Latest news with #gypsum
Forbes
2 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
Study Sheds Light On The Origins Of Giant Salt Formations
Outcrops with thick salt deposits in Sicily. While wandering along the cliffs of the Mediterranean Sea — particularly in southern Italy and Sicily — one might come across outcrops composed entirely of thick layers of salt and gypsum. Thanks to geophysical surveys and an extensive drilling campaign conducted during the Glomar Challenger expedition, we now know that these salt layers extend beneath the Mediterranean Sea and, in some regions, reach thicknesses of up to 2.5 kilometers. Such deposits can only form by evaporating large amounts of seawater. For almost 200 years scientists wondered how this was possible, and one unique salt lake — the Dead Sea in Israel — may provide an answer. 'These large deposits in the earth's crust can be many, many kilometers horizontally, and they can be more than a kilometer thick in the vertical direction,' says UC Santa Barbara mechanical engineering professor Eckart Meiburg, lead author of a new study. 'How were they generated? The Dead Sea is really the only place in the world where we can study the mechanism of these things today.' Salinity levels in the Dead Sea are famously so high that only few organisms can survive in its waters, giving it its name. Indeed, while there are other bodies of water in the world with high salinity levels, only in the Dead Sea they form massive salt deposits, which allows researchers to tackle the physical processes behind their evolution, and in particular, the spatial and temporal variations in their thickness. In their study, Meiburg and fellow author Nadav Lensky of the Geological Survey of Israel cover the fluid dynamics and associated sediment transport processes currently governing the Dead Sea. In 2019, the researchers observed a rather unique process occurring in the lake during the summer. While evaporation was increasing the salinity of the water on the surface, salts washed into the lake were nonetheless continuing to dissolve due to its warmer temperature. As the dense, salt-rich water sinks to the ground, it mixes with cooler water rising upwards. At the interface between the two layers, halite (common salt) crystals start to grow. The heavy crystals fall to the bottom, forming a sort of 'salt snow' covering the bottom of the Dead Sea basin. Detail of the outcrop showing single salt and gypsum crystals. In addition to other factors including internal currents and surface waves, this process is highly effective in creating salt deposits of various shapes and sizes, the authors conclude. In contrast to shallower hypersaline bodies in which precipitation and deposition occur during the dry season, in the Dead Sea salt formation occurs during the entire year. About 5.96 to 5.33 million years ago tectonic forces closed off the Strait of Gibraltar, reducing the inflow from the Atlantic into the Mediterranean basin and creating conditions similar to the Dead Sea basin — but on a vastly larger scale. 'The sea level dropped 3 to 5 kilometers (2-3 miles) due to evaporation, creating the same conditions currently found in the Dead Sea and leaving behind the thickest of this salt crust that can still be found buried below the deep sections of the Mediterranean,' Meiburg explains. 'But then a few million years later the Strait of Gibraltar opened up again, and so you had inflow coming in from the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean filled up again.' The full study, "Fluid Mechanics of the Dead Sea," was published in the journal Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics and can be found online here. Additional material and interviews provided by University of California - Santa Barbara.
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman's first mining economic cluster taking shape at Shaleem
MUSCAT: A significant initiative to commercialise the abundant industrial minerals found in Oman's Dhofar Governorate is advancing with the establishment of the Sultanate of Oman's first Integrated Mining Economic Cluster at the Wilayat of Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands on the southeast coast. The project is being spearheaded by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), which earlier this week floated a tender inviting qualified consultancy firms to bid for a contract covering the master planning, detailed design and supervision of Phase 1 of the cluster. Bids are due by July 9, 2025. The cluster forms part of the ambitious Shaleem Industrial Minerals Block development — an initiative backed by subsidiaries of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) in collaboration with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). Shaleem is home to one of the world's largest deposits of gypsum, a non-metallic mineral widely used in plaster, fertiliser and construction materials, as well as in a variety of chemical compounds. The area also hosts massive reserves of limestone, a key raw material for cement, steelmaking, paper production, water treatment and plastics. Equally promising is the vast reserve of dolomite, a highly versatile mineral with critical applications across multiple sectors. Industrially, dolomite serves as a flux in steelmaking, a refractory material and a source of magnesium oxide (MgO). It is also used in the glass and ceramics industries for its calcium and magnesium content. In the construction sector, crushed dolomite is used as aggregate in concrete and road base, while dolomite marble is prized as decorative stone. Agriculturally, it functions as a soil conditioner and fertiliser component, supplying essential nutrients to crops. Environmentally, it is used in water treatment and flue gas desulfurisation, while in animal feed and pharmaceuticals, it serves as a magnesium supplement. These wide-ranging applications underscore dolomite's importance in supporting industrial development, environmental protection and food security. Geological studies by state-owned Minerals Development Oman (MDO) estimate the site contains approximately 960 million tonnes of gypsum (with 97 per cent purity), 1.9 billion tonnes of limestone (99.5 per cent purity) and around 1.3 billion tonnes of dolomite, with a magnesium oxide (MgO) content exceeding 19 per cent. Given these promising estimates, the cluster aims not only to attract investments in downstream value-added industries but also to leverage Shaleem's strategic location on the Arabian Sea to drive large-scale exports of processed mineral products. Integrated economic clusters like the one envisioned at Shaleem are expected to add new momentum to Oman's industrialisation and manufacturing goals. According to the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, 'Integrated economic clusters represent a strategic approach adopted globally to accelerate growth and diversify economies. These clusters comprise interconnected industries and sectors within a specific geographic area, sharing value chains, services and products. They provide a structured framework that optimises resource allocation, fostering collaboration and competitiveness among various entities.' At least four such Integrated Economic Clusters are planned for implementation at key locations across Oman, aimed at harnessing synergies linked to their advantageous geographical position, local natural resources, proximity to overseas export markets; and access to transport and logistics infrastructure. These new hubs are proposed in Najd (Dhofar Governorate), Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, Al Duqm and Suhar, each focused on their respective value propositions around agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and aluminium processing.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Pieces of the past unearthed in Paris, Ont.
A major infrastructure project in Paris, Ont. is unearthing pieces of the past. CTV's Karis Mapp take a look. A major infrastructure project in Paris, Ont. has uncovered something more than aging sewer lines. Brant County is in the midst of what they call 'The Downtown Dig.' The work includes underground construction and sidewalk rejuvenation, but when crews dug down into the downtown core, they found something unexpected. Parts of an old archway emerged from the ground. Ongoing work The Downtown Dig Paris, Ont. A construction crew works in downtown Paris, Ont. as part of the Downtown Dig in this undated image. (Facebook: The Downtown Dig) 'The archway we see right now was actually a reconstruction of the tailrace archway [from] around in the 1890s,' Steven Pinkett, with Paris Archives Team, explained. Researchers already knew about the presence of a millrace, a channel that carries swift currents of water to power a mill wheel. Tailraces are another part of the system that carries water away from a water wheel after the power has been generated. 'The millrace was ahead of it and was probably constructed about 1822,' Pinkett said. 'The mill itself was the power for the gypsum plant – the first gypsum plant.' William Holme opened that gypsum mine in the 1800s. According to a document by the County of Brant Heritage Driving Tour, the town was named Paris because of the large gypsum deposits that were mined to make the building material called Plaster of Paris. Tailrace reconstruction Paris circa 1890s An image of reconstruction of the tailrace in Paris, Ont. circa 1890s. (Courtesy: Paris Museum and Historical Society) Once the arch was uncovered, photos made their way to social media. 'We had an idea it was there, but to actually see it uncovered and see the interest that's been shown has been really good,' said Adam Crozier, director of corporate strategy for the County of Brant. 'One of the encouraging things about a construction project like this is, 'What is the heritage? What's buried under the road?'' For some residents, the dig has been a point of fascination. 'Tuesday, I came downtown and I noticed an archway that had been unearthed on the site and I thought, 'Well, what is that?'' Paris resident Ginny Moore told CTV News. Ongoing work The Downtown Dig Paris, Ont. A construction crew works in downtown Paris, Ont. as part of the Downtown Dig in this undated image. (Facebook: The Downtown Dig) Now Moore has her own piece of Paris history – a brick from the archway. 'I'll probably put it in my garden somewhere,' she said smiling. 'It's a deep piece of history and I'm just happy to have a piece of it.'
Times of Oman
27-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
National company established to regulate, market mineral exports
Muscat: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has issued a decision to establish a national company in the Sultanate of Oman, named the "Oman Minerals Trading Company," to regulate the marketing and export of minerals and enhance in-country value (ICV) from natural resources. This move is part of a comprehensive reform path to restructure mineral management and achieve integration between economic utilisation, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. The decision also regulates the export of gypsum and chrome ores, prioritising domestic market needs before considering export operations. Additionally, exported chrome ore must have a minimum concentration of 36%, while processed chrome may be exported at all concentrations subject to ministry approval. The decision aims to tighten oversight of marketing operations, strengthen Oman's negotiating position in global markets, and enhance transparency in pricing Omani ores. This move responds to structural challenges in the mineral market, including the proliferation of intermediaries and the lack of specialised marketing mechanisms, which have led to declining prices despite rising production volumes. Currently, there are 15 active gypsum mining licenses, with production reaching approximately 14 million tonnes in 2024, while 29 chrome mining licenses produced around 300,000 tonnes during the same period. These figures reflect the abundance of mineral resources and the need for a unified institutional framework to ensure optimal utilisation and marketing that maximises national returns. The 'Oman Minerals Trading Company'—a subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman (MDO)—will centrally manage exports, standardise contracts and specifications, and negotiate with international buyers under professional standards to raise average export prices and increase national revenues. The new regulatory framework is expected to reduce price manipulation, improve logistics and export efficiency, enhance market transparency, and enable better government oversight of revenues. It will also boost local processing and employment opportunities, support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in supply chains, and foster a business environment based on efficiency and integration. This step aligns with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals' efforts to enhance ICV by requiring companies to adopt clear plans for increasing local content, localizing supply chains, and supporting downstream industries that add value to raw minerals before export. It falls under the "Majd" initiative launched by the ministry to consolidate and evaluate ICV efforts in the energy and minerals sector. The ministry has granted a one-year transitional period for companies to conclude existing contracts and adapt to the new marketing mechanism. It also plans to organise awareness and training sessions for stakeholders while developing specialised cadres to manage sales and negotiations under the new framework. Dr. Salah bin Hafeedh Al Dhahab, Director General of Investments at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, stated that this decision marks a pivotal milestone in developing Oman's mineral sector, reflecting the ministry's commitment to optimising national resource management through export chain restructuring and the establishment of a dedicated national trading company. He added that the decision addresses past market challenges, including lack of coordination, multiple intermediaries, and price fluctuations, which weakened the competitiveness of Omani products in some markets despite high production volumes and ore quality. The company will consolidate quantities, standardise specifications, and negotiate professionally with global markets, enhancing the marketing value of Omani products and delivering higher returns for both the government and investors. Prioritising domestic market access to ores before export is a strategic step to support downstream industries and stabilise industrial supply chains within Oman. He noted that this decision is part of the institutional transformation led by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals since merging the energy and mining sectors. The ministry has developed policies, improved investment frameworks, and implemented unified governance systems, supported by national geological databases, ICV plans, and streamlined investor licensing in a transparent regulatory environment—all aligned with 'Oman Vision 2040' goals to build a diversified, knowledge-driven economy based on optimal natural resource utilisation. He expressed confidence that this regulation will foster a more reliable investment environment, support national enterprises, unlock viable industrial and commercial partnerships, enhance employment, and uphold occupational health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards—positioning the mining sector as a vital contributor to the national economy. Eng. Matar bin Salim Al Badi, CEO of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), stated that this mandate represents a strategic step to enhance supply chain efficiency, unify marketing efforts, and ensure price transparency and fairness—aligning with Oman's aspirations to maximize economic returns from its natural resources. He explained that the company is developing an integrated system covering registration procedures, purchase contracts, globally benchmarked pricing mechanisms, and logistics services to ensure supply reliability and shipping flexibility. Prioritising domestic market access and ensuring private sector readiness for the new model are key focuses. He added that the company will launch a supplier and buyer registration programme starting in Q3 of 2025, ahead of the system's official activation in May 2026. He emphasised early engagement with market stakeholders and invited producers, investors, and trade partners to explore collaboration opportunities under the new framework—whether in exports or industrial partnerships for local processing and promising investment prospects. He affirmed that this approach represents a qualitative leap toward enabling Oman to maximise the mining sector's potential and strengthen its competitive position in global markets.
CNN
23-05-2025
- Science
- CNN
CNN10: The big stories of Friday 5/23, explained in 10 minutes
Today on CNN 10, we take you to the largest gypsum dune field in the world and find out what makes the geological feature so unique. We'll also learn what type of humanitarian aid has been allowed into war-torn Gaza this week, before getting an update on the fight to protect the manatee's food source in a Florida lagoon. And we'll find out how one teen is going to great heights to raise awareness for pediatric cancer research. All this and more on today's CNN 10!
