Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Saif bin Khaled Al Risi, Member of the Shura Council representing the Wilayat of Liwa, SOHAR Port and Freezone witnessed the official start of construction of the USD 50 million, approximately OMR 19.2 million, zinc-bearing materials / zinc residues Recycling Industrial Park being developed by Oman Zinc (FZC) LLC, Oman Zinc Group. The groundbreaking marks another milestone in SOHAR Freezone's continued success in attracting strategic industrial investments that support Oman's industrial diversification ambitions.
Located on a 100,000 square meters site within SOHAR Freezone, the project will establish an integrated zinc recycling and processing operation spanning material recovery, refining, SHG zinc ingot, and SHG zinc oxide production and export. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of refined zinc ingots and 50,000 tonnes of zinc oxide annually for customers across the GCC, India, Pakistan, and wider international markets.
“This project represents another important step in strengthening SOHAR's integrated metals ecosystem through advanced manufacturing, downstream value creation, and greater resource efficiency,” said Dr. Raid Al Rubaiey, CEO of SOHAR Freezone and Deputy CEO of SOHAR Port. “By connecting zinc recovery with refining, manufacturing, and export through one integrated ecosystem, we are creating stronger industrial linkages, supporting the more productive use of resources, and expanding Oman’s participation in global metals value chains. The speed at which this project has progressed from agreement to construction also reflects SOHAR’s ability to translate international investor confidence into tangible and sustainable industrial growth.”
The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will introduce zinc-bearing materials / zinc residues processing and pilot-scale SHG zinc ingot production. The second phase will establish a full-scale SHG zinc ingot refinery and SHG zinc oxide production plant, expanding the operation from initial material recovery into higher-value industrial processing.
“Breaking ground on the Oman Zinc facility marks a significant milestone in Oman Zinc Group’s international growth and our long-term commitment to the Sultanate of Oman,” said Lin Feng Chairman of Oman Zinc Group. “SOHAR offers a distinctive combination of industrial infrastructure, global maritime connectivity, and access to important growth markets. Through this investment, we aim to build a competitive regional platform for zinc recovery and processing while contributing to the development of Oman’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.”
The facility's refined zinc ingots and zinc oxide will support a range of downstream industries, including galvanizing, alloy production, batteries, and specialty chemicals, complementing SOHAR's established metals cluster while creating opportunities for future industrial investment.
The project will also support more circular industrial practices by recovering zinc-bearing residues and converting them into commercially usable products. This reduces the loss of recoverable industrial materials, supports more efficient resource use, and creates additional economic value from industrial by-products.
Beyond direct production, the facility is expected to generate demand across logistics, maintenance, technical services, industrial support, and specialist contracting, creating additional opportunities for local suppliers and supporting the continued growth of SOHAR's industrial ecosystem. Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the Oman Zinc project further reinforces SOHAR Port and Freezone's position as a globally connected industrial and logistics hub that continues to attract high-value manufacturing investments, strengthen industrial integration and create long-term economic value for Oman.
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