SOHAR Port and Freezone has broken ground on a $50 million zinc recycling and processing industrial park being developed by Oman Zinc (FZC), marking a new investment aimed at strengthening Oman’s industrial diversification and metals sector.
The project, located on a 100,000-square-meter site within SOHAR Freezone, will establish an integrated facility for zinc-bearing materials and zinc residue recycling, refining, SHG zinc ingot production, zinc oxide manufacturing and exports. The groundbreaking ceremony was held under the patronage of Sheikh Saif Khaled Al Risi, Member of the Shura Council.
Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce 100,000 tons of refined zinc ingots and 50,000 tons of zinc oxide annually for customers across the GCC, India, Pakistan and other international markets.
The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will focus on processing zinc-bearing materials and zinc residues, alongside pilot-scale SHG zinc ingot production. The second phase will add a full-scale SHG zinc ingot refinery and zinc oxide production plant, expanding operations into higher-value manufacturing.
The facility will supply zinc products to industries including galvanizing, alloy manufacturing, batteries and specialty chemicals, while supporting SOHAR’s metals cluster and attracting further downstream industrial investment.
The project will also promote circular industrial practices by recovering zinc-bearing residues and converting them into commercially usable products, improving resource efficiency and creating additional value from industrial by-products.
Raid Al Rubaiey CEO – SOHAR Freezone , Deputy CEO – SOHAR Port
“This project represents another important step in strengthening SOHAR’s integrated metals ecosystem through advanced manufacturing, downstream value creation, and greater resource efficiency. 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.”
Lin Feng, Chairman of Oman Zinc Group, said that, “Breaking ground on Oman Zinc facility marks a significant milestone in Oman Zinc Group’s international growth and our long-term commitment to the Sultanate of Oman. 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.”
