MUSCAT, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Oman Strategic and Precious Metals Processing (SPMP), the first antimony and gold exporter and processing facility in Oman, announced on Sunday that it will reach full production capacity in 2020.
SPMP was established in 2014 as a joint venture of the Oman Investment Fund, Britain's Tri-Star Resources PLC and Dutco Natural Resources of the United Arab Emirates.
The joint venture aims to build and operate a modern antimony roasting and gold separation plant in Oman's Sohar Freezone.
"The SPMP project is of national significance which follows the government's vision and strategy of economic diversification and the increase of the contribution of non-oil sectors," said Nasser Suleiman Al Harthy, chairman of SPMP.
Operating at full capacity, SPMP will produce 20,000 tonnes of antimony products and 50,000 ounces of gold per year, representing 15 percent of the average amount of the world's production of antimony.
"Upon completion, the project is expected to place Oman firmly and strategically on the global map of minor and precious metal producers and open a new chapter in the industrial journey of this nation," Al Harthy noted.
