
Green Tech Mining and Services LLC commissions Arjaa Tailing Processing Calibration Plant
The event was graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including His Excellency the Vice Minister of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Austria, Andreas Reichhardt, Mr. Mattar Al Badi, CEO of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), and a number of highly ranked officials of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the local Government of Sohar. Their presence underscored the global and national importance of sustainable mining practices and the alignment of Oman's mining initiatives with international standards.
During the ceremony, Chairman Mr. Ernst Grissemann delivered a keynote address emphasizing the company's vision for sustainability and its commitment to producing 'green copper', a critical component in global decarbonization efforts. In his speech Mr. Grissemann highlighted the plant's role in supporting Oman's sustainable development goals while setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible tailings processing.
'On this momentous occasion we celebrate not only the remarkable achievements of our copper tailings remediation project and copper cathode production in Oman, but also to honor the 5th ascension anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. It is a privilege to align these milestones with significance in Oman, reflecting our shared vision for a brighter and more sustainable future. Today, we proudly announce the successful production of the first high-purity copper cathodes in Oman since 1996. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in the transformation of the mining sector, as we take strides toward becoming an industry that prioritizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Our commitment is to create an environmentally friendly and fully transparent industry that benefits all stakeholders. In collaboration with our esteemed partner, Mineral Development Oman, and with a €100 million 'green-certified' investment from BPG Precious Metal Storage PLC in Austria, this initiative exemplifies the power of international cooperation of two friendly countries. As responsible investor and operators in mining waste management, we remain steadfast in our commitment to contribute to Oman's Vision 2040. By fostering innovation and sustainability, we aim to support Oman's journey toward a greener and more prosperous future, ensuring that our endeavours leave a positive and lasting legacy.'
H.E. the Vice Minister of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Austria, Andreas Reichhardt addressed the guests, underlining the importance of the project for the economic relations between the Republic of Austria and the Sultanate of Oman. 'I am very happy to have witnessed this commissioning ceremony here at the site. I am convinced that this project will be a lighthouse project in our bilateral economic relations. It underlines the ever-increasing importance of the mining sector and will also generate a great amount of local added value in Oman.'
The plant located in the Batinah region has been designed to process mine tailings efficiently while minimizing the environmental impact. By recovering valuable metals, including copper, the facility represents Green Tech Mining & Services ' vision of resource circularity and innovation. The project aligns with Oman's 2040 Vision for diversified economic development based on innovation and for environmental sustainability.
The event included a guided tour of the facility, showcasing its state-of-the-art technology and operational capabilities to the distinguished guests and stakeholders. The Arjaa Tailings Processing Calibration Plant is expected to set a benchmark for future projects in sustainable mining and resource recovery across the region.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Khazaen Port links with Suhar via customs corridor
MUSCAT: Khazaen Dry Port, part of the Asyad Group, has been accredited as a terminal for receiving containers from international ports and has launched a secure customs corridor with SOHAR Port and Freezone to enhance integration across Oman's port network and boost supply chain efficiency. The corridor marks a major step in improving the import, export and re-export system for the private sector, enabling traders and investors to move goods more smoothly in a secure customs environment. This will reduce operational costs, improve logistics performance and give Omani firms easier access to global markets. The project features an advanced customs system that allows clearance from a single station at Khazaen Dry Port, using a shipping agent's lead instead of traditional sealing and accepting written guarantees. These measures save time and effort, improving the user experience. This initiative reflects Asyad Group's commitment to facilitating cross-border trade and aligning with global best practices, supporting growth in Oman's commercial and logistics sectors. Khazaen Dry Port CEO Saad Bait Naseeb said the development is a milestone in Oman's logistics environment, offering greater efficiency and reliability for investors and reinforcing Oman's role as a strategic trade gateway linking the region to the world. He stressed that Khazaen Dry Port will continue innovating advanced solutions that support Oman Vision 2040 and create new opportunities for trade and investment growth. — ONA


Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Oman's manufacturing moment: Building the economy of tomorrow
Oman stands at a pivotal juncture in its economic journey—a moment that demands bold, strategic decisions to shape long-term prosperity. For decades, the nation's growth was anchored by its hydrocarbon resources, which provided essential revenue and enabled major infrastructure development. However, as global dynamics evolve—marked by shifting supply chains, digital disruption, and the climate transition—it has become clear that a new engine is needed to drive sustainable development. Vision 2040 provides that roadmap, emphasising economic diversification, resilience, and international competitiveness. Among all sectors, manufacturing emerges as the most critical lever to deliver on these ambitions. It is not simply one industry among many; it is a force multiplier that catalyses growth across the economy, generates skilled employment, accelerates technology adoption, and enables Oman to transform raw materials into high-value exports. In a world increasingly defined by strategic self-sufficiency and regional production hubs, Oman must fully commit to its manufacturing sector—not as an alternative, but as a national priority. The manufacturing sector has demonstrated significant growth and resilience, aligning with national strategic objectives. The sector's average growth rate of 7.35% during the tenth five-year plan, culminating in 2024, is a clear testament to this momentum. Notably, Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) at constant prices reached RO 3.624 billion in 2024, accounting for 8.3% of GDP. Foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector increased in the first quarter of 2025 to reach RO 2.749 billion, a growth rate of 27.5% compared to the same period last year. This growth was in industrial sectors, most notably renewable energy technologies, as well as medical, food, and others. This sustained growth reaffirms the sector's critical role in diversifying Oman's economy and enhancing national resilience. The consistency in MVA growth—7.1% in 2021, 14% in 2022, and 8.3% in 2024, despite a temporary contraction in 2023—demonstrates both resilience and scalability. Simultaneously, industrial exports reached RO 6.232 billion in 2024, following a substantial 44% increase in 2022 driven by strong global demand for petrochemical and metal products. Foreign investments in the manufacturing sector have doubled over a short period, growing from RO 2.03 billion in 2020 to RO 4.575 billion in 2023, now constituting nearly 10% of total foreign investments. This increase indicates robust international confidence in Oman's industrial ecosystem and future prospects. The manufacturing sector is not only a driver of output and trade but also a catalyst for job creation. Its high economic multipliers ensure that for every 100 direct jobs created, hundreds more are supported across the value chain. This is particularly vital for Oman's youth and rural populations, where employment opportunities can be expanded through industrial integration with sectors like mining and fisheries. The approved national manufacturing strategy, accompanied by a clear implementation roadmap, lays out significant opportunities for the private sector. From high-value mineral processing to sustainable marine production and localised supply chains, Oman offers fertile ground for innovation, investment, and scalable enterprise-led growth. At the heart of Oman's manufacturing advantage lies its ability to integrate upstream sectors — particularly mining and fisheries — into higher value chains. Oman is rich in strategic minerals like copper, gypsum, and limestone, and the country is finally beginning to move beyond extraction toward advanced processing and industrial transformation. The development of the green copper cathode facility in Duqm is a prime example. This project signals a shift from volume to value, from exporting ore to producing refined, sustainable materials with high market demand. The same holds true for fisheries. Long a traditional livelihood, the sector is now primed for industrialization through cold chain development, product innovation (such as marine collagen and bio-based plastics), and international export logistics. Manufacturing is the backbone that will transform these natural advantages into sustained economic returns, connecting rural supply with global demand and embedding more of the final product value within the Sultanate of Oman's borders. To fully unlock this potential, four core enablers must be prioritised. First, Oman must accelerate the development of a skilled, adaptive workforce. The factories of the future demand technicians, designers, process engineers, and digitally literate operators. These are not skills that can be imported at scale—they must be cultivated domestically through education reform, public-private training partnerships, and a reimagining of Omanisation. This policy must evolve from a quota system into a strategy for building national industrial capacity. Second, the financial ecosystem must be tailored to industrial needs. Manufacturing projects require long-term capital and risk-tolerant finance structures. Oman should expand equity-based instruments, offer industrial scale-up funds, and strengthen export credit tools that incentivise private investment into priority sectors. Third, regulatory clarity and speed must be addressed. Investors — both local and foreign — require transparent, predictable processes for licensing, land allocation, and labor approvals. Digital platforms like Invest Easy must evolve into seamless, integrated one-stop shops, supported by stable, pro-business regulatory environments. Finally, Oman must pursue a cluster-based strategy, focusing resources on industrial hubs such as Suhar (advanced materials), Duqm (green industry), and Salalah (agrifood and fisheries). These clusters promote scale, knowledge spillovers, and supply chain efficiency—conditions that individual factories cannot create in isolation. Globally, the timing has never been better. According to Unido, while global manufacturing experienced a modest slowdown in early 2025, high-tech subsectors like computers and electronics remain resilient and are expected to lead recovery. Oman, with its energy security, political stability, and access to three continents, is perfectly placed to integrate into reconfigured global value chains. As the world increasingly embraces 'friend-shoring' and strategic sourcing from reliable, neutral nations, Oman's appeal as an industrial partner is only set to rise. But this window of opportunity will not remain open indefinitely. Global competition is accelerating, and those who move fastest will define the next generation of industrial leadership. Oman must act decisively—channeling its incentives, infrastructure, and investment into building a manufacturing economy that is not only competitive but indispensable. The data is encouraging. The foundations are in place. Now, what is required is execution. Manufacturing is the sector that bridges Oman's resource wealth with its developmental aspirations. The future is not only possible—it is being built now. Right here. Right in Oman.


Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Vision in action: Building Oman's future
QASIM AL MAASHANI MUSCAT, AUG 10 In a nation defined by transformation, few individuals have done more to shape Oman's private sector and national identity than Dr Siham Al Harthy. Entrepreneur, reformer, and board member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Dr Al Harthy has carved out a path of leadership rooted in integrity, resilience, and purpose. As Chair of OCCI's Tourism Committee and CEO of Siham Development & Investment, she is not only steering economic initiatives but reimagining what development looks like—infused with cultural relevance and long-term impact. Her journey, as she tells it, began not with power, but with a problem. 'Early in my career at the Ministry of Housing, everything was still on paper,' she recalls. 'There was no digital archive of land records. Retrieving data could take weeks.' Rather than accept a flawed system, Dr Al Harthy led a nationwide digitisation effort, mobilising experts, forming cross-governorate taskforces, and persuading wary officials to embrace digital solutions. 'That experience taught me that real leadership means solving the problems others avoid—and doing so with purpose.' It was a pivotal moment. Rather than stay within the system, she chose to build new ones. Founding her own firm, Siham Development & Investment, she sought to deliver projects that went beyond profitability, marrying economic viability with national values. 'I saw a gap in developments that balance returns with cultural identity—so I created a company to close it.' Her portfolio spans smart infrastructure, tourism assets, and real estate. But beyond the balance sheets, her work is driven by a deeper mission: ensuring Omani development tells an Omani story. CHALLENGING THE NORMS Being one of the first two women elected to the OCCI Board did not come without resistance. Dr Al Harthy faced persistent questions about her ability to lead, manage partnerships, or represent Oman on the international stage. 'I focused on delivering results,' she says. 'I even founded the first women's association in Al Qabil back in the 1990s—not because it was popular, but because it was necessary.' Her success, over time, has spoken for itself. She believes it is time for women in leadership to become the norm—not the exception. 'Girls need to grow up seeing women lead forums and shape strategy. That's when ambition becomes natural, not radical.' PRIVATE SECTOR AS ENGINE OF VISION 2040 At the core of Dr Al Harthy's work is a firm belief in the role of the private sector in advancing Oman Vision 2040. 'It's not a government vision—it's a national one. And the private sector is its engine.' Through her role in OCCI, she has helped local firms access global markets—such as through digital marketing agreements with UK-based platforms. These steps, while modest in scale, have significant systemic impact. 'We're aligning entrepreneurship with policy and investment. The goal is not just to grow companies—but to grow capacity.' When it comes to tourism, Dr Al Harthy sees storytelling—not sales—as Oman's most strategic asset. 'Oman isn't a product to sell; it's a story to tell. But stories need infrastructure.' She points to Dhofar's monsoon season, which draws thousands of visitors but leaves few long-term economic benefits. That's changing. Her team is now working on tourism projects that blend eco-tourism, youth training, and community inclusion—transforming seasonal booms into sustainable cycles. 'Investors today want value with values,' she explains. 'Green resorts, heritage trails, integrated tourism zones—those are what we're seeing more of. Oman's authenticity is our edge.' INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION Dr Al Harthy's message to young Omanis is clear: start now. 'Don't wait for permission. Don't wait for perfection. I began many of my initiatives with little more than clarity of purpose and the courage to try.' She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start small, solve real problems, and stay grounded in their values. 'That's where resilience comes from.'When asked about the principles guiding her leadership, Dr Al Harthy answers without hesitation: 'Integrity. I've slowed down major projects to protect long-term national interests. But I sleep peacefully knowing my decisions are value-driven—not ego-driven.' Inclusive leadership is also central to her philosophy: listening deeply, mentoring youth, and building coalitions. 'I believe in leaving space for others to rise.' As for her legacy? 'I don't want to be remembered just as a builder of projects—but as a builder of people and institutions. Someone who showed that women can lead boldly—without losing their values.' She's currently working on a green hospitality model that blends youth training, local capital, and cutting-edge construction tools such as 3D printing—a scalable initiative aimed at redefining sustainable tourism in the region. 'It's not just about building a hotel—it's about building a model others can replicate.' CLOSING THOUGHTS Dr Siham Al Harthy is not merely participating in Oman's development—she is shaping it. With every initiative, every boardroom discussion, every community project, she brings purpose to the forefront of progress. Her story is a blueprint for a new kind of leadership—one rooted in national pride, global fluency, and unshakable integrity. In a time when vision alone is not enough, Oman has in Dr Al Harthy a builder who leads with both clarity and conviction. And through her, a new generation sees that Oman's future is not only possible—it's already under construction.