MUSCAT -- The Port of Duqm's recent announcement that it is gearing up for the commencement of mineral exports, augurs well for the commercialisation of the Wusta region's massive limestone deposits, among other minerals. According to officials, limestone is likely to be the mineral of choice for early exploitation and export from Duqm Port, a scenario that promises to herald investments in local mineral processing facilities which in turn will pave the way for commercialisation of the region's prodigious and diverse mineral wealth. In recent remarks to journalists, Port of Duqm's Commercial Director Reggy Vermeulen, voiced strong optimism that exports of minerals from the Sultanate's newest maritime gateway would commence as early as during the Q4 2013 / Q1 2014 timeframe. He identified limestone and attapulgite as among the first of the Wusta's prolific mineral resources that were in the sights of mining companies.
Unlike most other minerals, limestone requires very little of processing before it is ready to be shipped to consumer markets. Moreover, Duqm is endowed with huge quantities of high grade limestone, much of it located within a few tens of kilometres of the port. Consequently, the mineral -- a key ingredient in the production of steel, cement, various chemical products, and even marble -- can be mined, trucked and exported from Duqm Port at attractively economical rates, say officials. Geological mapping studies commissioned by the Minerals Directorate of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry have uncovered two principal sites believed to hold immense quantities of high-grade limestone at Duqm. One is located at Al Safiya, just 15km west of the port, while the other is at Al Hudaybah, about 20km south of the gateway. Their proximity to the port makes them suitable for immediate exploitation.
According to officials, the limestone of Al Safiya is of a grade and quality that make it suitable for use as key ingredient in the manufacture of cement. Covering the top of the Safiya escarpment, the deposits appear in a swathe extending a staggering 20 kilometres long, 400 metres to 2km wide and around 20 metres thick. Chemical analysis of samples obtained from the site reveal a 93 per cent concentration of calcium carbonate and 1 per cent of magnesium oxide. Mixed with shale mined from a site about 10km north of Duqm Port, and blended with small amounts of imported bauxite, silica and laterite, it makes for a superior grade of Portland cement, it is pointed out.
On the other hand, the limestone deposits at Al Hudaybah are ideal for lime production or as an ingredient in steel manufacturing. The top 20 - 35 metres are made up of high quality limestone with a calcium carbonate content of over 97 per cent and magnesium oxide of around 0.7 per cent. These concentrations make this particular grade of limestone perfect as a raw material in the production of ground calcium carbonate, as well as for a range of high-end applications. Moreover, the construction of a new coastal road leading south from the port opens up convenient access to this site, officials add.
For its part, the Port of Duqm says it will assist interested investors in obtaining all relevant data, as well as facilitate applications for exploration permits and appraisal work. It has stressed however that shipments of mineral products from Duqm will only be allowed against the production of permits expressly authorising such exports. This is in light of the government's recent decision to suspend the issuance of new permits for exports of unprocessed mineral products. The move is aimed at encouraging investment in mineral processing and value-addition activities.
© Oman Daily Observer 2013
