The NCSI is yet to issue figures for 2015.

Over the three years from 2012-2014 the total value of minerals produced in the sultanate showed a continued decline with corresponding figures being RO159.7mn RO146.6mn and RO142.2mn.

In 2014 Oman exported its entire production of 2300 tonnes of copper cathodes earning revenues of RO6.1mn. Also 165kg of gold and 3285kg of silver valued respectively at over RO2.5mn and RO732000 were sold by the Oman Mining Co in the same year the report said.

During the period production of marbles rose to 1.56mn tonnes valued at RO21.7mn as against 1.25mn tonnes worth RO18mn produced in 2013. The sultanate produced 8.72mn tonnes of limestone worth RO9.9mn in 2014 with corresponding figures for 2013 being 5.48mn tonnes valued at RO7.8mn.

As much as 3.38mn tonnes of gypsum worth RO5mn and 751200 tonne of chromite valued at RO22.8mn were also produced in 2014. Laterite production reached 753100 tonnes valued at RO2.2mn while quartz production touched 282900 tonnes worth RO1.1mn.

The sultanate produced 72100 tonnes of copper worth RO22.5mn and 37500 tonnes of manganese worth RO417800 while kaolin production exceeded 66600 tonnes valued at RO199800.

Other minerals produced in 2014 include 12900 tonnes of salt (RO451000) 305400 tonnes of mud (RO1.6mn) and 60200 tonnes of sand dune (RO150500).