Sohar Port and Freezone is in talks with a number of parties to set up a 10-million-tonne per year capacity bulk minerals jetty to handle exports of aggregates and mineral ores, a report said.

“We are continuously exploring options to utilize the asset (earmarked) for the export of aggregates, chrome ore, and other minerals from Oman, and we are still trying to find ways and means to get this facility started,” Edwin Lammers, executive commercial manager — Sohar Port and Freezone, was quoted as saying in an Oman Observer report.

“However, we don’t yet see enough aggregate exporters (operating independently or collectively) with the volumes that justify the establishment and operation of a complete jetty of a capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum,” he added.

Exports of aggregates and minerals ores are being handled via the multipurpose, general cargo terminal of C Steinweg Oman, he pointed out.

“We are thankful to Steinweg for honouring its commitments to handle the requirements of aggregate exporters using Sohar Port for their exports.  In the meanwhile, we are looking at all sorts of alternatives, and are in discussions with various parties on the potential use of our asset (earmarked for bulk mineral exports). But these discussions haven’t progressed to an extent that we have something concrete to announce with regard to the operation of this facility,” the official noted.

Lammers was referring to a 220-metre length of the 1.4-kilometre-long deepwater jetty currently operated by Vale Oman as part of its massive iron ore pelletising plant and distribution complex at Sohar Port.

The jetty was proposed to be developed into a dedicated terminal for primarily exports of bulk minerals and aggregates.