Metso has signed an agreement with Mazoon Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), to supply key process equipment for their copper concentrator plant located in Yanqul, near Sohar Industrial City.
The value of the Metso equipment packages under the agreement is USD 30 million (~29 million euros). Part of the order was booked in the Minerals segment’s 2024 fourth-quarter order intake, and the balance is expected to be booked during the first quarter of 2025.
Metso’s delivery for the crushing and grinding circuits consists of Nordberg® C130 jaw and HP200e™ cone crushers, apron feeders, SAG and ball mills, and mill reline equipment for safe and easy maintenance. In addition, the delivery includes TankCell® mechanical flotation cells, high-intensity Concorde CellTM units and HRT thickeners with a ReactorwellTM feed system. For classification, Metso will deliver MHC hydrocyclones. Larox® PF60 and FFP 3512 filters will be supplied for concentrate and tailings filtration. A PSI500i particle size analyzer and a Courier® 6X SL on-line elemental analyzer will be used for continuous optimization of the grinding and flotation processes to increase recovery and reduce waste.
MDO’s Chief Executive Officer, Mattar Al Badi, remarked: "The Mazoon copper project encompasses an area of 20 km² and is anticipated to become the largest integrated copper concentrate production facility in Oman. This partnership represents a significant milestone for MDO, as it enhances our global partnerships. We are dedicated to incorporating cutting-edge technologies that will enable us to operate our mining and processing activities in a more sustainable and efficient manner. Furthermore, we are pleased to collaborate with Metso – a trusted leader in the supply of process equipment."
The Mazoon Copper Project, a cornerstone of Oman’s mining sector, encompasses five open-pit mines with reserves estimated at 22.9 million tons of copper ore. At its heart lies a state-of-the-art ore processing plant, spanning 56,000 square meters, with an annual processing capacity of 2.5 million tons of copper ore. The facility is designed to produce 115,000 tons of copper concentrate per year, achieving a purity of 21.5%. This landmark project not only underscores MDO’s dedication to advancing Oman’s mining industry but also aligns with the nation’s broader economic diversification goals, setting a benchmark for sustainable resource development.
”As a leading supplier of process technology and services to copper and gold plants around the world, Metso is excited to work as a strategic partner with Mazoon Mining in this greenfield project. A significant number of the products covered by the agreement are part of our Metso Plus offering,” says Piia Karhu, President, Minerals at Metso.