MDO and Metso Partner on $30 Million Copper Concentrate Plant for Mazoon Project
Minerals Development Oman (MDO), the country’s premier mining investment entity, has signed a $30 million contract with Finnish industrial machinery company Metso for the supply of a cutting-edge copper concentrate plant. This plant is a key component of MDO’s Mazoon Copper Project, under development in the Wilayat of Yanqul.
The agreement was formalized during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MDO, part of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), emphasized that the partnership with Metso will deliver advanced equipment and technological solutions essential for copper concentrate production, marking a significant milestone for the Mazoon Copper Project.
The project, launched officially in November 2024, is Oman’s largest integrated copper concentrate production venture. Located in the Al Dhahirah Governorate, it spans 20 square kilometers and includes five open-pit mines with reserves of approximately 22.9 million tonnes of copper ore. The accompanying state-of-the-art processing facility will cover 56,000 square meters and has an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of copper ore.
Once operational, the facility is expected to produce 115,000 tonnes of copper concentrate annually, with a copper grade of 21.5%. The project is poised to position Oman as a strategic hub for high-quality copper concentrate production, addressing growing global demand for the metal.
MDO subsidiary Mazoon Mining Company oversees the project, which is set to commence production in the first quarter of 2027. Extensive exploration and planning led to a 2022 concession agreement for Concession Area 12-A1. Canadian engineering firm Lycopodium has been engaged to provide engineering, procurement, and construction management services.
The Mazoon Copper Project is expected to bolster Oman’s mining sector and contribute to meeting both local and international market demands for copper.
