In Oman, Mawarid is exploring for Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) copper-gold deposits in the volcanic sequence of the Semail Ophiolite. Mawarid holds Blocks 1 and 2 to the northwest of Sohar, and the Ghuzayn Block to the south-southeast of Sohar.

Following the exploration successes at Shinas and Hatta, Mawarid has focused on the identification of VMS deposits elsewhere in our exploration licenses. An intensive programme of airborne geophysics, ground geophysics, field mapping and drilling resulted in the discovery of three blind massive sulphide deposits at Mandoos, Safwa and Khaznah in 2009. VMS mineralisation at Mandoos and Safwa deposits occurs at shallow depths beneath shallow wadi gravels, and drilling programmes are currently underway at both deposits. The smaller massive sulphide mound at Khaznah will be drilled at a later stage to better define this resource. Drill testing of other geophysical targets on Mawarid licenses is continuing.

Mandoos
A cluster of three massive sulphide lenses occur beneath a gravel plain at Mandoos, 53 km NW of Sohar. The three lenses (Mandoos 1, Mandoos 2 and Mandoos 3) occur at a similar stratigraphic position and are thought to have formed during the same mineralising event. The Mandoos 1 lens is the largest in the cluster and forms an irregular sheet up to 90 m thick over an area of roughly 350 x 250 m. The uppermost part of the mineralisation occurs directly beneath wadi gravels and dips gently eastwards. The Mandoos 2 and 3 lenses are significantly smaller, but occur at shallow depths beneath cover.

Safwa
A relatively small, but high grade, massive sulphide lens occurs at shallow depths beneath terrace gravels at Safwa, 43 km WNW of Sohar. The sulphide mineralisation is approximately 100 x 125 m in size and up to 65 m thick, with significant gold grades in addition to copper. The lens appears to be partially fault-bounded and intruded by gabbro on its eastern margin.

Ghuzayn
Previous exploration in the Ghuzayn Block by JICA identified VMS mineralisation at Ghuzayn 1, 2 and 3 prospects. Infill drilling carried out by Mawarid at Ghuzayn 3 has confirmed and defined a large indicated resource at moderate depth. A feasibility study is underway, and the geology of this deposit is described more fully here