The Sultanate of Oman is in the midst of a mining renaissance. In early 2025, Minerals Development Oman (MDO) shipped the first export of copper concentrates from the Lasail Mine in over 30 years, officially restarting copper mining after nearly three decades. Following this milestone, the Al Baydha Mine is scheduled to begin operations in 2026, with the two mines targeting a combined annual output of approximately 800,000 tonnes of copper ore.
This mining revival is a key pillar of Oman's "Vision 2040" economic diversification strategy. The Lasail Mine is located in the Sohar region of northern Oman, an area with relatively developed infrastructure. However, the expansion and new construction still face a critical challenge: existing worker accommodation facilities cannot meet the demand of the growing workforce.
An international mining contractor operating in the Sohar region contacted 9States to deliver a standardized 400-bed worker camp for its expanding copper mining operation.
| Camp Capacity | 400 persons (expandable to 500) |
| Total Area | Approximately 5,500 m² |
| Construction Timeline | 4 months |
| Climate Conditions | Tropical desert — summer max 50°C, winter min 12°C, annual rainfall less than 100 mm, frequent sandstorms |
| Facilities Required | Dormitories (3-4 person with private bathroom), mess hall (150 seats), prayer room, medical clinic, offices, laundry, recreation room |
| Logistics | Sohar Port approximately 30 km from the mine site |
Using traditional brick-and-mortar construction presented several serious obstacles:
9States delivered a 400-bed flat-pack modular camp solution, specifically customized for Oman's tropical desert climate and rapid deployment requirements.
The camp is divided into three functional zones: Accommodation Zone — 110 modular dormitories (3-4 persons each) with private bathrooms and split-type air conditioning; Public Services Zone — a 150-seat mess hall, prayer room, medical clinic, laundry, and recreation room; Administration Zone — 10 offices and 2 meeting rooms. All buildings are connected by covered walkways for convenient movement while reducing air conditioning energy loss.
Each module is factory-produced in 9States' Shanghai plant in flat-pack form, folding to approximately 30 cm thick panels that fit into standard 40-foot shipping containers. The journey: Shanghai port → Malacca Strait → Indian Ocean → Sohar Port — approximately 6,500 km, transit time about 13-15 days. Compared to traditional routes to Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia, Sohar Port is only 30 km from the mine site, dramatically reducing inland transportation costs.
After customs clearance, containers are trucked directly to the mine site. Cargo is dispatched in batches of 6-8 containers per week, synchronized with on-site foundation work. On arrival, a 4-person team can assemble each flat-pack module in approximately 30 minutes using only hand tools — no welding or heavy lifting equipment required.
| Total Beds | 400 (expandable to 500) |
| Dormitory Units | 110 (3-4 person with private bathroom and AC) |
| Mess Hall | 150 seats with dedicated kitchen and cold storage |
| Prayer Room | 1 (gender-separated) |
| Medical Clinic | 1 (with isolation room) |
| Office Modules | 10 offices + 2 meeting rooms |
| Recreation | TV room, table tennis, outdoor rest area |
| Total Area | ~5,500 m² |
| Total Modules | 160 (flat-pack type) |
| Design Life | 15 years (desert environment) |
| On-site Installation | ~5 weeks (12 workers + 2 supervisors) |
"9States' flat-pack camp solution allowed us to provide comfortable accommodation for our workers in record time. Even in extreme heat of 50°C, the dormitories maintained a comfortable indoor temperature. The modular design lets us flexibly expand according to project progress — this was the key reason we chose 9States." — Site Project Manager
For more information about mining camp solutions in the Middle East, visit 9States at 9prefabhouse.com.
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