National Mining Company LLC (NMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of MB Holding Company, is engaged in exploration and development of copper and gold deposits in Oman. Established in 1995, NMC is the first and major private sector mining company in the Sultanate of Oman.

In 2000, the company was granted a license by the government of the Sultanate of Oman for exploration of Block-1 in the highly prospective Sohar region in Northern Oman. After several years of extensive exploration work, NMC discovered commercial reserves and in 2003 completed a detailed feasibility study through external consultants that reaffirmed geological resources and the commercial viability of the project. Commercial production is expected to start in second half of 2005.

The project will have a capacity to process one million tons of ore per annum and will produce approximately 20,000 tons of copper with annual revenue of US$30 million. NMC has barely scratched the prospective area and it will undertake further detailed exploration of Block 1 as well as other Blocks so as to increase its copper reserves and to warrant a longer project life. The project also has strategic importance to Oman in terms of developing mining industry in Oman and will benefit local subcontractors and provide employment to Omani citizens in the vicinity of the project.

For more information, visit www.natmin.com