oman coal and stones company

Oman Coal and Stones Company: Driving Growth in Industrial Raw Materials

Oman Coal and Stones Company (OCSC) has established itself as a pivotal player in the Sultanate of Oman's mining and industrial sector. Primarily focused on the supply of high-quality coal, gypsum, and limestone, the company serves as a critical link between Omani mineral wealth and both domestic industries and international markets. Its operations encompass mining, processing, logistics, and export, contributing significantly to economic diversification beyond hydrocarbons. This article outlines OCSC's core activities, its strategic importance, and its role in supporting key industries such as cement manufacturing, power generation (for specific industrial applications), and agriculture.

Core Products and Strategic Applications

OCSC’s portfolio is built on essential industrial raw materials. Each product serves distinct sectors with specific quality requirements.

Product	Primary Applications	Key Characteristics / Grades
Coal	Cement production (as a source of heat energy), industrial boilers, metallurgical processes.	Supplied in various grades with specific calorific values and ash content to meet plant specifications.
Gypsum	Cement additive (retardant), wallboard/plasterboard manufacturing, soil conditioning in agriculture.	High purity (>90% CaSO₄·2H₂O) is crucial for construction applications; agricultural grade has different specifications.
Limestone	Cement manufacturing (primary raw material), steel production (flux), construction aggregates.	Quality defined by calcium carbonate content, silica levels, and granulometry tailored to the end-user's process.

The company’s integrated model—from mine planning to quality-controlled processing and efficient port logistics—ensures reliable supply chains for its clients.

Real-World Case: Gypsum Supply for Cement Manufacturing
A prominent example of OCSC’s integrated solution is its long-term contract with a major Omani cement plant. The plant required a consistent supply of high-purity gypsum to regulate the setting time of its cement. OCSC not only secured supply from its mining concessions but also implemented a dedicated crushing and screening line to produce gypsum powder meeting exact particle size distribution (PSD) requirements. This on-site processing minimized handling for the client and guaranteed uniformity, directly enhancing the cement plant's product consistency and operational efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What types of coal does Oman Coal and Stones Company supply?
OCSC supplies thermal coal primarily intended for industrial use, such as in cement kilns. The coal is sourced from international markets to meet the specific demand in Oman, as local coal resources are not the primary focus. The company ensures the coal meets stringent quality parameters for ash content, moisture, volatile matter, and calorific value as required by client agreements.

2. How does OCSC ensure the quality of its mineral products?
The company employs a rigorous quality control protocol from mine face to shipment. This includes regular sampling and laboratory analysis at its processing facilities for parameters like chemical purity (e.g., CaSO₄ content for gypsum) and physical properties (e.g., particle size). Certificates of Analysis are provided with shipments to guarantee specification compliance.

3. Where are OCSC's main mining operations located?
OCSC holds mining licenses for gypsum and limestone in key regions across Oman known for their mineral deposits. Significant operations are located in areas like Salalah (Dhofar Governorate) for high-purity gypsum.

4. Does OCSC only export materials, or does it also supply the domestic Omani market?
OCSC operates with a dual-market strategy. It is a major exporter of Omani gypsum to markets in Asia (e.g., India, Bangladesh) due to its high quality but is equally committed to supplying raw materials like limestone directly to domestic industries within Oman.

5.What logistical capabilities does OCSC possess?
The company manages a complete logistics chain utilizing road transport from mines to its processing hubs and dedicated storage facilities at key ports like Salalah Port or Sohar Port.This integrated approach allows for efficient loading onto bulk carriers for export or timely delivery to local industrial consumers