The United Arab Emirates is driving an economic diversification strategy, with mining emerging as a key pillar to reduce dependence on oil and gas. The UAE mining and minerals market was valued at approximately USD 10.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 14.4 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of roughly 4.2%. While the UAE has invested heavily in overseas mining ventures, it is also turning its attention closer to home — the Hajar Mountains region spanning Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, which holds deposits of copper, gold, chromium, and magnesium.
Fujairah, located on the UAE's east coast along the Gulf of Oman, boasts its own deepwater port — the only UAE port that does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz for access. Metal exploration and development in this region is accelerating, with multiple copper-gold projects advancing through feasibility studies and into exploration phases. As these projects transition from exploration to extraction, the need for on-site worker accommodation has grown rapidly. The mining sites are scattered through the rugged Hajar Mountains, far from urban infrastructure, making daily commuting impractical.
A mining company operating copper-gold exploration and extraction operations in Fujairah contacted 9States to build a standardized 350-bed worker camp to support its exploration and early-stage mining operations.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Camp capacity | 350 persons (expandable to 450) |
| Total footprint | Approx. 4,500 m² |
| Construction period | 3 months |
| Climate conditions | Tropical desert — Summer avg. 33–38°C, extremes above 45°C; winter avg. 25°C, nighttime low 18°C; annual rainfall ~100mm; frequent dust storms; high humidity near coast |
| Facilities | Dormitories (4 pax/room, private bathroom), 150-seat canteen, offices, clinic, laundry, prayer room, recreation area |
| Logistics | 50–80 km by road from Fujairah Port; ~150 km from Jebel Ali Port, Dubai |
Building with conventional methods in the Hajar Mountains posed serious difficulties: rugged terrain made site preparation and foundation work extremely challenging; extreme summer heat drastically reduced outdoor concrete work windows and worker efficiency; local building materials were expensive and mostly imported; and completing construction within a 3-month timeline was nearly impossible with traditional methods.
9States delivered a 350-bed flat-pack modular camp solution tailored to the UAE's desert climate and mountainous terrain.
The camp is divided into three functional zones: a residential area with 88 modular dormitories (4 persons per room, each with private bathroom and split air conditioning); a service zone including a 150-seat canteen, clinic, laundry, and prayer room; and an administrative zone with 8 offices and 1 meeting room. Buildings follow a stepped layout along the slope to minimize earthwork while creating natural ventilation corridors between structures.
Modules were manufactured in 9States' Shanghai factory in flat-pack form — each unit folds into a flat panel approximately 30cm thick, fitting inside a standard 40-foot container. The shipment traveled from Shanghai via the South China Sea and Malacca Strait to Fujairah Port, a voyage of ~7,000 km taking 14–16 days.
Upon arrival, modules were trucked 50–80 km to the Hajar Mountains mining site. The last 8 km of mountain road required smaller flatbed trucks, with cranes unloading containers at the site entrance for on-site assembly. Each flat-pack module takes a 4-person team approximately 30 minutes to assemble using only hand tools — no heavy machinery needed.
| Item | Specification |
| Total beds | 350 (expandable to 450) |
| Dormitory units | 88 rooms (4 pax/room, private bathroom + AC) |
| Canteen | 150 seats with kitchen and cold storage |
| Clinic | 1 unit |
| Office modules | 8 offices + 1 meeting room |
| Prayer room | 1 unit |
| Recreation | TV room, outdoor seating area |
| Total footprint | ~4,500 m² |
| Total modules | ~120 units (flat-pack type) |
| Design life | 15 years (tropical desert environment) |
| On-site installation | ~5 weeks (12 workers + 2 supervisors) |
"Building a worker camp in the Hajar Mountains was tougher than we expected — rough terrain, extreme heat, and a tight deadline. 9States' flat-pack solution arrived at Fujairah Port in under three weeks from Shanghai, and trucks delivered everything straight to the site entrance for assembly. What impressed us most was the insulation and air conditioning — even on 45°C days, workers come back to a comfortable room. The dust-sealing design also cut cleaning time significantly." — Site Project Manager
9States has built extensive experience in desert climate adaptation and rapid deployment for the Middle East. Our flat-pack modular series offers:
For more information on mining camp solutions in the Middle East, visit 9States at 9prefabhouse.com.
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