Tuesday 05 / May / 2026
Muscat: Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has signed a strategic agreement with Australian Arabian Laboratories Services Biyaq to localise advanced mineral laboratory testing services within the Sultanate of Oman.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 10th annual “Rawabet” Forum organised by Oman Investment Authority (OIA).
The move underscores MDO’s commitment to advancing the mining sector and strengthening in-country value.
As per the agreement, a state-of-the-art laboratory will be established in Oman through a phased approach, equipped with the latest analytical technologies, including Sample Preparation, Quality Assurance & Quality Control, X-Ray Fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma and Fire Assay (Furnace).
The laboratory will operate in line with internationally accredited quality standards and is expected to reduce testing turnaround times by 30% to 60%, significantly accelerating mining projects across all stages from exploration to production.
In addition to mineral analysis, the laboratory’s services will extend to oil and gas, environmental chemistry, and industrial testing, broadening cross-sector utilisation and supporting Oman’s economic diversification efforts.
The agreement comes at a time of rapid expansion in Oman’s mining sector. MDO currently operates across 14 concession areas, driving a growing demand for fast and reliable laboratory testing to support exploration and development activities, mineral resource estimation, feasibility studies, and enhanced investor confidence.
Commenting on the agreement, Eng. Mattar Salim Al Badi, CEO of MDO, stated: “This agreement marks a strategic milestone in the development of Oman’s mining sector. It represents a shift from reliance on overseas laboratory services to the localization of advanced, world-class capabilities within Oman.
He added that the selection of ALS Arabia Biyaq followed a rigorous evaluation process and aligns with MDO’s commitment to protecting national geological data, maximizing in-country value, and building qualified national capabilities in support of Oman Vision 2040 and the long-term competitiveness of the sector.”
He added that between 2025 and 2028, minimum 15,000 samples per year—including drill core, rock chip, and stream sediment samples—are expected to be analysed. This volume had previously posed operational challenges due to the absence of an internationally accredited mining laboratory in Oman, underscoring the importance of establishing a sustainable national solution aligned with global standards.
For his part, Nasser Saif Al Rashdi, General Manager of ALS Arabia Biyaq, said: “We are proud of this strategic partnership with MDO, which represents a pivotal step toward localising laboratory testing services for the mining sector. The agreement reflects mutual trust and a shared vision to transfer global expertise and implement the highest quality standards in building a local laboratory ecosystem capable of supporting the sector’s accelerated growth.”
He further noted that the company is committed to delivering comprehensive knowledge transfer and capacity-building programs, including specialized technical training and the development of Omani professionals in laboratory analysis, quality control, and laboratory management, creating high-quality career opportunities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the mining sector.
Previously, reliance on overseas laboratories had resulted in several challenges, including delayed results, high shipping and customs costs, risks related to geological data security, and the loss of domestic economic value.
With the signing of this agreement, Oman’s mining sector enters a new phase, as mineral analyses will be conducted domestically for the first time, reducing turnaround times, safeguarding geological data within Oman, and creating specialised employment opportunities for Omani youth in laboratory, quality, and technical fields.
This agreement represents a tangible shift from an operational challenge to a fully integrated national project, combining global expertise with localisation and establishing a new model for strategic partnerships that support the confident and independent growth of Oman’s mining sector.
