Blog Archives

Shabib Al Hattali is the Plant General Manager at Mawarid Mining, where he leads and manages the end-to-end operations of the Lasail Concentrator. Shabib has over 17 years of experience in processing plant asset management.

Shabib has an extensive experience in operation and maintenances, with demonstrated success in managing plant KPIs, budgets, and operational safety. Shabib has a degree in chemistry from Sultan Qaboos University and Master’s degree in process safety from Shefield University, UK. He has attended several leadership programs like IMD, CMI and FranklinCovey.

Khalid Al Busafi holds a Master’s degree from the University of Bradford and brings a wealth of international experience, having worked in the Netherlands, UK, and Turkey. He joined Mawarid Group in 2024 as CHRO, bringing over 8 years of experience within the MB Group. Khalid has excelled in various areas of HR and is dedicated to driving excellence in resourcing and elevating HR best practices. His leadership focuses on optimizing talent acquisition and implementing cutting-edge HR strategies to support the growth and success of Mawarid Group.

Dr. Mohammed holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Elbert Fields University, USA, an MBA from Nottingham University, UK, and a BSc in Economics & Admin from New England University College of New Hampshire – USA & The UK. With over 30 years of experience, he has worked as a Director in various departments at the Ministry of National Economy, including Economic Relations and Research, and served as Director General of Economic Relations from 2007-2010. Mohammed’s career began at Barclays Bank in the UK and spans roles in taxation, economic research, and international economic organizations. He also served as an Advisor to the Ministry of National Economy in 2010. With multiple diplomas and certifications, his expertise covers financial analysis, international trade, and macroeconomic management. JMC for Block 5 from 1993 till 2011, alternative PDO tender board member 1992-1995, GM Gulf Mining Materials LLC 2012 till 2014, then Group CEO till 2017, and then Vice Chairman till August 2020. Later, joined Mawarid Mining from February 2023 to date.

Kumar Rakesh is a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) and a qualified Chartered Accountant. He has more than two decades of experience in Oman, GCC, and internationally in the fields of operational finance, cross border acquisitions, fund raising, and financial reporting with specialisation in oil & gas industry. In addition to his role as Mawarid CFO, Kumar is also CFO of MB Petroleum Services LLC (a Multinational Oil field services Company) and has previously worked with EY, one of the big4 multinational accounting and advisory firms.

Dr. Kylie Prendergast is an experienced geologist and technical leader with over 25 years’ experience within the international mining and resource sector.  She has worked across a range of different operating jurisdictions, including significant in-country assignments and expatriate roles.  This has included substantial business development, project technical and economic evaluation, and commercial management, including direct interaction with a range of stakeholders in global resource capital markets.

Haitham has over 20 years of extensive experience in the Mining and Oil & Gas industry, having held various professional roles that highlight his expertise in mining investment, greenfield development, and management with a key focus on corporate affairs and capabilities enhancement, supply and value chain optimization, productivity improvement, cost efficiency while also upholding the highest Health, Safety, and Environmental standards. He is a valuable asset in advancing business goals. He holds a degree in Production and Industrial Management from Cairo University and an MBA from the University of Bedfordshire, UK.

Chris has worked in various roles in the mining industry for over three decades; these have included both management and operational duties ranging from day-to-day operations to specialized project work. Over Chris’s career, he has worked on mining projects in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East in both the terrestrial and marine environments. Having studied Commerce at the University of South Africa, Chris has been actively involved in the raising of debt (project, mezzanine, and term loans), equity finance, offtake arrangements, restructures, and merger and acquisition activities including the listing of various mining companies on international stock exchanges. Chris’s years of experience have enhanced his understanding of the various aspects of the open-cut and underground mining processes, be it exploration, geology, sustainable mining practices, development, environment, HSE, and project financial parameters.  

Tariq Al Barwani is the Managing Director of Mohammed Al Barwani Petroleum Services (MBPS),  Mawarid Mining, United Engineering Services (UES), and Al Sharqiya Aviation (ASA). Moreover, he is a Director of MB LLC. Tariq holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the Imperial College in London and a Masters of Business Administration specializing in Strategy and Leadership from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Tariq is also a Director of several subsidiary companies within the MB Group, which has wide ranging interests in oilfield services, exploration of oil, gas, minerals, investment & financial services.

Usama Al Barwani is the Vice Chairperson for MB LLC and Managing Director of Petrogas Exploration and Production, the upstream oil and gas exploration and production arm of MB LLC. He oversees the long-term strategic plan for Petrogas internationally and directs the company’s vision. On a Group level, Usama oversees the integration and cooperation among Group companies and the development of shared direction, especially in terms of sustainability and culture.

Usama Al Barwani is also on the board of Oceanco Yachts in Holland and Turquoise yachts in Turkey. Additionally, he is a member of the board of Arcapita Bank, a Bahrain-based Islamic Merchant Bank and Private Equity company, as well as Watania Takaful, a Dubai-listed Takaful Insurance company. Previously, he was a board member of Toronto Stock Exchange listed Nautilus Minerals Inc and was the Chairman of Oman based Ubar Hotels and Resorts.

Usama received a BSc in Petroleum Engineering from Tulsa University and an MSc in Energy, Trade and Finance from City University’s Cass Business School in London.

Dr. Mohammed Al Barwani is the founder and Chairman of MB Group of companies. He has been serving as the honorary consul of Monaco for Oman since 2021. Additionally, he is a non-executive Director of several publicly traded and joint-stock companies, such as Al Madina Insurance Co. SAOG (Oman), and Watania Insurance Company (Abu Dhabi). He was formerly non-executive Chairman of Oman Air SAOC, the Omani national airline, board member of the National Bank of Oman, Shell Oman Marketing Company, Taageer Leasing Company (Oman), Nautilus Minerals Inc (Toronto Stock Exchange), and UCL Resources Pty Limited (Australian Stock Exchange). He was also the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Oman from April 2006 to November 2018.

Dr. Al Barwani has received the Royal Order of Commendation- Second Class from His Majesty the Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq for his effective societal contributions. He was felicitated with a Lifetime Achievement award by the Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal magazine (2008) and selected by Ernst & Young as a Global Entrepreneur to represent Oman in 2012. He was conferred “COMMANDEUR” IN DE ORDE VAN ORANGE-NASSAU by Her Majesty the Queen of The Netherlands in January 2012. Additionally, Dr. Al Barwani was awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in March 2014.

Dr. Al Barwani has a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Miami University, USA & was awarded a Master’s degree and Honorary PhD in Petroleum Engineering from Herriot-Watt University, UK.