Duqm, Port town in central-eastern Oman, has good resource of High-Quality Limestone >98% CaCo3 which can be micronized and marketed as Ground calcium carbonate (“GCC”). GCC is produced by mechanical grinding and classification of naturally occurring high purity calcite ores containing calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as major component. The principal function of ground Calcium Carbonate is as a source of calcium and a filler in the paper, plastics, paint, rubber, caulks, and sealants industries. The physical & chemical property requirement vary with each application but in general 95% plus CaCO3 and less than 1% silica is desired. In terms of product, the ground calcium carbonate segment accounts ~70% of the global calcium carbonate market.

A case study of setting up 200tpd Ground calcium carbonate production unit and 74tpd coating line in the SEZD zone evaluated by Tanka Engineers on behalf of Duqm Quarries has provided positive results supporting the business case. This study was supported with budgetary proposals from Alpine Hosakawa, Germany and Netzsch Ecutec, Spain, the market leaders in offering GCC Grinding and classification systems all over the world. Oman Presently has 2 reputed producers of Calcium Carbonate – Rima Carbonate Industries and Northern Minerals. Around 30% of product is catered to local markets and remaining are exported.