Metso says it has signed an agreement to supply key process equipment for Jinnan Iron & Steel Group’s greenfield iron ore concentrator plant, in Oman.

The facility will be constructed in Sohar, a port city about 200 km north of Oman’s capital Muscat. The plant aims to produce 12.6 Mt/y of high-grade iron ore concentrate, and is set to begin operations in 2027. The aim is to position Oman as a key supplier in the global Direct Reduction (DR) grade iron ore market.

Metso’s delivery for the grinding circuit consists of several Vertimill® VTM-4500 mills and ball mills with metallic mill liners and a total installed power of approximately 25 MW. For the beneficiation circuit, Metso will deliver five HRT High Rate Thickeners equipped with Reactorwell™ feed technology, and six Larox® FFP3512 filters for concentrate dewatering.

Additionally, Metso says it will deliver a large slurry pump package covering the whole process and including Metso MD series mill discharge pumps. A significant number of the products covered by the agreement are part of the Metso Plus offering.

Piia Karhu, President, Minerals at Metso, said: “This project marks Jinnan’s first venture in Oman, a country rich in a variety of mineral resources and with a strategic vision to develop its mining sector as part of its economic diversification efforts. As a leading supplier of process technology and services for minerals concentrator plants around the world, Metso is pleased to work as a strategic partner with Jinnan Iron & Steel Group in this greenfield project.”