Geological Exploration, Mapping, Economic Potential and Assessment of the Dimension stone Resources of Oman

Mining is a very old tradition in Oman dating back to the third millennium B.C. In the last decade modern mining and exploration began at several sites in Oman. Over the past 30 years different local and international exploration and mapping teams as well as researchers have contributed to the establishment of a mineral inventory of Oman. The future strength of Oman s economy will be influenced to a large extent by the development of its natural resources. Oman possesses significant potential of industry rocks and dimension stones including limestone, dolomite, marble, granite, gabbro and gneiss. Presently, main industries based on industrial rocks and minerals are in the construction sector. The greatest industrial mineral potential in Oman exists mainly within the Semail ophiolite where significant coarse grained gabbro and harzburgite are present. Dimension stone potential also exists in the Hawasina and Sumeini nappes (exotic crystalline limestone and marble), the autochthonous sedimentary rocks (limestone and dolomite), and in the crystalline basement (granite, granodiorite and gneiss). Geoscientific and engineering activities planned in this project will focus on the build-up of a database of spatial and point information on dimension stones of Oman, that allow for the production of thematic geoscientific and geotechnical maps of different scale and for all areas of interest. These maps may answer questions raised by engineers and entrepreneurs alike who are in search of dimension stone and assist people from the administrative boards to take the right decision in the so-called conflict of use between exploitation of near-surface deposits and the protection of the environment. Moreover, mapping is an integral part of geological research which will always be the focal point of geoscientific investigations in the Earth Sciences Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University from whatever angle you may look at the upper part of the earthandacute;s crust. This work will examine the potential to develop the indigenous dimension stone resources of Oman. The three major rock types with dimension stone potential are the sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks in the northern, central and southern parts of Oman.