35 mining licenses issued in South Al Batinah during 2025

By the close of 2025, the South Al Batinah Governorate in Oman had issued a total of 35 mining licenses, according to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Of these, 15 are active licenses, primarily for construction material ores, with one license specifically for chromium ore.

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The value of investments in quarries and crushers in South Al Batinah Governorate ranges between OMR500,000 and OMR20 million, depending on the scale of investment, the project scope, and the type of ore.

Juma Khamis Al Bakari, Director of the Minerals Department for the North and South Al Batinah Governorates, informed the Oman News Agency that quarries and crushers are strategically located across various wilayats within South Al Batinah. The distribution depends on the geological formations and the availability of mineral ores, with the Wilayat of Nakhal hosting the largest concentration of quarries. Investment values in these quarries and crushers range significantly, from OMR500,000 to OMR20 million, contingent upon the scale of investment, project scope, and the specific type of ore.

The mining sector's contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) in South Al Batinah Governorate is approximately 0.7%. Al Bakari highlighted that exploration studies and programs are actively underway in the governorate, showing promising indicators for the presence of mineral ores such as copper and chromium. These findings align with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals' objective to foster an integrated mining sector that is competitive on both regional and international stages.

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the contribution of the mining sector in South Al Batinah Governorate to the gross domestic product (GDP) amounts to approximately 0.7% of the total GDP.

Furthermore, 16 licenses are currently undergoing closure procedures due to the depletion of raw materials in those specific quarries. An additional four licenses have yet to commence operations. Looking ahead, a prospecting license for copper ore was issued at the beginning of 2026. Efforts are also focused on finalizing procedures for 13 public-use sites for construction materials within the governorate, with completion anticipated within the current year.

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the investment opportunities available in South Al Batinah Governorate reflect the Ministry of Energy and Minerals’ direction toward building an integrated mining sector that keeps pace with global developments in the mining industry and enhances the competitiveness of the Sultanate of Oman at both regional and international levels.