Geological Resources of Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

Systematic mineral exploration in the country started in the 1970’s leading to the discovery of
many metallic mineral deposits (example, gold and tantalum) and industrial raw materials for
manufacturing of cement, ceramics, glass, fertilizer, etc. Exploration for fuel (natural gas and oil)
and energy (coal and geothermal energy) occurrences has been conducted back in the late 1940s
and are still under investigation. Little is known to date about the occurrences of gem minerals,
but prospecting is underway by the private sector.

Systematic exploration and mining development so far undertaken in the country indicate the
low-grade volcano-sedimentary assemblages as the main host rocks for precious, base, rare and
ferrous and ferroalloy metals. The distribution of industrial minerals and rocks is mainly related
to Precambrian metamorphic rocks, Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, and Cenozoic
volcanic and sedimentary rocks.

Currently, mining companies are engaged in the exploration for further gold and base metal
occurrences in different regions of the country. There are also several local and foreign private
companies mining marble, granite, amphibolite, opal and limestone in various parts of the
country. Efforts are also being made to develop the geothermal and gas energy resources.

GEOLOGY

The Geology of Ethiopia can be grouped into three major stratigraphic units, namely: the
Precambrian basement rocks, Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and Cenozoic
volcanic and sedimentary rocks, and Tertiary/Quaternary volcanics and sediments.

The Precambrian basement rocks are poly-deformed and metamorphosed high grade gneisses
and schists associated with low-grade meta-volcano-sedimentary rocks. They are mainly exposed
in the northern, western and southern parts of the country.

Late Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks are widely distributed in the northern, central,
eastern and southeastern parts of the country. The sedimentary rocks are unconformly overlying
the basement rocks and mainly composed of sandstone and limestone and are exposed mainly in
the Ogaden, Abay and Mekele Basins. Phanerozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks cover much
of the country’s central highlands, rift valley and eastern lowlands.

The Tertiary to Quaternary volcanics is associated with the evolution of the East African Rift
System. The main rock types are basalts, trachyte and associated dyke swarms, andesites,
rhyolites, ignimbrites and pumiceous ash.

Tertiary sedimentary rocks are known in the Ogaden, in the Danakil Depression, and in the lower
Omo River Valley. These rocks consist of sandstone, limestone, conglomerate, mudstone and
shale. Rich deposits of potash, manganese, rock salt and other types of evaporites are abundant in
the Tertiary/Quaternary sediments. Quaternary sediments occur throughout the country and were
formed as Lacustrine as well as marine formations. They comprise limestones, clay, siltstone,
sand, volcanoclastic, and others.

1. Precambrian rocks and related intrusions

These rocks are found in four major regions of Ethiopia: west and south-western; north; south;
and Eastern regions of the country.
The Precambrian metamorphic rocks comprise litho-tectonic low-grade volcano-sedimentary
assemblages (of mica, feldsphatic, amphibolites, chlorite, etc) with associated mafic to felsic
intrusives (such as granites, granodiorite, diorites, basic dykes, gabbro and the like) and high-
grade orthogneisses and paragneisses assemblages. These crystalline basement rocks have
undergone poly-phase deformations and metamorphism (amphibolites to granulite
metamorphism).
Thick successions of the low-grade metavolcanosedimentary assemblages including the island
arc and dismembered ophiolites assemblages are commonly termed as Upper complex of the
Precambrian basement.
Linear belts of mafic and ultramafic rocks are commonly confined to major shear zones often
marking the contact between the two assemblages.
Gneissic terrains (Lower Complex) are generally considered to be older than the volcano
sedimentary assemblages. The Precambrian rocks of Ethiopia lie at the unique position of the
northern part of the Mozambique belt and southern tip of the Arebo-nubian shield.
 2. Paleozoic- Mesozoic sediments
Paleozoic is poorly represented with the exception of well-documented permo-Triassic Karoo
sedimentary rocks at the base of Ogaden basin and the presumed Ordovician glacial deposits in
northern Ethiopia.
Thick Mesozoic sedimentary sequence is extensively exposed in eastern part of the country
extending as far as central and northern Ethiopia beneath the tertiary volcanic and overlain un-
conformably on the basement rocks. Two major transgression-regression cycles took place
during the Mesozoic era.
The sedimentary sequence represents the Jurassic transgression of the Indian Ocean from the east
(in the Ogaden) towards north and west and then subsequent regression to the sea.
The Mesozoic rocks composed of the major stratigraphic sediments of Triassic sandstone (Lower
or Adigrat sandstone), Jurassic Limestone of Antallo group and the Cretaceous (upper) sandstone
with intercalations of mudstone and marl.
3. Cenozoic volcanic and sediments
The Tertiary to Quaternary geology of Ethiopia is related to the evolution of the East African
rifting. Highland Ethiopia is underlain by Tertiary volcanics, mainly basalts. Tertiary as well as
Quaternary volcanics and sediments characterize the rift valley. Tertiary sediments are known in
the Ogaden, Danakil Depression and in the lower Omo River Valley.
Quaternary sediments occur throughout the country. As a result of epirogenic uplifting of the
Afro Arabian (East Africa) basement (and their transgressive sediments) due to mantle plume,
enormous quantities of basaltic magma (late Mesozoic) generated in the lithosphere, came
through crustal fissure and brought formations of continental flood basalt province, known as
Trap series of Ethiopia.
The flood basalt volcanism culminated by the formation of alkaline basaltic shield volcanoes
some of which rise above 4,000m above sea level on both the western and south-eastern plateaus
of Ethiopia.
MINERAL RESOURCES

Metallic Minerals

Exploration and mining development activities so far undertaken in the country show the low-
grade volcano-sedimentary assemblages as the main host rock for precious, base, rare and
ferrous and ferroalloy metals. Three low-grade volcano-sedimentary domains and the associated
intrusives of the Arabian Nubian shield occur in southern, western and northern Ethiopia.

a) Southern domain (Adola and Kenticha belts): This domain consists of the primary gold of
Lege Dembi, Sakaro, Wollena, Kumuda, Megado-Serdo, Dawa-Digati, Moyale and Ababa
River; the columbo-tantalite of Kenticha and Meleka and the Adola Nickel deposit.

b) Western domain (Dul-Nazila, Menghi-Gizen, Fakusho-Oda and Akobo-Yubdo-Baruda belts):

These belts host the primary gold of Dul, Oda-Godere, Chamo (Akobo), Baruda, Bekoji-Motish
and Kilaj; Yubdo Platinum; base metals of Azali-Akendeyu, Abetselo and Kata; Fakusho
molybdenite; and the iron deposits of Bikilal, Chago, Gordana and Koree.

c) Northern domain (Tigray Greenstone Region and Ethiopian Rift Zone (Danakil Depression):
Mafic ultramafic belts comprise the primary gold occurrences of Terakemti, Adi Zeresenay,
Zager and Niraque, as well as the base metals of Tsehafi Emba.

Besides these known deposits and occurrences, there exists a number of virgin exploration
targets in the Precambrian terrains of southwest (Akobo belt extension), eastern (Soka series),
the Melka Arba iron ore within high grade metamorphic terrain, the Chercher Malachite in the
Mesozoic sandstone formations, and the Enkafela manganese in the Plio-Pleistocene
conglomerate and gypsifecous units of the Danakil Formation.

Industrial Minerals and Rocks

Industrial minerals and rocks are mainly related to Precambrian metamorphic rocks, Paleozoic-
Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, and Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks. These categories
can be considered as a distinct domain containing a characteristics and predictable suite of
industrial minerals and rocks.
• The Precambrian basement domain predominantly composed of high and low grade rocks. The
high-grade rocks including granites, gneissose rocks and associated pegmatites consists of
Kyanite, Asbestos, feldspar, mica, kaolin, quartz, beryl and spodumene. The meta-sedimentary
sequences commonly host graphite, talc, serpentinites, peridotite, and marble. The basement
rocks also provide hard rocks suitable for use as blocks or in crushed form as sized coarse
aggregate for construction.

• The Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary successions host limestone, sandstone, shale, marl and
gypsum and provide significant raw materials for cement, glass and construction industries.

• The Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks comprises basalts, trachytes, andesites, rhyolites, ignimbrites,
pumice and scoria. The Cenozoic sediments include limestone, sandstone, conglomerate,
mudstone, shale, gypsum, anhydrite, clay, siltstone, volcanoclastic and other types of evaporates.
The economic importance of the Cenozoic rocks as industrial mineral resources is demonstrated
by the presence of various construction materials, potash, common salt, gypsum, bentonite,
diatomite, pumice, volcanogenic sulphur, etc.

Energy Minerals

• The sediments in Tigray in the north and in the Gambella area in the west are of potential areas
for oil and gas prospects in Ethiopia and exploration for these minerals is ongoing. In the Ogaden
Basin in eastern Ethiopia, past explorations indicated occurrences of oil and gas. A gas deposit of
commercial value has been discovered in Calub that is at the moment under development.

• There are many occurrences of coal of different ranks in different parts of the country within
the sediments intercalated in the Tertiary volcanic rocks. The Yayu lignite coal deposit in
southwestern Ethiopia has been studied at a feasibility level and it is under developmental stage.

• The Main Ethiopian Rift and the Afar Depression are closely associated to Tertiary to recent
volcanic activities. An enormous amount of geothermal energy is estimated to exist within the
Rift. Pilot exploration drillings have proven the existence of steam capable of generating
geothermal power in Langano and Tendaho areas in the central and northern parts of the Rift
respectively.
CURRENT MINING STATUS IN ETHIOPIA

Gold

The Lege Dembi gold mine is the only modern primary gold mine existing in the country. It is
located 7 km southwest of Shakiso, a mining town about 500 km south of Addis Ababa, and is
subdivided into the northern, Central and southern ore bodies. The gold is hosted in auriferous
quartz veins associated with north-south trending shear zones that separate low grade rocks from
high grade gneisses. The deposit has a proven reserve of 83 tons of gold at an average grade of
4g/t.

Columbo–tantalite

This mine is operated by a state-owned company, Ethiopia Mineral Development Share

Company (EMD), at Kenticha, about 50 km southeast of Shakiso in the Adola Greenstone Belt.
A deposit in weathered crust was delineated in 1988 with proven reserves of 25,850 tons of
columbo– tantalite ore at 0.02 to 0.03% Ta2O5. Currently, a pilot plant is producing 60 tons/year
of columbo–tantalite ore.

Kaolin

Kaolin is mined by EMD Share Company at Bombawha in Southern Ethiopia, about 430 km
from Addis Ababa. This Kaolin is a product of in situ weathering of pegmatites and granites. The
upper parts of the pegmatites and granites have been kaolinzed to a depth of 20mt. Proven
reserves of 150,000 ton of kaolin had been identified in 1992, at which time open-pit mining
operations began. The main consumers of its products are the Tabor Ceramics and Aluminum
Sulphate Industries. The quality of the product satisfies its customers with an average Fe2O3
content of 0.7 - 0.8%. The grade of Kaolin is 32 - 36% with a recovery of 96%. The final product
has a grain size of less than 45 micrometer.

Dolomite

The Kenticha dolomite marble occurs north-west of the tantalum mine and extends for several
kilometers in a north-south direction. The composition of the marble varies from calcite to
magnesite and the grain size varies from fine to coarse. The Ethiopia Mineral Development
Share Company sells its products to Modern Building Industry (MBI), a Saudi enterprise, after
reducing its size to 0.1-0.3 mm by crushing. The final product is used as filler in paint, paper,
and rubber industries and marketed locally and abroad. The annual production is 5,000 tons and
the resource is about 1.5 million tons.

Quartz and Feldspar

Quartz and feldspar at Kenticha are mined as by-products of tantalum mining to be used for
different applications. These industrial mineral products are consumed mainly by Tabor Ceramic
Factory. The annual production is about 6,000 ton from a combined resource of one million tons.

Soda Ash

The Soda Ash Mine is located at Lake Abiyata in the Rift valley, about 200 km from Addis
Ababa. The resource at Lake Abiyata and the neighboring lakes of Shalla and Chitu exceed
460mt of sodium carbonate at salt concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 1.9%. The plant produces
about 20,000 ton/year of Soda Ash using solar evaporation harvesting system on a semi
industrial scale. The products are consumed by Caustic Soda, soap and detergent manufacturers
as well as by water supply institutions.

Opal

Mining for opal has been going on since 1998 after exploration commenced in 1994 in the
central part of the country by the private sector. Systematic exploration is underway to define
bigger deposits and to look for better quality gems.

Dimension Stones

According to the US Geological Survey mining statistics, the production of dimension-stone in

Ethiopia reached 100,000 tons in 1999 – an increase by 150% from 1995. This includes the
production of granite, marble and limestone. The large increase in production was boosted by
strong construction activity in the country. At present, there are several producing local and
foreign private companies in Ethiopia. The National Mining Corporation (NMC), Saba Stones
and Ethiopian Mining Industry (EMI) are mining marble, granite, and amphibolite and limestone
in various part of the country. In addition to the local market, some of them are exporting the
marble blocks to the Middle East and Europe.
Mineral Potential
Details
Parent Category: Resources
Category: Mineral Resources
Hits: 506

Mineral Resource Potential of Ethiopian (Summery)

Resource/Reserve
No. Mineral type Area of occurrence
potential(tons)
Adola,Moyale,Metekel,Tulu kape,Dul,Oda
1 Gold more than 200
godere,Benshangul,Akobo,Tigray
2 Tantalum Adola/Keneticha 19435

3 Platinum Yubdo,Oromia 12.5

4 Copper Benshangul gumuz,Tigray Indications

5 Iron Bikilal ,Melka arba and others 68.4M

6 Nickel Adola 17M

7 Manganese Afar/Inkafala 207563

8 Molybdenum Benshangul gumuz Indications

Mekele,Abay,Butajira,Ogaden,Denakil,
9 Limestone more than 900M
Diredawa,Harar
many
10 Pumice Rift valley
million tons
11 Gypsum Tigray,Oromia,Amhara 57.4M
Mossobo, Diredawa, Melka jebdu
12 Clay 21.6M
Debrebirhan,Burayu
   many
13 Scoria Rift valley
million tons
14 Potash Afar 1.3B

15 Phosphate Bikilal ,Melka arba 181M

16 Marble Daletti,Mora,Baruda,Bullen,Hulakuni,Tigray 100M
Harrari,Meleka,Anger gutten,Hamaressa,Tigray
17 Granite 70M
Babile
18 Silica sand Mugher valley, Jemma river 3.4M

19 Feldspar Adolla/Kenticha,Babile,Shebele 500000

20 Quartz Adola/Kenticha,somalie 400000

21 Dolomite Kenticha,Galetti,Harrari 2M

22 Kaolin Banbuawuha,kombolcha,Hossaina,Ansho,Beles more than 20M

Adami tulu,Gidicho island,Abiyata,Shalla,Chefe
23 Diatomite more than 120M
jilla,
24 Bentonite Afar(Gewane,Mille,Warsisa), Gidicho island 172M

25 Soda ash Ziway,Abiyata,Shala,Chitu) 460M

26 Salt Afdera,Asele lake,Afker,mega,Berahle 4.3B

27 Sulfur Afar (Dofan,Chibrit,Ali,Zariga) 6M

28 Graphite Moyale 460000

29 Kyanite Chembi/Kibremengist more than 10M

30 Talc Anno/Kibremengist 118175

Coal
Moye,Delbi,Yayu,Chilga,Gojeb,Mush,Sar wiha
31 more than 360M
kunzila,
 
  Wuchale,Haik,Dese,Mersa,Arjo,Nejo,Mendi,Kind
Indications
o halal,Morka,Jeren,Lalosapo

Known Ethiopian Mineral Resources

No. Mineral Type Area of Occurrence Resource/Reserve Potential

1 Iron ore Bikilal (Oromia) 58000000 ton
2 Primary Gold Lega Dembi (Oromia) 200 ton
3 Platinum Yubdo (Oromia) 12.5 ton
4 Alluvial Gold Serkole (Beneshangul) 01-    0.7 ton
5 Alluvial Gold Degro (Oromia) 0.7 ton
6 Nickel Adola (Oromia) 17000000 ton
7 Rare Metals Kenticha (Oromia) 25000 ton
 8 Iron Ore Melka Arba (Oromia) 10,000000 ton

Regional geological maps coverage

 

heet No Locality Coverage Year Scale Publisher

Latitude(o)        Longitude(o)

C36-4 Abu Ramla 11-12 35-36 2002 250,000 GSE

C36-7/8 Kurmuke&Asos 10-11 34.13-36 1997 250,000 GSE
a
C36-11 Tosho 9-10 34.15-34.5 2001 250,000 GSE
C36-12 Gimbi 9-10 34.5-36 2001 250,000 GSE
C36-16 Gore 8-9 34.5-36 1987 250,000 GSE
A37-2 Sololo 6.5-4 37.5-39 1993 250,000 GSE
A37-3 Moyale 3.5-4 39-40.5 1994 250,000 GSE
B37-7 Dodola(Goba) 6-7 39-40.5 1998 250,000 GSE
B37-10 Agermaryam 5-6 37.5-39 1997 250,000 GSE
B37-11 Negele 5-6 39-40.5 1999 250,000 GSE
B37-14 Yabelo 4-5 37.5-39 2002/3 250,000 GSE
B37-15 Wachile 4-5 39-40.5 200/3 250,000 GSE
C37-9 Nekemte 9-10 36-37.5 2001 250,000 GSE
C37-12 Dire Dawa 9-10 40.5-42 1985 250,000 GSE
C37-12 Nazreth 8-9 39-40.5 1978 250,000 GSE
C37-15 Aksum 14-14.8 37.5-39 1999 250,000 GSE
D37-6 Adigrat 14-15 39-40.5 1978   GSE
D37-7 Adi ramet 13-14 36-37.5 1982   GSE
D37-9 Mekele 13-14 39-40.5 1968-    
71
D37-11 Nagreth dera 8.25-8.5 39.10-39.5 1992 50,000 Italy
Debrezeyt     1999 100,000 Italy
Adola 5.15-6.05 38.75-39.008 1992 100,000 GSE
Omo River 4.1-8 33-37.5 1979 500,000 GSE
project Area
Central & 10-13 39.75-43.50 1975 500,000 France/Italy
Southern-Afar
Ogaden 3.75-8 39.5-48 1985 1,000,000 France
Ethiopia 4-14 33-48 1996 2,000,000 GSE
 
Ethiopian Ministry of Mines
Geological Survey of Ethiopia

Geology of Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a complex geological history represented in three
major geological terrains. Late Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic
continental and marine sediments occur mainly in the eastern
part of Ethiopia. Also Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks
occur, including those of the East African Rift Valley transecting
the country from south to north.
The most important terrain for gold exploration and exploitation
is the Proterozoic basement constituting about 18% of the
country. The basement hosts nearly all known gold occurrences.
The entire country is covered by this 1:2 000 000 scale geological
map, which was first published in 1973 and edited in 1996, while
the compilation of 1:250 000 scale maps is still ongoing. At
present 51% of the country is covered by 1:250 000 scale maps
and full coverage is expected before 2016. These maps are
available both in hard copy print and soft copy.
Geochemical surveys on different scales have been conducted in
different parts of the country with particular emphasis on the
assessment of the mineral potential of the Precambrian rocks. To
date c. 20% of the country has been covered by 1:100 000 scale
maps and for selected areas more detailed maps have been
compiled. From 2009 systematic geochemical mapping on a scale
of 1:250 000 integrated with geological and geophysical mapping
was started and coverage of 50% is expected before 2016. Further
the compilation of a 1:2 000 000 scale geochemical map and
metallogenic map has been initiated.
A considerable part of the greenstone belts in the Proterozoic
basement has been covered by airborne geophysical surveys. The
Ethiopian Government has approved a five-year strategic plan
(2011-2015) to cover the country by
low–medium resolution,
airborne geophysical surveys, to compile a 1:500 000
scale gravity
map of Ethiopia and increase the coverage of the 1:250 000 scale
gravity map to around 50% of the country.