Oman Launches First Integrated Chromite Shipment Exceeding 50,000 Tonnes

OMTC Ships Over 50,000 Tonnes of Chromite Ore Through Sohar Port

Muscat (ONA): Oman Minerals Trading Company (OMTC) has launched its first integrated shipment of Omani chromite ore, with a cargo exceeding 50,000 tonnes through the Port of Sohar, marking a new step in the marketing and export of Omani chromite to international markets.

The company also reported an 8% increase in the average selling price of gypsum exports compared with the same period last year.

The integrated chromite shipment combined several grades of Omani ore in a single cargo, enabling the company to meet the requirements of a wider range of buyers and industrial users. The move is aimed at expanding the customer base, opening new marketing channels and strengthening the position of Omani chromite in global markets.

OMTC’s marketing efforts have targeted Asian and European markets, alongside direct engagement with industrial plants using Omani chromite ore for the first time. The approach is designed to diversify export destinations, expand access to end users and establish long-term commercial relationships.

In the gypsum sector, the company has marketed and exported more than 1.8 million tonnes to 11 countries, through over 32 vessels departing from the Port of Salalah. This was accompanied by an 8% rise in the average selling price compared with the same period last year.

Gypsum export destinations included several Gulf markets, including Kuwait, as well as new African markets. The company also resumed exports to the South Korean market, as part of its efforts to diversify destinations and reduce reliance on a limited number of markets.

Hussain Ali Al Lawati, Chairman of Oman Minerals Trading Company, said the launch of the integrated chromite shipment represents an important step in developing markets for Omani minerals.

He said that market diversification and direct access to end users are key pillars of the company’s marketing strategy, adding that the performance recorded in gypsum exports—including the increase in average selling prices and expansion of market reach—highlights the importance of managing marketing and export operations through a more integrated approach.

Al Lawati said the company’s priority is to achieve the highest possible commercial value for Omani mineral resources, while continuing to meet the requirements of the local market.

He added that OMTC is also working to support the growth of mineral-related downstream industries in Oman by balancing exports with the supply requirements of local industries. This approach aims to increase the added value generated from Oman’s mineral resources and support related investments.

OMTC, a subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), is responsible for marketing and exporting gypsum and chromite ore through the centralised management of export operations and negotiations with international buyers. The company commenced its commercial operations with the export of its first gypsum shipments through the Port of Salalah, as part of its mandate to manage the export of gypsum and chromite from Oman.

Established under Ministerial Decision No. 18/2025, OMTC was granted exclusive rights to export gypsum and chromite ore effective June 2026, while domestic sales remain outside the company’s mandate. Through its centralised export model, the company aims to streamline marketing and negotiations, improve access to international markets and buyers, and enhance transparency and competitiveness in the marketing of Omani mineral exports—supporting their commercial value in global markets.