Minerals Development Oman awards Hongda International $416mn 10-year mining contract for Mazoon Copper Project

Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has awarded a $416mn contract to China’s Hongda International to manage mining operations at the Mazoon Copper Project under a 10-year agreement, Muscat Daily reported (carried by ZAWYA Projects on 5 November 2026). The agreement was signed during the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to China.

The contract covers copper ore extraction, waste rock removal, ore handling and transportation to the concentrator plant, and the execution of mining operations in line with technical requirements and safety standards, MDO said in a statement. The project, in concession area 12A-2 in the Wilayat of Yanqul, Dhahirah Governorate, spans 20 sq km, comprises six open-pit mines and has a combined production capacity of 22.9mn tonnes of copper ore.

The exact signing date was not given, and MDO’s own release has not been seen.

What to watch: Mobilisation of mining operations and the start of commercial production at Mazoon.

Sources: Muscat Daily via ZAWYA Projects, 5 November 2026. Reviewed 7 November 2026.