Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has signed a strategic agreement with India-based Dev Salt to establish the Naqa Salt Project in Mahout, Al Wusta Governorate—set to become the region’s largest industrial salt production facility.
The agreement was formalized by Eng. Mattar bin Salim Al Badi, CEO of MDO, and Hirendrasinh Jhala, Chairman of Dev Global, in the presence of H.E. Ibtisam Ahmed Said Al Farooji, Undersecretary for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.
Located within MDO’s 51,000-hectare concession along the Arabian Sea, the project will utilize solar-powered evaporation technology to produce high-purity, bromine-rich industrial salt. Its strategic proximity to Duqm Port is expected to significantly enhance export access to international markets that depend on bromine, caustic soda, and soda ash.
H.E. Ibtisam commented:
“We are pleased to support this partnership, which serves as a model for effective public-private collaboration. The Naqa Salt Project aligns with our goals for economic diversification, clean-energy-driven investment, and empowering SMEs within the national value chain.”
According to Eng. Al Badi, the RO 13.4 million (approx. USD 33 million) project aims to produce 2 million tonnes of industrial salt annually from evaporation ponds spanning 109 square kilometres. The salt will reach up to 99% purity and will serve industries such as chemicals, oil and gas, logistics, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Primary export markets include India and other Asian countries, along with Africa and Europe.
Jhala added:
“With Dev Salt’s proven track record in large-scale projects, we are confident in meeting global demand while contributing to supply chain resilience in the industrial salt sector.”
With global industrial salt demand projected to surpass 372 million tonnes by 2027, the Naqa Salt Project is not only set to strengthen Oman’s export capabilities but also support environmental sustainability. The expansive evaporation ponds are expected to enhance biodiversity and may pave the way for eco-tourism development in the area.
An industrial salt production facility like the Naqa Salt Project in Mahout—which relies on solar evaporation and targets high-purity, bromine-rich industrial salt—requires a range of valves actuators, and pumps designed to handle corrosive brines, high salinity, and harsh environmental conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the types typically involved:
1. Valves Used in Industrial Salt Production
A. Butterfly Valves
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Application: Brine transport lines, isolation, and flow regulation in large-diameter pipelines.
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Material: High-performance thermoplastics (e.g. PVDF), duplex stainless steel, or rubber-lined bodies to withstand corrosion.
B. Ball Valves
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Application: On/off control for saltwater lines, crystallizer outputs, and drain systems.
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Special Features: Full-bore designs for easy flushing, corrosion-resistant coatings or PTFE seats.
C. Gate Valves / Knife Gate Valves
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Application: Slurry and brine transfer systems, sediment-rich flow areas.
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Features: Designed for slurry handling; stainless steel or FRP-coated bodies.
D. Diaphragm Valves
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Application: Chemical dosing (e.g. anti-scaling agents), brine flow control.
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Benefit: Excellent resistance to aggressive fluids and easy maintenance.
E. Check Valves
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Application: Preventing backflow in brine and product lines.
⚙️ 2. Actuators
A. Electric Actuators
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Application: Remote valve control in solar evaporation fields, process automation.
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Features: Weatherproof or explosion-proof enclosures; integration with SCADA/PLC systems.
B. Pneumatic Actuators
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Application: Fast cycling valves in crystallization and packaging systems.
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Preferred for: Simpler, low-maintenance environments with available compressed air.
C. Hydraulic Actuators
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Less common but may be used in high-torque, heavy-duty isolation applications.
Smart Actuators & Positioners
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Offer real-time diagnostics, position feedback, and are crucial for integration into digital control systems and predictive maintenance strategies.
💧 3. Pumps
A. Centrifugal Pumps
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Use: Main brine circulation and transfer.
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Material: FRP, HDPE-lined, or titanium/stainless steel to resist saltwater corrosion.
B. Vertical Turbine Pumps
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Use: Drawing seawater or brine from evaporation ponds.
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Benefit: Suitable for deep installations with high flow rates.
C. Peristaltic or Diaphragm Pumps
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Use: Chemical dosing (anti-scaling, flocculants).
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Advantage: Precision flow control and corrosion resistance.
D. Positive Displacement Pumps
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Use: High-viscosity slurry or concentrated brine transfer in later stages.
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Examples: Screw pumps, progressive cavity pumps.
🛡️ Material Selection Is Critical
Due to high salinity and potential bromine exposure, components must be made of:
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Duplex stainless steel
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PVC, CPVC, or PVDF
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Hastelloy or Titanium (for specialty systems)
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Glass-reinforced plastics (GRP/FRP)