project, which is the largest integrated copper concentrate production initiative in the Sultanate of Oman.