THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

MINISTRY OF MINES
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ETHIOPIA
BASIC GEOSCIENCE MAPPING CORE PROCESS

GEOLOGY OF THE AKAKI-BESEKA AREA

MEMOIR 26

Compiled by:
Efrem Beshawered

Addis Ababa
December 2010
 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Front cover: Principal Component colour composite map of Akaki-Beseka area.

Landsat TM band combination (7-5-3) in RGB with better distinction of geology,
central volcanic centers and linear structures.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

ABSTRACT

Akaki-Beseka Project, (Map Sheet/NC 37–14), is located just south of Addis Ababa, central
Ethiopia. It is bounded between latitudes 8°00΄and 9°00΄ north and longitudes 37°30΄ and
39°00΄ east covering a total area of 18,000 km2. The Project was chosen to pilot test the newly
chosen ‘To-be’ model of Accelerated Geoscience Mapping, designed to provide basic
geoscience information (at a scale of 1:250,000) to the customer within 281 days covering a
land area of 160,000 km2 of the country’s landmass.

In this study, integrated geological, geochemical, and remote sensing and GIS techniques
(except airborne geophysics) were utilized with the aim to learn more about the designed
process whilst understanding the geology and mineral potential of the area under
investigation.

The present investigation has revealed the presence of 1) Pre-Rift Units: constituting high
grade metamorphic rock ( biotite gneiss); Mesozoic sedimentary rocks comprising Adigrat-
Sandstone, shales and marls, and Antalo-Limestone; and Oligocene to Late Miocene plateau
flood (Jimma, Aiba-Alaje, Makonnen, Tarmaber-Megezez, Guraghe-Anchar, and Addis
Ababa) basalts; 2) Syn-Rift Units: constituting Upper Miocene-Quaternary products of
Nazret pyroclastic rocks of welded to partially welded pyroclastic flows with rhyolitic and
trachytic lava domes; 3 ) Main Rift Units: comprising Quaternary-Holocene young central
volcanoes of Gash Megal rhyolites and Wechacha trachytes, Chefe Donsa pyroclastic deposits,
scoria fallout and phyric basaltic lava flows of Akaki, Zikwala trachytes, rhyolitic domes,
obsidian lava flow, pyroclastics and pumice fall deposits of Bora-Bericha, lacustrine
sediments, and phreatomagmatic, scoria cones and fallout deposits of Wonji basalts; and 4)
Quaternary alluvial deposits.

The distribution and geochemical association of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Au in minus 100-mesh
grain-size fraction of rock samples from bed rock geology of Akaki Beseka area show
different trends that emerge from the variation in elemental concentration of bedrock geology.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

These elemental associations clearly demarcate five geochemically favourable anomalous

areas that point to the presence of unrealized precious and base metal mineralizations.
Comparison of the elemental concentrations of rock samples with the average abundance of
minor and trace elements of the Earth’s crust show that the rocks studied are lower in Cr, Co
and Zn content and higher in Ni, Cu and Au.

Structurally, the area of interest, straddle at the contact zone between the Ethiopian Plateau
and western margin of central and northern Main Ethiopian Rift. It is featured by NE to NNE-
trending and N to NNE- trending normal faults and several lineaments. It is also characterized
by Quaternary volcano-tectonic alignments that run close to the western rift escarpment called
Butajira-Silti Line (Di Paola and Berhe, 1972) and Bishoftu Volcano-Tectonic Belt ( Mazzioli
et al., 1999).

In this study, despite the lack of budget in implementing airborne geophysical techniques, the
application of multi-source data sets including geological, geochemical, and Landsat ETM+
data were found useful in providing high quality geoscience information useful to furnish
essential promotional geological information to the public domain and private investors.

Based on this work and synthesis of various workers, the area contains: 1) iron and ferro-alloy
metals: Fe, Mn and Ti (e.g. Solomon et al., 2000)); 2) ceramic and refractory minerals:
clay/bentonite (e.g. Jelenc, 1966; Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et al., 2000), salt:
soda ash (e.g. Jelenc, 1966; Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et al., 2000 ); 3) Mineral
water: thermal and cold springs ( Cherenet, 1985 ); 4) Building raw materials and industrial
rocks and minerals: limestone, basalt, rhyolite, ignimbrite, scoria (e.g. Karstadet et al., 1988;
Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et al., 2000); and 5) Precious and base metal
mineralization (this work) that are grouped into five distinct favorable area. It is, therefore,
recommended to undertake a follow-up geological and geochemical survey giving priority to
areas, demarcated as area1 (A1), area 2 (A2), area 3 (A3), area 4 (A4) and area 5 (A5) at a
scale of 1: 100, 000 to appreciate the economic benefits derived from the region.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page:

ABSTRACT…...….……………...……….…………………………………………..……ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.............……….…………………….…………………………iv
LIST OF FIGURES………..........……….…………………....……………...…………vii
LIST OF TABLES……...........………….…………………….……………...…………viii
LIST OF ENCLOSURE...............……………..….…………………….………..… viii
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS………..…….…………………….…………………………ix

1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1

1.1. Background and objectives of the work .......................................................................... 1

1.2. Location and access ......................................................................................................... 3
1.3. Physiography and drainage ............................................................................................. 5
1.4. Climate. ........................................................................................................................... 9
1.5. Vegetation and wildlife. ................................................................................................. 9
1.6. Culture ............................................................................................................................. 9
1.7. Previous geological studies ............................................................................................. 9
1.8. Methodos and techniques. ............................................................................................. 12
1.8.1. Desk study and image processing techniques……....…..……………………..12
1.8.2. Surface geological mapping methods.....…................…....………….………..12
1.8.3. Geochemical sampling ..……...….………...……………..……….…………..12
1.8.4. Analytical methods…. …………………..………..……………........………..14
1.8.5. Quality control …..…...…...…..…………......……..……………..…………..15
1.8.6. Data processing and presentation .……….…………………….……………..15

2. REGIONAL GEOLOGIC SETTING.. ....................................................................... 16

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Page:

3. LITHOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA ..................................................................... 20

3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 20

3.1.1. Pre-rift unit....…………..……......……….…..………………..………………..20

[Link]. Biotite Gneiss (Pbg)..…....………...…..………………………………..20
[Link]. Adigrat Sandstone (T3ag).…......…….……..…………………………..20
[Link]. Shales and Marls (J2b).……....…........………………..………………..23
[Link]. Antalo Limestone (J2t)……....…...…..……...………...………………..23
[Link]. Jimma Lower Basalts (E2jl)......….…..………………..………………..24
[Link]. Jimma Upper Basalts (E2ju).....…………..............................………….24
[Link]. Aiba-Alaje Basalts (E2aa).….……...................……...........................…24
[Link]. Makonnen Basalts (E2mn )...........……..………….........................……24
[Link]. Tarmaber-Megezez Formation (E3tm).............................…..……….....24
[Link]. Guraghe-Anchar Basalts (Ega)..........................…................................25
[Link]. Addis Ababa Basalts (Eaa)...……...……..…………............................25

3.1.2. Syn-rift units……..…..……......……….…...……………...……….…………..25

[Link]. Welded Pyroclastic Flows (Nwp)….......…...……………................….25

[Link]. Welded to Partially Welded Pyroclastic Flows (Npp).......................….25
[Link]. Rhyolitic and Trachytic Lava Domes (Nrd).……............................….26

3.1.3. Main-rift units.....…...…….….......……….…..……………………….………..26

[Link]. Gash Megal Rhyolites (Ngr)..…...….…….…………............................26

[Link]. Babich-Guder Basalts (Npb)…..…...…...….…….............................…..26
[Link]. Wechacha Trachytes (Nwt)..…..……..…...….……...…………………..26

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area
Page:

[Link]. Chefe Donsa Pyroclastic Deposits (Ncp).......….............................……27

[Link]. Scoria Fallouts (Qts)…..……...…..…...………….........................……27
[Link]. Phyric Basaltic Flows (Qtp).........…….……….….........................……27
[Link]. Zikwala Trachytes (Qtz)...…..…..…...…………...................................28
[Link]. Rhyolitic Domes with Obsidian Lava Flows(Qtr)..................................28
[Link]. Pyroclastics and Pumice Fall Deposits (Qta)….……..…...…….….…..28
[Link]. Lacustrine Sediments (Q2us).…......………...………………….....….28
[Link]. Phreatomagmatic Deposits (Qup) ..........…...…………………...……29
[Link]. Scoria Cones and Fall-out Deposits (Quc)….……………...….…..…29

. [Link]. Basaltic Lava Flows (Qub)……............……….………………..……29

3.1.4. Quaternary surficial deposits….........…….…..………………………………..29

[Link]. Alluvium (Qus)...….….…..…………..…………………………..……29

4. STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY AREA...................................................................... 30

5. GEOCHEMISTRY........................................................................................................ 31

5.1. General.……...………....……..….......……………………….……....……………….31
5.2. Lithogeochemistry…............................………………………..…………………..….31
5..2. 1. Choice of threshold....……………..………………..…..…….……………….31
5.2.2. Element associations.........................…………………..…..………………….33
5.2. 3. Spatial distribution of geochemical data…………………..….……………….35
[Link]. Chromium…….…..............….....…………………………..…..…….35
[Link]. Cobalt....................…………………………......….....................…….35
[Link]. Nickel.................................…....…………..…………..…..………….37
[Link]. Copper….....….…...............….....…………………………..…..…….37
[Link]. Zinc….…........…….....……………..…..………………....………….41
[Link]. Gold….…..……..…..……….….……….………………..……….…..43

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Page:

[Link]. Summary.……………......………....……………..…....…………….43

5.3. Drainage geochemistry of heavy mineral concentrate samples…………………..…...43

6. DISCUSSIONS AND INTERPRETATION. ............................................................. 48

7. GEOLOGIC HISTORY/GEODYNAMIC EVOLUTION. ...................................... 52

8. NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE STUDY AREA ................................................ 54

9. CONCLUSIONS AND FURTHER RESEARCH ..................................................... 57

9.1. Conclusions.……......……........….......…………………….……..…………..……….57
9.2. Further research….......….........….......………….………….……...………….……….59

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...………….…….……..……….....……………….………… 60
REFERENCES…………...………….……….…..………...……..………..….…………61
APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………………65

Appendix 1 Geotraverse route and observation point site location map………….. 66

Appendix 2 Sample site location map….……………...…………...…………..………67
Appendix 3 AAS analyses of minor and trace element raw data in rock
samples of Akaki-Beseka area.....................................................………………………68
Appendix 4 Total mineral composition of heavy mineral concentrate samples...……...73
Appendix 5 AAS analyses of minor element raw data in rock samples...……………...74

LIST OF FIGURES
Fig.1 Location map of the study area……….....……..………………………………………...4
Fig.2 Geomorphological map of the study area….…..………………………………………...7
Fig.3 Simplified geological map of central Ethiopia…………………….………..……..…...19
Fig.4 Structural map of Akaki-Beseka area……………………………………….……….…30
Fig.5 Histogram plot of minor and trace element concentrations in rock samples .……….…32
Fig.6 Tukey boxplot of minor and trace element concentrations in rock samples ….…..……33

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.7 Symbol map of chromium concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area……...36

Fig.8 Symbol map of cobalt concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area…......……38
Fig.9 Symbol map of nickel concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area..…....……39
Fig.10 Symbol map of copper concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.…..……40
Fig.11 Symbol map of zinc concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.…......……42
Fig.12 Symbol map of gold concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area……...……43
Fig.13 Composite geochemical map of anomalous rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area ….....46
Fig.14 Heavy mineral concentrate distribution of drainage sediments ………………………47
Fig.15 Natural resource map of Akaki-Beseka area……..…….……………………..…..……56

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Number of geochemical samples collected for the pilot test study.………….….……13
Table 2 Stratigraphy of the map area …….…………………………….…………..…….……21
Table 3 Summary statistics for the geochemistry of rock samples in Akaki-Beseka area….…33
Table 4 Pearson correlation coefficient for minor elements in rock samples........................…34

LIST OF ENCLOSURE

Encl. 1 Geological map of the Akaki-Beseka Area (1:250,000 scale)

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Name Position

A. Project supervisors:

1. Dr. Bedru Hussien Former Process Owner, Basic Geoscience Mapping Core
Process
2. Mr. Befekadu Oluma Head, Geophysics Department
3. Mr. Yeheyis Amideberhan Member

B. Earthscience professionals:

1. Mr. Tadesse Alemu Process Owner, Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process
2. Mr. Efrem Beshawered Project coordinator and compiler
3. Mr. Tigil Belay Team leader
4. Mr. Abiy Ayalew Team leader
5. Mr. Teferie Zewede Member
6. Miss Genet Yohannes Member
7. Mr. Thomas Kassahun Member
8. Mr. Henok Bekele Member

C. Drivers:

1. Mr. Terefe Atomsa Member

2. Mr. Mulugeta Gugsa Member
3. Mr. Afework Admasu Member
4. Mr. Tolossa Hursae Member

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background and objectives of the work

Nowadays, business process reengineering (BPR) has become a widely accepted approach
for redesigning the way work is done in order to achieve drastic improvement of current
performances in cost, services and speed. This approach is largely focused on a direct
involvement and satisfaction of the customer’s need. In this regard, the Government of
Ethiopia, which was striving for efficiency and customer satisfaction, has launched a
business process reengineering (BPR) program to produce a civil service indispensable to
the delivery of public service, as well as to the implementation of the government policies
and strategies. Within the framework of this program, a Steering Committee, led by His
Excellency Mr. Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has
established a Core Team and several reengineering teams to undertake institutional
transformation of the sector with visionary yet realistic and responsible attitudes.

At a regional or small scale survey, the Core Team, under the surveillance of the Steering
Committee, has selected key core processes that are critical to provide and fulfill the
customer’s needs in basic geoscience information as well as the sector’s benefits. These
include: surface geologic mapping, ground (gravity) and airborne (magnetic and
radiometric) geophysics, and geochemistry that are combined into one process called
“Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process”.

In the past, these processes in particular surface geologic mapping, ground (gravity) and
airborne (magnetic and radiometric) geophysics, and geochemistry were administered by
Regional Geology and Geochemistry Department, Geophysics Department, and
Geochemistry Team (under Economic Mineral Exploration and Evaluation Department),
respectively. Each unit was conducting its job, at varying scale and areal coverage, in
isolation by developing its own initiatives that don't come together as a coherent change in
addressing the public needs. This incoherent approach has left the sector to critically
review, understand and redesign the existing performances of the three functional units.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

In actual realization of the Ministry’s process-centered reengineering plan, a reengineering

team, under the surveillance of the Steering Committee and the Core Team, has been
erected to understand and redesign the existing performances of the three functional units.
Accordingly, the business process redesigning study was undertaken in two phases: i) “As-
is” study phase and ii) “To-be” model stage.

i) ‘‘As-is” study phase:

“As –is” study phase includes mapping of the existing process in each departments and was
followed by a gap analysis to identify problems and bottlenecks. This has laid a basis to
establish a ‘stretch objectives’ which stated “to make available basic geoscience
information (both map and accompanying report) to the client and/or stakeholder within
540 days in a land area of 160,000 square kilometers with consistent attention to improve
the quality of the report by 95%” ; and

ii) “To-be” model stage formulating two alternatives:

a) Conventional geoscience mapping, designed to start with remote sensing data evaluation
and analysis for the preparation of digital geographic base map and lithologic and
structural map at the office within a short period of time. This is followed by a fieldwork
study by integration of surface geological mapping, ground (gravity) geophysics and
geochemical (e.g. stream sediment, soil or others at a sampling density of 1 sample /100
km2) techniques with the aim to provide basic geoscience information (at a scale of
1:250,000) to the customer within 540 days covering a land area of 160,000 km2 of the
country’s land mass; and

b) Accelerated geoscience mapping, designed first to start with remote sensing and image
processing of satellite image for the preparation of digital geographic base map, and
eventual production of lithologic and structural map at the office in a long period of time.
Concurrently, airborne (magnetic and radiometric) geophysical investigation is conducted
to identify a possible signature or geophysical anomaly of the region in question.
Combining the results of both techniques, the likely promising target area is delineated to
be investigated by integration of geological and multi-media geochemical (at a sampling

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

density of 1sample/10 km2) investigations for a short period of fieldwork studies. The aim
of this alternative is to provide basic geoscience information (at a scale of 1:250,000) to the
customer within 281 days covering a land area of 160,000 km2 of the country’s land mass.

Among the proposed alternatives, the second one has been chosen as the newly designed
process in order to provide effective services to the customer as well as to achieve the
greatest possible benefits to the sector.

Before the full implementation of the newly designed process, it is deemed necessary to
undertake a pilot test study in a chosen area of Akaki Beseka (NC 37-14) Map Sheet. The
scope of this study was to examine and understand how the newly designed process works
by integration (with the exemption of aireborne geophysical technique) of geological,
geochemical and remote sensing and image processing techniques in one place at a time.
The specific objectives of the pilot test study were: 1) to map the bed rock geology and
resource potential of the region at a scale of 1:250,000; 2) to analyse and document the
geochemical signature of various sample media in demarcating area of interest that are
permissive for the occurrence of any type of mineralization; and 3) to involve staff in order
to help them understand how the newly designed process works.

As part of the pilot test project, an implementation team consisting of one process owner,
eight geoscientists, four drivers, and thirty daily laborers has conducted integrated
geological, geochemical investigation covering a land area of 18,000 square kilometers
starting from December 5th to 24th 2008. This report has an intention to convey to the
readers useful experience encountered during the pilot test study coupled with the result of
the main findings.

1.2. Location and access

The area of investigation (Fig. 1) just south of Addis Ababa, is situated partly in Oromia
and Southern Peoples Nation’s and Nationalities Regional States, and partly in Addis
Ababa Metropolitan City. It falls in Akaki-Beseka (NC 37–14) Map Sheet. The study area
is bounded between latitudes 8° 00΄and 9° 00΄ north and longitudes 37° 30΄ and 39° 00΄
east covering a total area of 18,000 square kilometers.

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Fig. 1 Location and accessibility map of the study area.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

The area can be accessed by a four-wheeled drive vehicle in three directions: i) Ambo area,
northwest corner of the mapped area, is reached by 130 km asphalt road from Addis Ababa
through the towns of Holeta, Addis Alem and Ginchi; 2) Welkite area and its s environs
can be accessed by 200 km asphalt road from Addis Ababa through the towns of Alem
Gena, Tefki, Asgori, Tulu Bolo, Dilela, Weliso and Gora, and 3) Ziway area, central south,
can be reached either by 200 km asphalt road through the town of Alem Gena, Boneya,
Melka Kunture, Suten, Bui and Kella, or 200 km asphalt road through the twons of Akaki
Beseka, Dukem, Debre Ziet, Mojo, Koka, Alem Tena, Meki and Ziway. There are also
several interconnected all weather roads that could render a good access within the map
area.

1.3. Physiography and drainage

Physiographically, the study area (Fig.2) is found partly in the Central Lava Highlands and
Massifs within the Western Highland Plateaus, and partly in the Ethiopian rift valley
(Ethiopian Meteorological Authority, 1981). The study area is featured by varied
topography ranging from plain lowland to slightly rugged terrains. The elevated
topography is common in central south, northeast and northwest corner, but relatively flat
to plain areas are found in the western, eastern, northwestern and southwestern portion of
the map area. The highest elevation is about 3609 meters in central south and the lowest
elevation is below 1500 meters to the northwest and southwest corner of the map area. The
area is part and parcel of the Abay, Omo, Awash and Lakes Rgion Basins (Fig. 2).

In the the Abay Basin area, most of the rivers are perennial and wet, except very few dry
tributaries. The main river, variously named as Bite, Belo and Tikur in different places,
flows in a northeast-southwest direction and its tributaries are flowing towards it in
northwest-southeast direction. Within this basin, Lake Dendi is found. All rivers flow to
Guder stream and then to Abay Wenz, which eventually drain to Meditterranean Sea.

In the the Omo Basin area, the main river is Gibe which flows to the northwest and turns to
south when it reaches to the Gibe Bridge area. It has several tributaries which flow to the

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

south when it reaches to the Gibe Bridge area. It has several tributaries which flow to the
southwest, such as Walga and Darge with their tributaries and to the northwest and west
including Winke river and its affluents. All rivers and their tributaries flow to Omo River,
which ultimately enter into Lake Rudolf/ Lake Turkana.

The Awash Basin, prominently comosed of the Awash river that flows to the southwest
and turns to south before reaching to Zikwal mountain and bends almost to the east and
then to northeast and join Lake Asle, near Djibouti border. Most of its tributaries in its
upper course, dissected the area in a northwest-southeast direction. Some of these rivers
include: Berga, Holeta, Teji, Watira, Dukem, Tiliku and Tinish Lemon, and Akaki. Very
few rivers, in its lower course within the map area, cut the area in northwest-southeast
directions. These are: Bedesa, Lencha and few unnamed streams and their tributaries.
Apart from these, several maars or volcanic crater lakes (e.g. Bishoftu Guda, Haro,
Cheleleka and Bishoftu and Horo Hado) are found near Debre Zeyt area and artificial lakes
of Koka and Ellen in the eastern portion of the map area.

The Lakes Region Basin, notably comosed of Meki river that flows to Lake Ziway. The
Meki river, which starts around Tiya, flows in a northeast-southwest direction up to Kella
town and then bends to nort-south direction as far south as Hamus Gebeya. From here, it
attains a northwet-southeast direction for a limited distance and swiftly changes to a
northeast-southwest direction as far south as Ejersa Lele where it turns to a northwest-
southeast direction and enters to Lake Ziway. One maar or volcanic crater lake (e.g. Har
Shetan) and lake Koye are found northeast of Kibet town and northeast of Ejersa Lela
village, respectively.

The geomorphology of the area can be grouped into nine geomorphic (Fig. 2) units: Gibe
gorge, Korati ridge, Guraghe highland plateau, escarpment, rift margin basin and ridges,
Gash Megal highland, volcanic mountains and spatter cones, rift lowlands and spatter
cones, and flat undulating plains. A brief description of each unit is rendered below.

Gibe Gorge: exposed to the southwest, it comprises small rolling ridges and deeply
dissected gorge-like valleys bounded to the east and west by spectacular scarps. It is mostly
less than 1500 metrers above sea lelel. It is underlain by extensive lava flows of Oligocene-
Miocene Jimma Volcancs (Upper Basalt).

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Legend

1 = Gibe Gorge

N 2 = Korati Ridge

3 = Guraghe Highland Plateau

4 = Escarpment

5 = Rift Margin Basin and Ridges

6 = Gash Megal Highland

7 = Volcanic Mountains and Spatter Cones

8 = Rift Lowlands and Spatter Cones

9 = Flat Undulating Plains

= Geomorphological contact

= Water divide

Fig. 2 Morphological map of Akaki-Beseka area.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Korati Ridge: this landform exposed to the northwest, is featured by rolling uplands covered
by basic volcanic rocks of Tertiary age. It has an elevation that range from 2100 meters with
a highest elevation of 3023 metres. It is part of the Abay Basin.

Guraghe Highland Plateau: consists of remnants of extensive flat surface dissected by deep
gorges and small ravines. It is underlain by welded to partially welded pyroclastic flows of
Miocene age. It ranges from 3000 meters to 3609 meters above sea level.

Escarpment: situated between Guraghe highland plateau and rift margin basin and ridges
west of Butajira town, the general elevation of the land is between 2500 and 3000 meters
above sea level. The north central part of this land is is comosed of high scarp overlooking
the rift floor.

Rift Margin Basin and Ridges: this land form occurs near the western margin of Main
Ethiopian Rift. It is characterized by low topographic bains and intervening ridges. The rocks
forming this geomorphic unit are basalts, rhyolitic and trachytic lava domes and welded to
partially weld pyroclastic flows.

Gash Megal Highland: this land form occurs near the western margin of Main Ethiopian Rift
usually forming elevated ridges. The rocks forming this geomorphic unit are rhyolite with
minor trachytic.

Volcanic Mountains and Spatter Cones: this land form occurs near the western margin of
Main Ethiopian Rift. It is characterized by low topographic bains and intervening ridges. The
rocks forming this geomorphic unit are basalts, rhyolitic and trachytic lava domes and
welded to partially welded pyroclastic flows.

Rift Lowlands and Spatter Cones: this is part of one of the best known East African Rift
geomorpohological features. The sides are normally steep and in places preciptioous rising
more than 200 meters above sea level.

Flat Undulating Plains: characterized by flat low lying topographic surfaces superimposed on
on the low topographic bains and intervening ridges.

8
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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

The general soil types recognized on the basis of physiographic UNESCO soil classification
scheme include nitosols, with minor humic cambisols and chromic vertisols (Ethiopian
Meteorological Authority, 1981).

1.4. Climate

The whole area, lying in a tropical climate, classified as wet, humid region with a mean
annual rainfall of 1000-1400 mm per year (Ethiopian Meteorological Authority, 1981). There
are two seasons of rainfall. The first rainy season spans from late May to late September and
the second from mid of March to mid of April. February to May is the warmest month, while
the coldest month is July and August. Although it varies from time to time, malaria invasion
period is common during these rainy seasons.

1.5. Vegetation and wildlife

The area is vegetated by different types of dry savanna grass, bamboo forest, deciduous
woodland and other varieties (Ethiopian Meteorological Authority, 1981). The main fauna in
the area includes roan antelope, colubus monkey, patas monkey, ape, reed buck, tortoise,
porcupine, and a variety of birds.

1.6. Culture

In urban areas (e.g. Addis Ababa, Debre Zeyt, Ambo, Weliso, Welkite, Meki, Butajira and
other minor towns) there are several settlements inhabited by diverse ethinic groups who led
their life through trading, agriculture and as employees of governmental and non-
governmental agencies and various industries. In the rural areas, there are several scattered
settlements and villages inhabited by Amhara, Tigre, Guraghe and Oromo peoples who
support their life by irrigated and rain feed subsistence agriculture and products of their
cattle. The main crops cultivated in the area include: Teff, wheat, barley, sorghum, maize,
beans, enset, cotton, and sugar cane, and various fruits including bananna, papaya, pineapple,
lemon and orange.

1.7. Previous geological studies

Early reference to the study of the volcanic rocks of Ethiopia including the area of interest
was given by very few investigators (e.g. Blanford, 1870; Dainelli, 1943) lay down essential

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

basis on the geology of the region. Later on, Kazmin (1972) and Merla et. al. (1973) with
comments (Merla et. al., 1979) presented the geology of Ethiopia and published a geological
map at a scale of 1:2,000,000. This in turn, has been modified by Tefera et al. (1996) who
released a published map with accompanying explanatory note.

Among these, Kazmin (1972) mapped the area of interest as being composed of Adigrat
sandstone, the oldest unit, of Triassic to middle Jurassic age. Oligocene-Pleistocene basic,
flood basalt and basic tuffs, to felsic, Ignimbrite, pumice, trachyte, volcanic rocks which
cover much of the study area and alluvial and lacustrine deposits of Pleistocene to Recent age
in the central north and southeastern portion of the map area. Merla et al. (1973) mapped the
area of interest as being composed of Triassic (?) to Dogger (?) Adigrat sandstone, the oldest
unit, composed of variegated quartzose sandstone of fluvial and/or littoral origin and
Oligocene-Pleistocene basic to felsic volcanic rocks which cover much of the study area and
alluvial and lacustrine deposits of Pleistocene to Recent age in the central north and
southeastern portion of the map area. Kazmin and Berhe (1978) mapped the volcanic
succession of Nazret area of northern Main Ethiopian Rift and pinpointed four stages of
rifting that took place at 14, 10, 4-5 and 1.6-1.8 Ma. Each rifting phase accompanied by
eruption of trachytic volcanism on its rift shoulder. They stressed the presence of left lateral
displacement of the axial zone –Wonji Fault Belt.

Kazmin and Berhe (1978) produced a geological map of the Ethiopian Rift at the scale of
1:500, 000 and documented the presence of gneiss, Triassic to middle Jurassic sandstone of
Adigrat Formation, Oligocene-Holocene age basic to felsic volcanic rocks and lacustrine
sediments. Still other researchers, just within and adjacent the area of interest, have also
conducted for the tectono-magmatic evolution of volcanic rocks in relation to the Main
Ethiopian Rift (e.g Mohr, 1960, 1962, 1967; Alula et. al., 1992; Abebe, et al., 1998;
Boccaletti, et al., 1999), geochemical modification of basltic magmatism during ascent and
genesis of acidic rocks (e.g. Barberio [Link]., 1999). These studies suggested the occurrence of
sinistral shear along the central and northern sector of the Main Ethiopian Rift (e.g. Gibson,
1969, Kazmin, 1980) extension orthogonal to the rift axis (e.g. Mohr, 1983) and still others
suggested the occurrence of pure extension rifting (e.g. Mackenzie et al., 1970).

WoldeGabriel et. al. (1999) provides a generalalized geological map of the central sector of
the Main Ethiopian Rift and documented a brief summary of the spatial and temporal
10
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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

relations of felsic rocks. Cherenet and Hart (1999) studied the petrological and geochemical
features of volcanism in the northern Main Ethiopian Rift and documented that volcanic
rocks in the area show a strong variation in geochemical character that is attributed to the
composition of the mantle source and nature of post-differentiation process. Yirgu et al.
(1999) reported the abnormal concentration of fluorine and chlorine in volcanic rocks of
Gedemsa volcano. They documented the variation in the concentration of both elements in
basic and acidic rocks. They explained this variation in terms magma mixing and fractional
crystallization or AFC process, starting from basaltic magma.

Mazzarini et al. (1999) conducted a detailed geological mapping of Debre Zeyt area at a scale
of 1:100, 000. They constrained the stratigraphic position of ten volcanic rocks by new K/Ar
measurement and grouped them into three volcanic complexes: 1) The Western Rift Margin
Comlex: comprises four volcanic units of Addis Ababa basalt, Addis Ababa ignimbrite,
central volcanoes of trachyte lavas with minor pyroclastics and Akaki scoria and spatter cone
with associated lava flow; 2) Intra-Rift Comlex: includes Upper Miocene-
Quaternaryproducts of Nazret welded peralkaline rhyolitic ignimbrite with basic lavas
intercalation, Tulu Rie basalt, and Chefe Donsa Baslt; 3 ) Rift Axis Complex: it is made up
of Quaternary-Holocene young central volcanoes, Zikwal trachyte with pyroclastic deposits,
Bede Gebabe volcano with pumice and lava flows of rhyolite to trachyte composition,
basaltic cinder and spatter cones of Bishoftu volcanic and lacustrine deposits.

Abebe et al. (2005) mapped the northern sector of the Main Ethiopian Rift, including half of
the present investigation area to the east, at the scale of 1:200,000. They constrained the
stratigraphic position of the various volcanic units by new K/Ar measurement and grouped
them into three main categories: 1) Pre-rift Units: comprises Kella metamorphic rock
predominantly consisting of gneiss; Antalo-Adigrat sedimentary rocks comprising sandstone
marl and shale, and limestone; and Oligocene to late Miocene plateau flood basalt; 2) Syn-
Rift Units: constituting Upper Miocene-Quaternary products of Nazret welded peralkaline
rhyolitic ignimbrite with basic lavas intercalation, Tulu Rie basalt, and Chefe Donsa Baslt;
3) Main Rift Units: it is made up of Quaternary-Holocene young central volcanoes, Zikwal
trachyte with pyroclastic deposits, Bede Gebabe volcano with pumice and lava flows of
rhyolite to trachyte composition, basaltic cinder and spatter cones of Bishoftu Volcanic and
lacustrine deposits.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

1.8. Method and techniques

1.8.1. Desk study and image processing techniques

Acquisition of background geological information and relevant data of the previous

prospects, beign with a literature study and review of open file materials available in the
archives of the Geological Survey of Ethiopa. Landsat ETM+ data analysis, processing and
prediction of ore potential areas were carried out with ERDAS IMAGINE 9.2. Similarly
mapping, geographic analysis, data editing and compilation were carried out with ArcGIS 9.2
software package.

1.8.2. Surface geological mapping methods

Geological mapping was done on the interpretation of satellite imegery. The interpreted
structural trends, lithological boundaries and major litho-types are transferred from satellite
images to the digital topographic base map at a scale of 1:250,000. These features have been
re-checked and confirmed, with a partial or complete modification, during geotraverses.
Surface mapping and geological observations were taken, on predefined geotraverses, mostly
perpendicular to the main regional direction of the rock at a spacing interval of 5000 meters.
Normally, mapping was conducted at a scale of 1:250,000 using a 1:50,000 scale topographic
map based on the UTM grid. Hand held global positioning system were also used for
navigation providing coordinates of locations to better than ± 30 meters.

1.8.3. Geochemical sampling

Various geochemical sample media (Table 1) were collected for different purpose and
samples were mostly taken by following a common instruction for sampling. The various
sample media include: rock, stream sediment and heavy mineral concentrate samples.

Stream sediment sampling

Stream sediments, weighing approximately 200-250 grams, were collected from the central
part of active stream sediment channel at a sampling density of roughly 1sample/10 km2.
Each sample was taken usually from the third and rarely from the fourth-order streams. Fine
fraction of stream sediment was taken with a hand by taking a number of sub-samples over

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

20-30 meters and at depth of 10-15 centimeters to avoid excessive iron and manganese oxide.
All collected samples are labeled using sequential numbering methods (e.g. AKD-0001) and
held in a plastic sample bags and consequently arranged in order and packed to be shipped to
the laboratory.

Heavy mineral concentrate sampling

Heavy mineral concentrate samples, weighing approximately 10 kg were collected from one
or several heavy mineral traps along stream bed channels for each alteration zone delineated
by remote sensing methods. Each sample, comprising gravel or coarse sand materials was
panned with a wooden batêa to obtain at least 20-50 grams of semi concentrates. All panned
samples are placed in a plastic sample bags and allowed to air drying in the base camp. They
are labeled using sequential numbering methods (e.g. AKH-0001) and consequently arranged
in order and packed to be shipped to the laboratory.

Rock sampling

These samples were collected for different purposes. These include: i) rock samples to
estimate their elemental concentrations and thereby determine sources for geochemical
anomalies attributable to mineralization; and ii) fresh outcrop samples for thin section studies
to aid field observation and naming of different rock types.

Table 1 Type of samples collected for the pilot test study

No. Sample media Total

1 Stream sediment 15
2 Heavy mineral concentrates 4
3 Chip rock samples 2
4 Representative rock samples 91
5 Areal coverage 18,000
N.B.: 1-4 = amount of samples expressed in number; 5 = area expressed in km2

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

1.8.4. Analytical methods

Four methods of sample preparation were employed to know the elemental concentrations
and mineralogical composition of the various sample media. These methods include:

Atomic absorption spectrometry ( AAS )

The wet stream sediment samples were allowed to air drying prior to shipping to the
analytical laboratory. In the laboratory, the dry samples were sieved to minus 100-mesh
(<190 µm) size fraction. The oversize is discarded and only the fine ones are retained for
analysis. Of the retained samples, about 0.25 grams of stream sediment samples is taken into
a clean and dry 18x180 mm test tube and digested with 1ml perchloric acid and leached with
9 ml 1+9 hydrochloric acid to be analysed for gold. In addition to these, chip quartz vein and
rock samples were also grinded and sieved to minus100-mesh size fraction to be analysed for
Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Au. The lower detection limit of gold is < 0.1 ppm for this
method.

X-ray fluoresence ( XRF)

Partial determination of rock samples for 14 major oxides was accomplished by X-Ray
fluorescence (XRF) methods. A 10 grams material sample was digested in a test tube with a
mixture of 4M HNO3 and 1M HCl.

Heavy mineral separation techniques

Four heavy mineral concentrates are also submitted to the Central Geological Laboratory of
the Geological Survey of Ethiopia to be examined for light and heavy minerals by heavy
mineral separation techniques.

Thinsection study

Fresh outcrops of representative rock samples were also collected to investigate the
mineralogical composition, texture, degree of alteration and variation of features.
Thinsections were prepared at the Central Laboratory of the Geological Survey of Ethiopia
by splitting each specimen with various diamond blades. They are prepared by mounting a

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

small cut and polished sample of rock, using a strong adhesive onto a plate of glass (usually
27x46 mm in size) and then the exposed surface of the rock is gradually ground or 'lapped'
down to 0.03 mm thickness to be examined under a microscope using transmitted light as
well as reflected light.

1.8.5. Quality control

In order to monitor the possible error that comes from sampling and/or analysis of rock and/
or stream sediment samples, lab duplicate analysis were conducted in a batch containing 10
samples

1.8.6. Data processing and presentation

All geological information were scanned and digitized by MapInfo Professional Version 8.1
using Universal Transverse Mercator (Adindan) projection category and UTM Zone 37,
Northern Hemisphere (Adindan) projection member.

All geochemical raw data, received from the laboratory in a hard copy, are held in a
spreadsheet of EXCEL. These raw data with their Universal Transverse Mercator grid values
are saved as tab delimited data file format to be acceptable for MapInfo computer application
program. In order to know the distribution patterns of each element, parametric statistical
procedures coupled with the plot of histograms were utilized. Threshold values are selected
at the break of histogram, or visual inspection of the plot. Besides, pearson correlation
coefficient was also computed to know the paired relationships among a suite of elements.
Point plot geochemical distribution maps of various elements were also prepared using
symbol plots and a composite anomaly map was compiled using the peak anomalous values
of all elements.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

2. REGIONAL GEOLOGIC SETTING

Situated at the contact between western Ethiopian Plateau and western margin of central and
northern Main Ethiopian Rift (MER), the study area (Fig. 3), lies within the central part of
the Ethiopian Volcanic Province. The regional gology, as outlined in Fig. 3, comprises:

The Archean gneiss, variously reffered to as the Alghe Gneiss of the Lower Complex
(Kazmin, 1972, 1975), the Alghe Group of Archean age (Tefera et al., 1996), characterized
by various gneisses (biotite-quartozfeldspathic, quartz-plagioclase-amphibole and quartz-
biotite-plagioclase gneisses), and migmatite with minor metasedimemtary gneiss that are
deformed and metamorphosed to amphibolite facies (e.g., Hunting Geology and Geophysics,
1969; UNDP, 1972; Kazmin, 1972, 1975; Tefera et al., 1996 ).

Proterozoic metavolcano-sediments, named as Tsaliet Group of Upper Proterozoic (Kazmin,

1972, 1975) possess metavolcano-sedimentary and mafic-ultramafic rocks tightly folded,
sheared and metamorphosed to greenschist to lower amphibolite facies (e.g., Hunting
Geology and Geophysics, 1969; UNDP, 1972; Kazmin, 1972, 1975; Tefera et al., 1996).
These low-grade rocks are subdivided into Tulu-Dimtu, Wadera, Mormora and Adola
Groups (Tefera et al., 1996). To the west, it possesses Tulu-Dimtu Group composed of
metabasalt, meta-andesite, greenschist, phyllite, metaconglomerate, quartzite and marble. To
the east and south, it is composed of Early Proterozoic Wadera Group: metasandstone,
quartzite, biotite-muscovite schist; Mormora Group: biotite schist, gneiss, marble, and
graphite schist; and Adola Group: amphibolite, quartzite, and graphitic phyllite.

Mesozoic marine formations are exposed to the southeast and northwest portion of the map
area. To the east and west, the lowest exposed unit consists of Triassic to Middle Jurassic
transgressive sandstone, unconformably deposited on crystalline basement, of Adigrat
Formation, which passes laterally into limestone and shale sediments of Hamanlei Formation
(Oxfordian-Kimmerdigian); marl and shaly limestone of Urandab Formation,
(Kimmerdigian- Tithmiam); limestone of Gabredarre Formation followed by Cretaceous
sandstone, conglomerate and shale of Amba Aradom Formation in ascending order. To the
northwest (near the Abay River) the Mesozoic marine formation comprises from oldest to

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

youngest Triassic to Middle Jurassic transgressive sandstone unconformably deposited on

crystalline basement of Adigrat Formation follwed by Late Jurassic-Middle Jurassic
limestone, shale and gypsum of the Abay Formation; Late Jurassic Limestone of Antalo
Formation and Cretaceous sandstone, conglomerate and shale of Amba Aradom Formation in
ascending order.

Paleogene basic volcanic cover is widespread in the area. To the north of Yerer-Tulu Welel
Volcano Tectonic Lineament, it is largely covered by deeply weathered alkaline and
transitional basaltic flows, often tilted, of Ashangi Formation. This in turn is overlain by
large and conspicuous shield volcanoes (e.g. Mt. Guna, Mt. Choke and Mt. Belaya)
comprising alkaline to transitional basalts with minor trachytes and phonolitic flows. To the
west and east margin of the Main Ethiopian Rift shoulder, it comprises Middle to Late
Oligocene flood basalt with rare basic tuffs of Aiba Basalts; transitional to subalkaline
basalts with minor rhyolite and trachytes of Alajae Formation and Middle Miocene
transitional and alkaline basalts of Tarmaber-Megezez Formation.

To the south of Yerer- Tulu Welel Volcano Tectonic Lineament, it comprises dominantly of
Late Eocene to Late Oligocene Jimma Volcanics comprising rhyolite and trachyte flows and
tuffs with minor basalt in its upper part and flood basalt with minor salic flows in its lower
part; and flood basalts of Makonnen Basalts, directly overlying on the crystalline basement.
To the southwest, it consists of Jimma Basalt and associated silicic rhyolites, locally
interbeded with minor basalt (Davidson, 1983; Tefera et al., 1996).

The Neogene - Recent volcanics, largely exposed along the Main Ethiopian Rift floor proper
with few occurrences on the rift shoulder [Link] the northeast, it comprises mildly alkaline
basalts with subordinate alkaline and peralkaline silicic rhyolite domes and flow and
ignimbrite of the Afar Series of Miocene-Pliocene age. To the southwest, it possesses
ignimbrite, unwelded tuffs, ash flows, rhyolitic flow, domes and trachytes of the Nazret
Series. In the central part of the Main Ethiopian Rift, it comprises alkaline basalts of Mursi
and Bofa Basalts, alkaline basalts and trachyte and trachybasalts of Chilalo Formation.
alkaline basalt and trachyte of Bishoftu Formation often accompanied by ignimbrite, tuff,
pumice, waterlain pyroclastic rocks with rare intercalation of lacustrine sediments of the
Dino Formation separated by alluvial, lacustrine sediments, rhyolite and subordinate basalt,

17
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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

rhyolite volcanic centers, basalt flows spatter cones and hyaloclastites follweed by alluvium
and lacustrine deposits.

Tectonically, it straddles at the contact zone of the Ethiopian Plateau and western margin of
central and northern Main Ethiopian Rift. It is bounded to the north by E-W-trending Yerer-
Tulu-Welel Volcano-tectonic Lineament and holds a transition zone between Ethiopian
plateau and MER forming a remarkable embayment determined by ESE-WNW cross rift
structures: Yerer-Gugu and Guraghe-Chilalo Lineament which have dextrally displaced the
rift margin to the west.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.3 Simplified geological map of central Ethiopia (Modified after Tefera et al., 1996).
Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 19
 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

3. LITHOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA

3.1. Introduction

The geology of Akaki-Beseka Sheet (NC 37-14) can be traced from Precambrian to the
Recent. The main rock types which record the geology of the area are: Precambrian gneiss,
Mesozoic sediments, Paleogene (Late Eocene - Late Oligocene) fissural flood basalts with
minor rhyolite, trachyte and pyroclastic flows, Neogene (Miocene - Pliocene) pyroclatic,
rhyolite and trachytic flows with minor salic flows, and Pleistocene - Holocene basic to felsic
volcanics and phreatomagmatic deposits intercalated with lacustrine and alluvial deposits.

Based on field relationship, lithological variation and published geochronological data of

northern Main Ethiopian Rift (e.g. Abebe et al., 2005 and reference therein) a stratigraphic
framework (Table 2) is erected from the oldest to the youngest. A succinct descriptions of
each litho-types (Enclosure 1), is given below:

3.1.1. Pre-rift units

[Link]. Biotite Gneiss (Pbg)

This unit is found, in the southern part of the map area (Enclosure 1). As mapped by Di Paola
and Berhe (1979), exposure of this unit is found as a small outcrop at the base of Kella horst,
1 kilometer west of Kella town. It has a minimum exposed thickness of 150 meters. It is
unconformably overlain by Adigrat Sandstone and is cut by swarms of quartzo-feldspathic
pegmatites and minor migmatites. Giday (1979) described this unit as altered gneiss with
exposed surface of 100 meters high and 200 meters long. Locally it shows foliation having a
northwest-southeast direction dipping 32o northeast.

[Link]. Adigrat Sandstone (T3ag)

This unit is exposed to the northwest and southern portion of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It is
usually found at the base of Kella horst, just 1 kilometer west of Kella town, and elsewhere
in Serkole river, just 5 kilometer west of Ambo town.

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 20

 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

)
m
Abebe et al., 2005

s(
es
Lithology Description

kn
ic
Th
Age (Ma) Category Lithologic unit
> 0.5 Alluvium: reworked materials of volcanic origin Holocene Alluvial Cover

10 Lacustrine sediments: sand, silt, clay, diatomites, limestone, and beach sand < 0.5 Lacustrine Sediments

Basaltic lava flows: porphyritic to aphyric alkali- and/or olivine basalts

Wonji Basalts
Scoria cones and fallout deposits: reddish or black in color < 1.6

60 Phreatomagmatic deposits: maar deposits intercalated with lacustrine sediments and distal silicic volcanic ashes
200 Pyroclastics and pumice fall deposits: pumice falls with intercalation of fine ash and lacustrine deposits < 0.9
Main Rift Bora Bericha Rhyolites
50 Rhyolitic domes with obsidian lava flows:

Zikwala trachytes: dark gray, porphyritic trachytes with intercalation of pyroclastic material 1.28-0.85 Zikwala Trachytes

5 Phyric basaltic flows: pyroxene and olivine -phyric basalts with microcrysts of plagioclase and opaque minerals 2.9-2.0
Akaki Basalts
Scoria fallouts:

40 Chefe Donsa pyroclastic deposits: unwelded to poorly welded, fine volcanic ash flow and fall deposits 2.54-1.7 Chefe Donsa pyroclastic deposits
Wechacha trachytes: short, thick trachytic lava flows and domes with minor pyroclastic materials 4.6-3.3 Wechacha trachytes
Guder Basalt: aphanitic basalt with coumnar joint ? ?
Gash Megal rhyolites: fine-grained to alkali-feldspar phyric lava flows with interbedded basaltic lava flows <5 Main Rift Gash Megal Rhyolites
50 Rhyolitic and trachytic lava domes: rhyolitic and trachytic quartz, sanidine, anorthoclase-phyric lava domes
700 Welded to partially welded pyroclastic flows: ignimbrite 5.2-2.6 Syn-Rift Nazret Pyroclastic Rocks
150 Welded pyroclastic flows: ignimbrite with minor intercalated basaltic lava flows

60 Addis Ababa basalts: fine grained to olivine phyric alkali basalts, olivine basalt and trachybasalt lava flows 7.5-5 Addis Ababa Basalts
300 Guraghe-Anchar basalts:aphyric to plagioclase and pyroxene phyric basalts intercalated with rhyolitic tuffs 10.6-8.3 Guraghe-Anchar Basalts
Tarmaber-Megezez Formation: transitional alkaline basalt M. Miocene Pre-Rift ?
Makonnen basalts: flood basalt Oligo-Mio. ?

150 Aiba-Alaje basalts: weakly altered, tilted basalt with intercalation of pyroclstic rocks 32-29 Aiba-Alaje Basalts
Jimma upper basalts: rhyolite, trachyte and tuffs with minor basalt [Link] - [Link] ?
Jimma lower basalts: flood basalt with minor salic flows ?
25 Antalo Limestone :yellowish gray fossiliferous Jurassic

Antalo-Adigrat Sedimentary Rocks

30 Shales and marls: interbedded marl and shale
Pre-Rift
150 Adigrat Sandstone:variegated in color, medium to coarse grained, crossbedded and laminated Triassic
Kella Metamorphic Rocks
150 Biotite gneiss: strongly weathered, yellowish, coarse grained often cut by pegmatite veins Precambrian

Table 2 Stratigraphy of the map area

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 21

 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

At Kella and its adjoining areas, it is massive to thickly bedded and cross bedded. This unit is
unconformably underlain by biotite gneiss and shows a gradational contact with the
overlying shale and marl unit. In outcrop, it is fine to medium grained, light gray, brown-
grey to dark-grey in fresh samples to pinkish yellow to reddish brown in weathered ones. It
attains a thickness of 150 meters and form precipitous cliffs. The sedimentary beds are
commonly horizontal, but at places it is inclined to the west with moderate to steep dipping.

To the northwest, exposure of this unit is usually found near Serkole river, just 5 kilometer
west of Ambo town. It is light grey, yellow, or red very often bearing variegated (light
yellow, light brown, purple, greenish grey, yellowish to whitish grey) colour. It is fine to
coarse grained, poorly to well sorted, with rounded to subrounded grains. In places, it is
deeply weatherd and loose in appearance. At the quarry site of Ambo sandstone, with
exposed thickness of 20 meters, intercalated layers of siltstone, mudstone and thin beds of
pebbly sandstone with a thickness of 0.5 to 1 meter is observed. It is grey, brown, or red. Its
grain size is generally fine to medium grained, moderately sorted and of mesukurtic to
leptokurtic type in textural pattern. The sedimentary structure includes cross-stratification
(herring-bone, trough and tabular), lamination, ripple marks were seen at various places.

Megascopically, the main rock forming minerals are quartz, feldspars, and lithic fragments.
Microscpically, it is composed of 45-50 % feldspar (microcline), 25-30 % quartz, 15-20 %
iron oxide, 2-3 % clay minerals and trace amounts of zircon, muscovite, biotite and garnet.
88 % quartz, 2 % microcline, 1.5% plagioclase, 2 % rock fragments, 3% carbonates, 2% Fe-
oxides, 1 % clay minerals, traces of muscovite, amphibole, epidote and zircon (quartz
arenite) The quartz grain is monocrystalline and show weak to strong undulose extinction.
Iron oxide is common as cementing materials. Few thin sections show secodary authigenic
quartz grains as cementing materials. Petrographically, the sandstone is arkose, moderately
sorted, rounded to subrounded submature to immature. Mudstone/claystone interbedded with
fine to medium grained sandstone with a thickness of 0.5 to 1 meter. It is varying in color
from violet to grayish green to green occasionally black. At places, the rock varies between
red to brown, and yellow to grey and white color, massive, mostly thickly bedded, coarse-
medium to fine-grained. Its lower part become conglomeratic, cross-bedding with some
layers of subordinate marls and siltsone massive, at places shows laminations.

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 22

 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

[Link]. Shales and Marls (J2b)

This unit is exposed to the southern portion of the mapped area (Enclosure 1). Shale is a fine
grained clastic sedimentary rock composed of mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals
and tiny (silt-sized) fragments of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. It is featured
by breaks along thin laminae or parallel layering or bedding less than one centimeter in
thickness called fissility. Mudustone has similar composition with shale, but do not show the
fissility.

It is gray in color composed of variable amounts of clay minerals and quartz It is grayish
brown to light gray, massive fine grained rock consisting (Appendix 2) of 45-50% feldspar
(microcline), 25-30% quartz, 15-20% iron oxide 2-3 % clay showing varying degree of
fissility in textural pattern. It attains a thickness of 30 meters.

Marls usually are fine-grained consisting of calcite mixed with silt and clay. The dominant
carbonate mineral calcite, but other carbonates minerals such as aragonite, dolomite and
siderite. Deep sea marls consists of a mixture of clay and skeletons of foraminiferas, plants
(coccoliths and discoasters) is composed of calcite

[Link]. Antalo Limestone (J2t)

Exposure of this unit is found in the southern portion of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It is
usually found sporadically distributed in three distinct places, just west and northeast of Kella
town. Its contact with the lower shale and marl is graditional, marked by planar smooth
surface and mud cracks. It is yellow and grayish yellow color attaining a maximum thickness
of 25 meters. Generally, it is grayish yellow to brownish yellow, thickly bedded to thickly
laminated rock consisting of 30 % detrital quartz, 60-70 % sparry calcite, micrite with minor
amounts of quartz and skeletal grains. Samples of altered rocks are pale green, green to grey
and partially lateritized but still preserving the sedimentary texture. 25-40 % Calcite spar, 0-
7% micrite, 5-10% bioclast, 45-60% oolite, tr-6% .pellet, 0-5% intraclast, quartz, 0-2%
limonite, hematite, 0-7% glauconite, 0-7% dolomite.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

[Link]. Jimma Lower Basalts (E2jl)

This unit, the oldest and most extensive flood basalt, is exposed along the Gibe gorge
(Enclosure 1) area. It usually forms flat lying plateaus, often tilted. For the most part, it is
horizontally stratified. In outcrop, it is dark-grey medium to coarse-grained and partly
weathered. Microscpically, it is composed of. It is composed of 60% plagioclase, 30%
pyroxne, 8% opaques and 2% olivine with intergranular and intersertal textures.

[Link]. Jimma Upper Basalts (E2ju)

This unit is found to the southwest of the map (Enclosure 1) area. Megascopically, it is dark
grey in color, medium to coarse grained. In fresh samples, it is dark grey, hard and compact
in appearance, but reddish brown in weathered ones. Microscpically, it is composed of 50%
plagioclase, 20% pyroxene, 15% opaques and 15% olivine It shows intergranular and
intersertal texture.

[Link]. Aiba-Alaje Basalts (E2aa)

This unit is found in the central, southern and northeastern part of the mapped area
(Enclosure 1). In fresh samples, it is dark grey, hard and compact in appearance, but reddish
brown in weathered ones. It is medium to coarse grained rock composed of plagioclase,
pyroxene, and opaque minerals.

[Link]. Makonnen Basalts (E2mn)

Outcrop of this unit is found in the western and southwestern portion of the map (Enclosure
1) area. It is dark grey in fresh samples and reddish to yellowish brown in weathered ones.
Megascopically, it comprises plagioclase, pyroxene, and opaque minerals.

[Link]. Tarmaber-Megezez Formation (E3tm)

This unit is found in the central west and northern portion of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It is
dark grey in fresh samples, but reddish brown in weathered specimens. It is fine-grained
volcanic rock composed of plagioclase, pyroxene, and opaque minerals

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

[Link]. Guraghe-Anchar Basalts (Ega)

Exposure of this unit is found to southern portion of the map (Enclosure 1)area. It is dark
color fine-grained rock mainly composed (Appendix 2) of plagioclase, pyroxene and
opaques. Generally, it is fresh, compact fine grained rock, but in places, it shows vesicular
cavity filled with or without secondary minerals of zeolite (?) and /or calcite. It shows
aphanitic texture under the microscope.

[Link]. Addis Ababa Basalts (Eaa)

Exposure of this unit is found to northeast and central south of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It
is dark color fine-grained rock mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and opaques.
Generally, it is fresh, compact fine grained rock, but in places, it shows vesicular cavity filled
with or without secondary minerals of zeolite (?) and /or calcite. Microscopically, it is
composed of 60% plagioclase, 30% pyroxne, 8% opaques and 2% olivine with intergranular
and intersertal textures..

3.1.2. Syn-rift units

[Link]. Welded Pyroclastic Flows (Nwp)

Exposure of this unit is found to southeast, central east, and southwestern part of the map
(Enclosure 1) area. It is light to dark-grey in fresh samples and reddish to yellow to pink in
weathered ones. It is fine grainend, densely welded rock containing vitrophyric fiamme and
lithic fragments with associated rhyolitic lava flows interleaved with ash and and unwelded
tuffs. Microscopically, it consists of crystals of 35 % K-feldspar (sanidine), 40% quartz, 20%
plagioclase and 5% hornblend having vitrphyric texture.

[Link]. Welded to Partially Welded Pyroclastic Flows (Npp)

Exposure of this unit is found to southeast, central east, and southwestern part of the map
(Enclosure 1) area. It is light to dark-grey in fresh samples and reddish to yellow to pink in
weathered ones. It is fine grainend, densely welded rock containing vitrophyric fiamme and
lithic fragments with associated rhyolitic lava flows interleaved with ash and and unwelded

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

tuffs. Microscopically, it consists of crystals of 35 % K-feldspar (sanidine), 40% quartz, 20%

plagioclase and 5% hornblend having vitrphyric texture.

[Link]. Rhyolitic and Trachytic Lava Domes (Nrd)

Exposure of this unit is found in the central part of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It is light grey
to pink in color composed of alkali feldspar, quartz and mica. It forms unevenly distributed
small domes and broad-based gentle sloping circular to elliptical hills. Locally, it shows
intercalation of fine ash and unwelded tuffs. Microscopically, it consists of 45 % feldspar
(sanidine), 35% quartz, 20% muscovite with rhyolitic textures

3.1.3. Main-rift units

[Link]. Gash Megal Rhyolites (Ngr)

Exposure of this unit is found in the central part of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It is light grey
to pink in color composed of alkali feldspar, quartz and mica. It forms unevenly distributed
small domes and broad-based gentle sloping circular to elliptical hills. Locally, it shows
intercalation of fine ash and unwelded tuffs. Microscopically, it consists of 45 % feldspar
(sanidine), 35% quartz, 20% muscovite with rhyolitic textures

[Link]. Babich-Guder Basalts (Npb)

Exposure of this unit is found to northwest portion of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It is dark
color fine-grained rock mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and opaques. Generally, it
is fresh, compact fine grained rock, but in places, it shows vesicular cavity filled with or
without secondary minerals of zeolite (?) and /or calcite. Microscopically, it is composed of
60% plagioclase, 30% pyroxne, 8% opaques and 2% olivine with intergranular and intersertal
textures.

[Link]. Wechacha Trachytes (Nwt)

Exposure of this unit is found to the northeast, central north and northwestern portion of the
map (Enclosure 1) area. This unit is composed of trachyte [Nwt (a)] and pyroclastic material
[Nwt (b)].

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

In outcrop, trachyte [Nwt (a)] is coarse-grained, light gray, brown-grey to dark-grey in fresh
samples to pinkish yellow to reddish brown in weathered ones. Megascopically, the main
rock forming minerals are quartz, feldspars, and mica. Microscpically, it is composed of 35%
K-feldspar ( sanidine), 20% plagioclase, 40% quartz and 5% hornblend showing trachytic
texture.

Pyroclastic materials [Nwt (b)] cropping out near and around Wenchi and Dendi lakes,
include the products of Mount Dendi, an isolated elliptical cone having a NE-SW direction.
At the summit of the cone, there are two crater lakes called Wenchi and Dendi with a
diameter of ~ 2 and 1.5 km, respectively. Volcanic activity, possibly of pre-caldera
formation, gave rise to a pile of ignimbrites associated with ash flows, pumice falls and surge
deposits.

[Link]. Chefe Donsa Pyroclastic Deposits (Ncp)

Exposure of this unit is found to central east, and northeastern part of the map (Enclosure 1)
area. It is light to dark-grey in fresh samples and reddish to yellow to pink in weathered
ones. It is fine grainend, poorly welded rock containing vitrophyric fiamme and lithic
fragments with associated rhyolitic lava flows interleaved with ash and and unwelded tuffs.
Microscopically, it consists of crystals of 35 % K-feldspar (sanidine), 40% quartz, 20%
plagioclase and 5% hornblend having vitrphyric texture.

[Link]. Scoria Fallouts (Qts)

Exposure of this unit is found to the northeast portion of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It
usually forms unevenly distributed cinder cones and sometimes broad-based gentle-sloping
circular to elliptical hills. It is dark brown, reddish grey colour, vesicular coarse grained rock
consisting mainly of 60% acicular plagioclase laths, 15% olivine and 35% vesicles.
Generally, it shows vesicular texture under the microscope.

[Link]. Phyric Basaltic Flows (Qtp)

Exposure of this unit is found to central east, and northeastern part of the map (Enclosure 1)
area. It is dark color fine-grained rock mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

opaques. Generally, it is fresh, compact fine grained rock, but in places, it shows vesicular
cavity filled with or without secondary minerals of zeolite (?) and /or calcite. It shows
aphanitic texture under the microscope.

[Link]. Zikwala Trachytes (Qtz)

Exposure of this unit is found near Zikwala Mountain (Enclosure 1). Generally, it dark grey,
moderately porphyritic to coarsely porphyritic with scarec deposits of pyroclastic material.
Microscopically, it comprises crystals of 30% K-feldspar, 15 % sanidine), 15% pyroxene,
15% quartz, 20% and 5% opaques having trachytic to seriated textures.

[Link]. Rhyolitic Domes with Obsidian Lava Flows (Qtr)

Exposure of this unit is found near Debre Zeit and its environs (Enclosure 1). It is light grey
to pink in color composed of alkali feldspar, quartz and mica. It forms unevenly distributed
small domes and broad-based gentle sloping circular to elliptical hills. Locally, it shows
intercalation of fine ash and unwelded tuffs. Microscopically, it consists of 35 % feldspar
(sanidine), 40% quartz, 25% muscovite with rhyolitic textures.

[Link]. Pyroclastics and Pumice fall Deposits (Qtd)

Exposure of this unit is found to central eastern portion of the map (Enclosure 1) area. It is
light to dark-grey in fresh samples and reddish to yellow to pink in weathered ones. It is fine
grainend, poorly welded rock containing vitrophyric fiamme and lithic fragments with
associated rhyolitic lava flows interleaved with pumice, and unwelded tuffs. Microscopically,
it consists of crystals of 35 % K-feldspar (sanidine), 40% quartz, 20% plagioclase and 5%
hornblende having vitrphyric texture.

[Link]. Lacustrine Sediments (Q2us)

Exposure of this unit is found to east and southeast occupying the rift floor of the map
(Enclosure 1) area. It forms flat-lying topography and marshy areas. It consists of loose,
brown to grey colour sand, silt and calcrete.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

[Link]. Phreatomagmatic Deposits (Qup)

Exposure of this unit is found near Debre Zeit area relatively occupying the main rift
depression. It usually accumulates around the maar craters and often found interleaved with
lacustrine sediments and distal silicic volcanic ashes (Abebe et al., 2005).

[Link]. Scoria Cones and Fall-out Deposits (Quc)

Exposure of this unit is found to the central east and central south of the map (Enclosure 1)
areas. It usually forms unevenly distributed cinder cones and sometimes broad-based gentle-
sloping circular to elliptical hills. It is dark brown, reddish grey colour, vesicular coarse
grained rock consisting mainly of 60% acicular plagioclase laths, 15% olivine and 35%
vesicles. Generally, it shows vesicular texture under the microscope.

[Link]. Basaltic Lava Flows (Qub)

Exposure of this unit is found to the central east and central south of the map (Enclosure 1)
area. It is dark color fine-grained rock mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and
opaques. Generally, it is fresh, compact fine grained rock, but in places, it shows vesicular
cavity filled with or without secondary minerals of zeolite (?) and /or calcite.
Microscopically, it consists of 60% acicular plagioclase laths, 15% olivine and 35% vesicles.
It shows aphanitic texture under the microscope.

3.1.4. Quaternary surficial deposits

[Link]. Alluvium (Qus)

Exposure of this unit is found to southeast, east, central north and northwestern part of the
map (Enclosure 1) area. It forms flat-lying topography and marshy areas. It consists of loose,
brown to grey colour sand, silt and clay bearing [Link] clasts include boulders of basalt,
rhyolite and scoria. Besides, thick black, brown and reddish brown soils are not uncommon.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

4. STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY AREA

The structures described here encompass mainly those within the Precambrian gneiss,
Mesozoic sediments and Tertiary volcanic rocks upon which the present study has been
focused. A succinct description of each structure is rendered below:

i) Foliation: the map area is featured by preferred alignment of flaky (biotite, muscovite)
minerals and amphibole (hornblende) crystals and stretching of quartz and feldspars parallel
to the general strike of the rock body. This is well seen in gneiss having a northwest-
southeast direction dipping 32o northeasat (Di Paola and Berhe, 1978).

ii) Faults and fractures: the main striking lineaments of the area are shown by numerous
systems of faults (Fig.4). They are characterized by four distinct sets of linear features
trending in a NE-SW, NW-SE, N-S and rarely E-W directions. In addition to these, several
subordinate jointing and fracturing are not uncommon cutting the different rock-types.

Fig.4 Structural map of Akaki-Beseka arrea.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

5. GEOCHEMISTRY

5.1. General

There are probably very few areas which show apparent mineral occurrences at the exposed
surface of the Earth’s Crust. In this regard, a geochemical approach takes on even a greater
importance in revealing a potentially mineralized area and direct isolation of significant
target areas.

In the case at hand, rock (Appendix 1) and stream sediment (Appendix 2) samples were
analysed, except major oxides determined by XRF method, for seven minor and trace
elements by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Heavy mineral concentrate (Appendix
3) samples, panned in the field were also analysed for total mineralogical composition by
heavy mineral separation techniques.

For the purpose of this work, all geochemical data prefixed with a less than sign of their
elemental determination are taken at half of their reported value to be employed in the actual
data processing.

5.2. Lithogeochemistry

5.2.1. Choice of threshold

For the purpose of threshold estimation, the distribution of assay values of each element were
plotted by histogram (Fig. 5) coupled with the measure of central tendency (median) and
statistical dispersion (median absolute deviation, MAD). The summary statistics (Table 3)
show that all assay values do not confirm to a normal or log normal distribution.
Consequently all data are assessed using a boxplot (Fig. 6) graphical representation. In each
case, threshold values were chosen from the median plus 2 median absolute deviation
(MAD).

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

a) d) 50
50
40
40

Frequency
Freq uency

30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 10 30 50 70 More
Cr (ppm) Cu (ppm)

b) e)
20 15

15 Frequency
10
Frequ ency

10
5
5
0 0
15 30 45 60 More 15 55 95 135 More
Co (ppm) Zn (ppm)

c) f)
20 20
15
Frequency

15
Frequency

10 10
5 5
0 0
10 30 50 70 90 110 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.1 0.25
Ni (ppm) Au (ppm)

Fig.5 Histogram plot of minor and trace element concentrations in rock samples.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Table 3: Summary statistics for the geochemistry of rock samples in Akaki - Beseka area

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Cr 75 0.05 0.05 7 26 28 186 6.95 41.89 21 16

Co 75 7 16 35 36 50 143 19 23 73 25

Ni 75 0.05 11 22 38 53.3 147 18 37.13 58 75

75 21 55
Cu 0.05 0.05 7 20 36 103 6.95 24.9
75 129 70
Zn 0.05 50 79 80 101 263 25 47.7
75 0.06 0.04
Au 0.002 0.015 0.04 0.15 0.1 1.89 0.03 0.341

N.B.: 1= Element; 2= Count; 3=Minimum; 4=First quartile ( q1, 25% ); 5=Median; 6=Mean; 7 Third quartile
(q3, 75% ); 8=Maximum; 9=Median absolutee deviation; 10=Standard deviation; 11=Threshold chosen; and
12= The avrage elemental concentration of the Earth’s crust in ppm

300.00
q1
Min.
250.00
Median
Element concentration (ppm)

200.00 Max.
q3
150.00

100.00

50.00

0.00
Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Au Pb

Fig.6 Tukey boxplot of minor and trace element concentrations in rock samples.

5.2.2. Elemental associations

A matrix of linear correlation coefficients were computed for eleven major oxides and seven
minor and trace elements to test the distribution and inter-relationships of all variables. The
results of this computation show a substantial intra-correlation in some elements and little or
no correlations in others (see Table 4).

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Table 4 Pearson correlation coefficient for minor elements in rock samples

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

5.2.3. Spatial distribution of geochemical data

The regional distribution of six elements in rock samples are presented, based on their
increasing atomic number, in the geochemical map shown in Figs. 7-12. Each elements are
described below.

5.2.3. 1. Chromium (Cr)

The concentration of chromium ranges from 0.05-186 ppm and for 75 samples the average
concentration is 26 ppm. This value is higher than the average elemental concentration of the
earth’s crust containing 16 (Table 3). The threshold value of this element has been chosen at
21 ppm.

Geochemical distributions of chromium with values (< 21 ppm) are found in most part of the
map (Fig. 7) area. This value accounts to the background content of the bedrock geology of
all units. Chromium with values (> 21 ppm) depict two broad and eight single anomalous
areas in the northeast, northwest, southwest, and central west and southern portion of the map
area. To the northwest, southwest and central west, this value accounts for basic volcanic
rocks of Korati, Jimma, and Tarmaber-Megezez Formation and welded to partially welded
pyroclastic flows of Nazret. But, to the northeast and central south of the map area, it is
associated with Adigrat sandstone, basaltic lava flows, and scoria cones and fallout deposits.

High anomalous value of chromium (>21 ppm) shows spatial areal distribution with nickel
(>58 ppm), copper (>21) and gold (>0.0625 ppm).

[Link]. Cobalt (Co)

The concentration of cobalt ranges from 7-143 ppm and for 75 samples the average
concentration is 36 ppm. This value is higher than the average elemental concentration of the
earth’s crust containing 25 (Table 3). The threshold value of this element has been chosen at
73 ppm.

Geochemical distribution of cobalt with values (< 73 ppm) is seen in most parts of the map
(Fig. 8) area. This value accounts to the background contents of all units. Cobalt values (>73

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.7 Symbol map of chromium concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

ppm) identifies two single isolated anomalous points in the northeast and northwest portion
of the map area. To the northwest, this value accounts for sandstone. But, to the northeast, it
is attributable to pyroclastics and pumice fall deposits.

5.2.3. 3. Nickel (Ni)

The concentration of nickel ranges from 0.05-147 ppm and for 75 samples the average
concentration is 38 ppm. This value is less than the average elemental concentration of the
earth’s crust containing 75 (Table 3). The threshold value of this element has been chosen at
58 ppm.

Geochemical distribution of nickel with values (< 58 ppm) depicts background content in
most part of the map (Fig.9) area. This value accounts to the background contents of all units.
Nickel values (> 58 ppm) depict eight anomalous areas. To the northwest and central south,
two broad anomalies that are strictly associated with basic volcanic rocks of Tarmaber-
Megezez Formation, Korati and Jimma Volcanics. While to the northeast, central west and
southwest, it shows six isolated haloes related to lava flows of basltic composition and
Adigrat Sandstone.

High anomalous value of nickel (> 58 ppm) shows spatial areal distribution with chromium
(>21 ppm), copper (>21), zinc (> 129 ppm) and gold (> 0.0625 ppm).

[Link].. Copper (Cu)

The concentration of copper ranges from 0.05-103 ppm and for 75 samples the average
concentration is 20 ppm. This value is less than the average elemental concentration of the
earth’s crust containing 55 ppm (Table 3). The threshold value of this element has been
chosen at 21 ppm.

Geochemical distribution of copper with values (< 21 ppm) depicts background content in
most part of the map (Fig. 10) area. This value accounts to the low background contents of

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.8 Symbol map of cobalt concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.9 Symbol map of nickel concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.10 Symbol map of copper concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 40

 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

of all units. Geochemical distribution of copper with values (> 21 ppm) depicts three broad
and six single anomalous areas in the northeast, northwest, southwest, and central west and
southern portion of the map (Fig. 10) area. To the northwest, southwest and central west, this
value accounts for Korati basalt, Jimma upper basalts, Tarmaber-Megezez Formation and
welded to partially welded pyroclastic flows. But, to the northeast and central south, it is
attributable to basaltic lava flows, scoria cones and fallout deposits, rhyolitic and trachytic
lava domes, and Adigrat Sandstone.

High anomalous value of copper (>21 ppm) shows spatial areal distribution with cobalt (>73
ppm), nickel (>58 ppm), chromium (>21), zinc (>129 ppm) and gold (>0.0625 ppm).

[Link]. Zinc (Zn)

The concentration of zinc ranges from 0.05-263 ppm and for 75 samples the average
concentration is 80 ppm. This value is higher than the average elemental concentration of the
earth’s crust containing 70 ppm (Table 3). The threshold value of this element has been
chosen at 129 ppm.

Geochemical distribution of zinc with values (< 129 ppm) depicts background content in
most part of the map (Fig. 11) area. This value accounts to the low background contents of
all units.

Geochemical distribution of zinc with values (>129 ppm) depicts seven anomalous areas in
the northeast, northwest, southwest, and central west portion of the map (Fig.11) area. To the
northwest, southwest and central west, this value accounts for Korati basalt, Jimma lower
basalts, Tarmaber-Megezez Formation, trachyte and welded to partially welded pyroclastic
flows. But, to the northeast and central south, it is attributable to Zikwala Trachytes and
Chefe Donsa Pyroclastic Deposits

High anomalous value of zinc (>129 ppm) shows spatial areal distribution with cobalt (>73
ppm), nickel (>58 ppm), chromium (>21), zinc (>129 ppm) and gold (>0.0625 ppm).

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.11 Symbol map of zinc concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

[Link]. Gold

The concentration of gold ranges from 0.002- 1.89 ppm and for 75 samples the average
concentration is 0.15 ppm. This value is higher than the average elemental concentration of
the earth’s crust containing 0.04 ppm (Table 3). The threshold value of this element has been
chosen at 0.06 ppm.

Geochemical distribution of gold with values (< 0.06 ppm) depicts background content in
most part of the map (Fig. 12) area. This value accounts to the low background contents of
all units.

Geochemical distribution of gold with values (> 0.06 ppm) depicts three broad and six single
anomalous areas in the northeast, northwest, southwest, and central west and southern
portion of the map (Fig. 12) area. To the northwest, southwest and central west, this value
accounts for Korati basalt, Jimma upper basalts, Wechacha Trachytes Tarmaber-Megezez
Formation Jimma Lower Basalts Jimma Upper Basalts Welded to Partially Welded
Pyroclastic Flows. To the northeast, this value accounts for Zikwala Trachytes Basaltic Lava
Flows Pyroclastics and Pumice fall Deposits Wechacha Trachytes
But, to the south, it is attributable to basaltic lava flows.

High anomalous value of gold (> 0.06 ppm) shows spatial areal distribution with cobalt (>73
ppm), nickel (>58 ppm), chromium (>21), zinc (>129 ppm) and copper (> 21 ppm).

[Link]. Summary

Depending on single element distribution patterns and more than one elemental associations,
five distinict anomalous areas, marked as Aa1, Aa2, Aa3, Aa4 and Aa5 ( Fig. 13), are
delineated and summarized below:

Anomaly area 1 (Aa1): This anomalous area is featured by the association of Au-Zn-Cu (Ni-
Cr-Co) haloes and forms NE-SW trending elliptical anomaly. It is associated with basaltic
lava flows, rhyolitic lava flows, pyroclastics and ash fall deposits and scoria cones and fall-

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

out deposits and phreatomagmatic deposits of Wonji Basalts and close to Debre Zeit-
Volcano-Tectonic Belt.

Anomaly area 2 (Aa2): It is characterized by the close association of Cu-Ni-Cr- Au-Zn

haloes dominantly found in phretomagmatic deposit of basatic and scoria fall deposits and
close to the Butajira-Silti Line.

Anomaly area 3 (Aa3): High values of Cu-Ni-Cr ( Co-Au-Zn) characterize this area. These
associations are strictly related to Adigrat Sandstone, Korati Basalts and trachyte and
pyroclastic deposits.

Anomaly area 4 (Aa4): High value of Au-Zn (Cu-Ni-Cr) haloes characterizes this area. These
associations are found in basalt Tarmaber-Megezez Formation Wechacha Trachytes and
associated pyroclastic deposits and minor rhyolitic associations.

Anomaly area 5 (Aa5): This area is featured by a suite of anomalously high concentration of
Cu-Zn-Au (Ni-Cu). These associations are related to flood basalt of Jimma Basalt.

5.3. Drainage geochemistry of heavy mineral concentrate samples

Four heavy mineral concentrate samples were collected from alluvial gravel layers of
selected streams. The weight percentages of heavy minerals identified in heavy mineral
concentrates are listed in Appendix 6. Minerals identified include Magnetite, ilmenite, and
hematite. Minerals occurring only in trace amonts include limonite, epidote, amphibole,
zircon pyrite, martite and quartz.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.12 Symbol map of gold concentration in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 45

 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig.13 Composite geochemical map of anomalous rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 46

 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

mineral composition volume %

60
50
AKH-GY-070
40
AKH-GY-071
30
AKH-GY-072
20
AKH-EB-0023
10
0

on
e

e
e
e
ite

it e

rtz
it e

e
ol
tit

t it
ot

r it
en

at

rc
on

ua
ne

ib

ar
id

Py
Zi
m

ph
I lm

Ep
m

M
Q
ag

He

Li

Am
m

Heavy minerals

Fig.14 Heavy mineral concentrate distribution of drainage sediments.

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 47

 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

6. DISCUSSIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Geological, structural and geochemical data of the present investigation provide some light
on the tectono-magmatic evolution of Akaki-Beseka area. As noted above, the area of
interest, which straddle at the contact zone of the Ethiopian Plateau and western margin of
central and northern Main Ethiopian Rift (Fig. 3), is composed of gneiss, Mesozoic
sediments, Paleogene (Late Eocene-Late Oligocene) fissural flood basalts with minor
rhyolite, trachyte and pyroclastic flows, Neogene (Miocene-Pliocene) pyroclatic, rhyolite and
trachytic flows with minor salic flows, and Pleistocene-Holocene basic to felsic volcanics
and phreatomagmatic deposits intercalated with lacustrine and alluvial deposits.

The oldest unit, similar and comparable with undifferentiated gneiss of the Lower Complex,
possibly of Archean age (Kazmin, 1972), high-grade metamorphic rocks of various gneisses
and undifferentiated metamorphic basement rock of Proterozoic age (Merla et al., 1973],
high grade metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age ( Di Paola and Berhe, 1979), gneiss of
(Woldegabriel. 1979), biotite and hornblende gneiss of Alghe Group, possibly of Archean
age (Tefera et al., 1996), and Kella metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age (Abebe et al.,
2005), is altered biotite gneiss that crops out at the base of western rift escarpment of the
central Main Ethiopian Rift (Kella Horst). Data from earlier works (e.g. Woldegabriel, 1979),
indicated that this unit is well foliated, locally cut by pegmatite and minor migmatites. The
foliation, defined by aligned phyllosillicates, elongate quartz and feldspars, generally strikes
to the northwest-southeast and dips moderately to the northeast. This NW-SE trend of the
rock and similarly oriented foliation probably suggests the presence of NE-SW
compressional stress.

This unit is unconformably overlain by Adigrat Sandstone (Di Paola and Berhe, 1979; Abebe
et al., 2005) and considered to represent the northern continuation of the Mozambique Belt
(MB) that might probably formed from the destruction of a major Late Proterozoic
ocean and subsequent collision of East and West Gondwanaland (Burke and Dewey,
1972; de Wit and Chewaka, 1981; Shackleton, 1986).

Mesozoic sediments, dominantly consisting of Adigrat sandstone, shale and marl, and Antalo

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Limestone, are usually found to the south, near the base of Kella Horst. Adigrat sandstone is
massive to thickly bedded with cross bedding structures. Elsewhere in the Ambo area, similar
and comparable unit of Adigrat sandstone is also exposed indicating their lateral continuity to
the northwest. Sandstone grades upwards into finely laminated, fiissile and horizontally
stratified black shale interbedded with marl containing clay and skeletons of plants. As the
sea continued to transgress further, limestone was laid indicating an interrupted
sedimentation throughtout.

The origin of Mesozoic depositional history of much of northeast Africa in general and that
of the area of interest in particular is related to the pull apart of Gondwanaland during the
Triassic-Jurassic time. This rifting included intracontinental rift basins known as Ogaden
Basin. As rifting progressed, erosion of the higherland on either side of the Mesozoic basin
produced a variety of sediments that accumulated in fluvial, deltaic and lacustrine
environment. Their deposition is related to the rifting follwed by subsidence of a basin that
form primarily shallow marine basin depositing terrigenous clastics and carbonates deposited
during the transgression of the sea..

The presence of pre-rift rocks of Precambrian gneiss and Mesozoic sediments, comprising a
complete succession of Adigrat Sandstone, shale and marl, and Antalo Limestone, close to
the wetern margin of main Ethiopian Rift (Kella Horst) signify that much of the long lived
pre-Tertiary rocks had been uplifted, before being extensively covered by Paleogene flood
basalt and Neogene pyroclastic flow and rhyolites.

The pre-rift volcanic activity is featured by the eruption of fissural flood (Jimma, Aiba-Alaje,
Makonnen, Tarmaber-Megezez, Guraghe-Anchar, and Addis Ababa) basalts, that can be
associated with the Oligocene to Late Miocene basaltic sequences of the Trap Series ( e.g.
Mohr and Zanettin, 1988 and reference therein). The occurrence of major volcanic activity
prior to rifting suggests that stretching related compressional melting play a mionr role in
their evolution rather upwelling of hot deep mantle material-related to the Afar mantle
plume ( Abebe et al., 2005).

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Upper Miocene-Quaternary products of Nazret pyroclastic rocks of welded to partially

welded pyroclastic flows with rhyolitic and trachytic lava domes marking the onset of rifting
generally less than5.2 Ma. with a maximum activity at ca. 4-3 Ma.( Bonini et al., 2005
Successively the syn rift silicic activity continued with the products comprising Quaternary-
Holocene young central volcanoes of Gash Megal rhyolites and Wechacha trachytes, Chefe
Donsa pyroclastic deposits, scoria fallout and phyric basaltic lava flows of Akaki, Zikwala
trachytes, rhyolitic domes, obsidian lava flow, pyroclastics and pumice fall deposits of
Bora-Bericha.

Bedrock geochemistry over the outcrop of Precambrian gneiss, Mesozoic sediments,

Oligocene-Pleistocene basic to felsic volcanic rocks and Holocene to Recent basic volcanics
and phreatomagmatic deposits in Akaki-Beseka area shows marked differences in the spatial
distribution of the analysed elements. A Close examination of the distribution of both single
and elemental associations reveals five anomalous areas. Each elemental association
represents a certain distribution pattern that is envisaged on the composite map (Fig. 13) and
has an underlying meaning that can be interpreted in terms of certain type of mineralization.
The five distinct elemental association and expected mineralization are:

Anomaly area 1 (Aa1): This anomalous area is featured by the association of Au-Zn-Cu (Ni-
Cr-Co) haloes and forms NE-SW trending elliptical anomaly. It is associated with basaltic
lava flows, rhyolitic lava flows, pyroclastics and ash fall deposits and scoria cones and fall-
out deposits and phreatomagmatic deposits of Wonji Basalts and close to Debre Zeit-
Volcano-Tectonic Belt. Anomalous values of gold, zinc and copper may represent gold-zinc
and copper bearing hydrothermal veins deposit spatially related to Debre Zeit-Volcano-
Tectonic Belt. Nickel, chromium and copper values might probably represent chalcophile
elements related to basic volcanic rocks.

Anomaly area 2 (Aa2): It is characterized by the close association of Cu-Ni-Cr-Au-Zn haloes

dominantly found in phretomagmatic deposit of basatic and scoria fall deposits and close to
the Butajira-Silti Line. This association may reflect unique lithology of the area and possible
hydrothermal deposit. For instance, copper, nickel and chromium high values may indicate
the presence of basic rocks, while zinc and gold may be related to the presence of precious

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

and base meta-bearing veins of hydrothermal input spatially associated with phrea-
tomagmatic depostts.

Anomaly area 3 (Aa3): High values of Cu-Ni-Cr (Co-Au-Zn) characterize this area. These
associations are strictly related to Adigrat Sandstone , Babich-Guder Basalts and trachyte
and pyroclastic deposits. Such an association might probably reflects the presence of gold
and base metal mineralizations related to hydrothermal vein deposits.

Anomaly area 4 (Aa4): High value of Au-Zn (Cu-Ni-Cr) haloes characterizes this area. These
associations are found in basic volcanic rocks of Tarmaber-Megezez Formation, trachytes
and associated pyroclastic and minor rhyolitic associations. These anomalous associations
may represent rhyolite and pyroclastic related mineralization; and

Anomaly area 5 (Aa5): This area is featured by a suite of anomalously high concentration of
Cu-Zn-Au (Ni-Cu). These associations are related to flood basalt of Jimma Basalt. These
may indicate the presence chalcophile elements related to basic volcanic rocks

Structurally, the area of interest, straddle at the contact zone of the Ethiopian Plateau and
western margin of central and northern Main Ethiopian Rift. It is featured by NE to NNE-
trending and N to NNE- trending normal faults and several lineaments. It is also
characterized by Quaternary volcano-tectonic alignments that run close to the western rift
escarpment called Butajira-Silti Line (Di Paola and Berhe, 1979) and Bishoftu Volcano-
Tectonic Belt (Mazzarini et al., 1999).

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

7. GEOLOGIC HISTORY

The geologic history of the Akaki-Beseka area can be traced from Precambrian to Recent.

The oldest recorded rock in the area of interest is marked by the formation of biotite gneiss,
exposed as a small outcrop at the base of western rift escarpment of central Main Ethiopian
Rift (Kella Horst), presumably assumed to be part and parcel of Pre-Pan African rocks that
might probably formed from the destruction of a major Late Proterozoic ocean and
subsequent collision of East and West Gondwanaland. This is followed by a long period of
peneplanation in the Paleozoic, with the Precambrian orogenic mountain ranges almost
completely worn down by denudation.

During the Mesozoic Era, the Ethiopian and Somalian Plateau including the area of interest,
was marked by the development of NW-SE striking structural basins that run from Somalia
(Ogaden Basin) as far as the southwestern margin of Abay River. During this time, shallow
marine sedimentary sequences, namely terrigenous clastics and carbonates (e.g. Adigrat
Sandstone, shale and marl and Antalo Limestone) were laid down by the transgression of the
Indian Ocean migrating from southeast Ethiopia. In Late Jurassic, domal uplifting took place
over much of Ethiopian and Somalian Plateau, including the area of interest. This event has
brought the Kella Horst-comprising Precambrian gneiss and Mesozoic sediments-to hold the
present topographic surface before the onset of Trappean volcanic activity and Main
Ethiopian Rift (MER) System.

Cenozoic volcanism is characterized by fissural eruption of Late Eocene-Late Oligocene

flood basalt of Jimma Volcanics comprising minor salic flows at the base and rhyolite,
trachyte and tuffs with minor basalts in its upper part. This is followed by the eruption of
Aiba-Alaje basalts (32-29 Ma) and Makonnen flood basalt of Oligocene-Miocene age. This
fissural eruption is accompanied by less voluminous volcanic activity that form a shield
volcanoes developed from 30 Ma to about 10 Ma on the surface of the volcanic plateau (e.g.,
Tarmaber Megezez Formation: transitional alkaline basalt). This volcanic event was followed
by minor local volcanic activity such as basalts intercalated with rhyolitic tuffs (Guraghe-
Anchar Basalts) with ages ranging between 10.6-8.3 Ma. and some basaltic olivine phyric

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

alkali basalts, olivine basalt and trachybasalt lava flows characterizing Addis Ababa basalts.

Superimposed on the Ethiopian and Somalian Plateau, domal uplift, crustal thinning and
rifting started to develop in lower Miocene. This is marked by voluminous eruption of acidic
volcanic rocks of Nazret Pyroclastic rocks with ages ranging between 5.2–2.6 Ma. Probably
in Late Miocene, The Kella Horst is lowered by normal fault related to the progressive
widening of the rift.

Upper Miocene to Pleistocene is featured by bimodal volcanics of acidic to intermediate

silicic rock with minor basaltic eruptions. This includes Gash Megal Rhyolite featured by
lava flows of rhyolite with interbedded basalitic flows of less than 5 Ma; trachyctic lava
flows and domes with minor pyroclastic rocks of Wechecha trachyte (4.6-3.3 Ma); unwelded
to poorly welded ash flow fall deposit of Chefe Donsa Pyroclastic Rocks (2.54 – 1.7 Ma);
scoria fallout deposits of Akaki Basalt between (2.9 -2 Ma); porphyritic trachytes with
intercalation of pyroclastic rocks of Zikwala trachyte between 1.28-0.85 Ma. This is followed
by a marked hiatus in any volcanic activity often accompanied by lacustrine deposits with
age having less than 0.5 Ma.

Quaternary volcanic activity was concentrated along the axis of secondary main Ethiopian
Rift of Butajira-Silti Line (Di Paola and Berhe, 1972) and Bishoftu Volcano-Tectonic Belt
(Mazzioli et al., 1999) featured by the eruption of acidic eruption of Bora Bericha rhyolite
and Basaltic lava flows, scoria cones fall deposit with phreatomagmatic deposits of Wonji
basalt with minor intercalation of lacustrine sediments and distal silicic volcanic ashes of less
than 1.6 Ma.

The final stage is featured by erosion, which is thought to modify the original topography
producing the present day landscape together with sparse alluvial sediments.

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

8. NATURAL RESOURCE OF THE STUDY AREA

The natural resources (Fig. 13) of Akaki-Beseka area include: i) iron and ferro-alloy metals,
ii) ceramic and refractory minerals, iii) mineral water, and iv) building raw materials and
industrial rocks and minerals, and v) precious and base metal mineralization. Each is briefly
described below.

Iron and ferro-alloy metals:

Occurrence of iron and ferro-alloy metals comprising mainly of Fe, Mn and Ti are found in
the northeastern portion of the map area (e.g. Solomon et al., 2000).

Ceramic and refractory minerals:

Ceramic and refractory minerals are represented by clay/bentonie. Clay is observed at Bole,
Ambo, Akaki and Debre Ziet areas (e.g. Jelenc, 1966; Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000;
Solomon et al., 2000). Clay is developed on the weathered basalt.

Mineral water:

As reported by Cherenet, 1985, several thermal and cold springs are found at Ambo, Butajira,
Weliso and southwest of Welkite. Most of this water is used for therapitic

Building raw materials and industrial rocks and minerals:

Building raw materials and industrial rocks and minerals in the area is represented by basalt,
rhyolite, ignimbrite, scoria, sandstone, limestone and salt (e.g. Karstadet, 1985; Mengestu
and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et al., 2000). Such occurrences are found at Ambo, Dukem,
Akaki, and Debre Ziet areas.

Basalt, rhyolite, ignimbrite and scoria are the most notable raw materials used for building
houses and road construction. According to Karstadet et al., 1988, limestone, located at Kella
Horst, is characterized by high content of calcium carbonate (Ca CO3) and less content of
silica (SiO2), MgO2, Fe2O3; (Karstadet, et al., 1988). It has an aggregate deposit of 500,000
tons limestone that is suitable for the production of caustic soda. Sandstone is also used for
local housing and fencing

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Salt / soda ash /is reported by (e.g. Jelenc, 1966; Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et
al., 2000) at Lake Ziway that have a tremendous application in ceramic industries.

Precious and base metal mineralization:

Precious and base metal mineralization associated with Tertiary volcanic rocks. As
manifested by geochemical associations, they are grouped into five distinct favorable areas:1)
Anomalous area (A1): Au-Zn-Cu (Ni-Cr-Co); 2) Anomalous area (A2): Co-Ni-Cr-Au-Zn;
Anomalous area (A3): Cu-Ni-Cr (Co-Au-Zn) Anomalous area (A4): Au-Zn(Cu-Ni-Cr); and
Anomalous area (A5): Cu-Zn-Au ( Ni-Cr) (A5).

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 Geology of the Akaki-Beseka area

Fig. 15 Mineral resource map of Akaki - Beseka area.

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 56

 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

9. CONCLUSIONS AND FURTHER RESEARCH

9.1 Conclusions

This study utilized a combination of geological, geochemical, and remote sensing and GIS
techniques (except airborne geophysics) to learn more about the designed process whilst
understanding the geology and mineral potential of the area under investigation.. Such
combinations of different independent methods proved to enhance the possibility of
selecting favourable areas for further studies. The combinations also proved to provide
geoscience information of to the client of one place at a time. Accordingly, the following
points are drawn:

The use of integrated geological, geochemical, and remote sensing and GIS techniques
(except airborne geophysics) to analyze and present the result has proved to be of great
geological value and also to be an important tool for interpretation. The experiences
obtained from this pilot test study led to a recommended concept of combined geophysical
and geochemical prospecting methods. Accordingly, the following points are drawn:

The geology of the area comprises: 1) Pre-Rift Units: constituting high grade
metamorphic rock ( biotite gneiss); Mesozoic sedimentary rocks comprising Adigrat
Sandstone, shales and marls, and Antalo-Limestone; and Oligocene to Late Miocene
plateau flood (Jimma, Aiba-Alaje, Makonnen, Tarmaber-Megezez, Guraghe-Anchar, and
Addis Ababa) basalts; 2) Syn-Rift Units: constituting Upper Miocene-Quaternary products
of Nazret pyroclastic rocks of welded to partially welded pyroclastic flows with rhyolitic
and trachytic lava domes; 3 ) Main Rift Units: comprising Quaternary-Holocene young
central volcanoes of Gash Megal rhyolites and Wechacha trachytes, Chefe Donsa
pyroclastic deposits, scoria fallout and phyric basaltic lava flows of Akaki, Zikwala
trachytes, rhyolitic domes, obsidian lava flow, pyroclastics and pumice fall deposits of
Bora-Bericha, lacustrine sediments, and phreatomagmatic, scoria cones and fallout deposits
of Wonji basalts; and 4) Quaternary alluvial deposits.

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 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

This suitable geological setting displays the presence of 1) iron and ferro-alloy metals: Fe,
Mn and Ti (e.g. Solomon et al., 2000)); 2) ceramic and refractory minerals: clay/bentonite
(e.g. Jelenc, 1966; Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et al., 2000), salt: soda ash (e.g.
Jelenc, 1966; Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et al., 2000 ); 3) Mineral water:
thermal and cold springs ( Cherenet, 1985 ); 4) Building raw materials and industrial rocks
and minerals: limestone, basalt, rhyolite, ignimbrite, scoria (e.g. Karstadet et al., 1988;
Mengestu and Fentaw, 2000; Solomon et al., 2000); and 5) Precious and base metal
mineralization (this work)

The distribution and geochemical association of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Au in minus 100-
mesh grain-size fraction of rock samples from bed rock geology of Akaki Beseka area
clearly demarcate five geochemically favourable anomalous areas that point to the
presence of unrealized precious and base metal mineralizations. Comparison of the
elemental concentrations of rock samples with the average abundance of minor and trace
elements of the Earth’s crust show that the rocks studied are lower in Cr, Co and Zn
content and higher in Ni, Cu and Au.

Field results of panned heavy mineral concentrates, with no observable gold grains, has
shown the presence of magnetite, ilmenite, and hematite with trace amonts of limonite,
epidote, amphibole, zircon pyrite, martite and quartz. This finding may testify to the
presence of basic volcanic rock enriched in magnetite, ilmenite and hematite.

Structurally, the area of interest, straddle at the contact zone of the Ethiopian Plateau and
western margin of central and northern Main Ethiopian Rift. It is featured by NE to NNE-
trending and N to NNE-trending normal faults and several lineaments. It is also
characterized by Quaternary volcano-tectonic alignments that run close to the western rift
escarpment called Butajira-Silti Line (Di Paola and Berhe, 1979) and Bishoftu Volcano-
Tectonic Belt (Mazzarini et al., 1999)

As the primary aim of this study is to identify significant anomalies associated to specific
geological environments, which hold exploration potential for varied mineral resources.
The following geochemical signatures associated with Tertiary volcanic rocks include:

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 58

 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Au-Zn-Cu (Ni-Cr-Co) (A1); Co-Ni-Cr-Au-Zn (A2); Cu-Ni-Cr (Co-Au-Zn) (A3); Au-Zn

(Cu-Ni-Cr) (A4); and Cu-Zn-Au (Ni-Cr) (A5).

9.2. Further research

Based on the present geological and geochemical knowledge, and ease of access, it is
recommended to undertake follow-up geological and geochemical investigation in areas of
positive gold showing areas giving priority to anomalous areas, demarcated as promising
positive gold area 1 (A1), area 2 (A2), area 4 (A4), area 5 (A5), area 6 (A6) and area 7
(A7) (see Appendix 7) at a scale of 1: 25,000.

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 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Ato Tadesse Alemu, Process Owner of Basic
Beoscience Mapping Business Process, for his generous help and active participation in the
fieldwork. I would also to extend my bottomless thanks to Dr. Bedru Hussien, former
Process Owner of Basic Beoscience Mapping Business Process, for his generous help and
support to accomplish this pilot test successfully.

I would like also to extend my appreciation and bottom heart felt thanks to members of the
implementation team for their teamwork efforts and valuable inputs both in the field and at
the office. Many thanks are due to staffs of geochemical and gold analyst group, from the
Central Geological Laboratory of the Geological Survey of Ethiopia, for their help in the
analyses of all geochemical samples. My sincere thanks goes to the staffs of thin section
preparation group, from the Central Geological Laboratory of the Geological Survey of
Ethiopia, for their help in the preparation of several thin sections for this project.

Last, but not least, my sincere and bottom heart-felt thanks goes to all drivers who gave us
their unreserved cooperation and constant daily drive in the field.

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 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

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Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 64

 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

APPENDICES

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 65

 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

= Traverse line AKR-AA-124 = Observation point site

Appendix 1 Geotraverse route and observation point site location map

66
Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia
 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

AKR-AA-153 = sample site location

Appendix 2 Sample site location map

67
Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia
 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Appendix 3. AAS analyses of minor and trace element raw data (except major oxides determined by XRF method) in rock samples of Akaki-Beseka area.
* indicate not determined values; Major- oxides expressed in wt. %; Minor and trace elements are expressed in ppm;
Easting and northing expressed in meters.

Field no. Easting Northing SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO Na2O K2 O TiO2 P2O5 MnO SO3 LOI Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Au Pb
AKR-EB-0001 371880 994383 97.77 1.04 0.24 0.005 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.0562 0.005 0.005 0.01 0.91 0.005 143 0.005 15 7 0.002 0.05
AKR-EB-0002 370433 994620 95.22 2.61 0.54 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.01 0.2654 0.044 0.005 0.02 0.84 0.005 61 0.005 0.1 0.005 0.02 0.05
AKR-EB-0003 370094 994440 86.50 10.96 1.26 0.010 0.15 0.07 0.55 0.0506 0.031 0.0290 0.01 0.05 10 33 0.005 7 18 0.002 0.05
AKR-EB-0003a 370094 994440 75.12 18.38 2.05 0.020 1.16 0.09 1.28 0.1020 0.102 0.0112 0.04 0.05 18 8 15 11 27 0.002 0.05
AKR-EB-0004 368159 994761 59.19 15.73 3.02 15.54 2.76 1.53 1.15 0.5000 0.107 0.1760 0.02 0.10 22 25 7 3 31 0.002 0.05
AKR-EB-0005 368086 994544 46.33 17.10 11.50 10.32 5.48 3.74 0.30 3.5000 1.09 0.1414 0.02 0.02 130 59 108 50 78 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0006 362458 981354 48.85 18.53 11.10 9.78 4.38 3.29 0.33 2.3100 0.929 0.2768 0,01 0.005 55 55 65 36 77 0.14 0.05
AKR-EB-0007 340329 970921 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0008 362563 992080 45.11 15.70 14.00 7.70 3.58 5.05 0.87 4.8300 2.182 0.1976 0.17 0.02 3 9 0.05 0.05 54 0.02 0.05
AKR-EB-0008a 362563 992080 47.14 14.98 13.43 11.45 4.59 1.13 0.36 4.4903 1.015 0.1802 0.25 0.09 16 50 33 173 113 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0008b 362563 992080 45.43 13.13 14.27 9.89 6.36 4.01 0.22 4.5679 0.732 0.1794 0.07 0.02 37 59 54 197 113 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0009 349181 992638 46.74 14.67 12.15 9.47 7.78 1.74 0.37 4.5663 1.156 0.1800 0.03 0.08 43 46 59 81 102 0.03 0.05
AKR-EB-0010 346453 992888 43.38 15.50 13.80 9.36 6.15 4.25 0.29 4.9568 1.282 0.2058 0.07 0.08 9 46 13 26 137 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0011 368980 923694 69.55 13.88 8.49 0.37 0.46 1.85 2.52 0.9020 0.141 0.3408 0.03 0.09 3 16 0.05 4 117 0.002 0.05
AKR-EB-0012 366862 923494 53.06 16.73 10.08 5.36 5.17 3.73 0.94 2.5998 1.049 0.2220 0.01 0.04 48 35 29 37 92 0.06 0.05
AKR-EB-0013 365784 919282 69.25 14.54 6.69 0.31 0.61 3.12 2.79 1.1531 0.202 0.1986 0.06 0.07 0.05 14 7 5 85 0.002 0.05
AKR-EB-0014 344723 920552 48.31 17.00 13.06 9.08 4.21 3.92 0.17 2.8527 0.372 0.1955 0.04 0.005 3 49 47 85 99 0.03 0.05
AKR-EB-0015 364270 915401 75.88 13.63 2.94 0.02 0.09 3.82 2.07 0.4313 0.0005 0.1030 0.01 0.08 0.05 9 0.05 0.05 27 0.002 0.05
AKR-EB-0016 375055 929097 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0017 348410 912423 51.85 14.36 12.96 7.06 2.98 4.40 0,80 3.3378 1.01 0.1861 0.20 0.09 1 46 80 25 95 0.03 0.05
AKR-EB-0018 341944 905443 55.13 14.42 14.39 2.07 6.48 0.82 0.47 4.3040 0.78 0.2420 0.04 0.17 21 47 34 33 149 0.04 0.05
AKR-EB-0018a 341944 905443 52.02 14.76 11.02 7.10 3.26 4.62 0.74 4.1389 0.94 0.1786 0.06 0.03 12 40 25 34 129 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0019 343204 903899 52.27 14.62 13.09 7.16 3.89 3.69 0.53 3.2883 0.37 0.1739 0.07 0.005 4 56 63 103 91 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0020 335400 899304 51.89 15.01 11.89 6.76 3.20 4.90 0.65 3.5874 1.03 0.1723 0.07 0.87 18 38 19 37 124 0.15 0.05
AKR-EB-0021 342311 902946 63.38 16.84 4.35 0.18 0.15 7.75 5.69 0.2532 0.04 0.1318 0.01 1.35 13 9 4 2 73 1.06 0.05
AKR-EB-0022 391741 899907 72.28 14.89 4.20 0.03 0.09 1.71 1.05 0.5187 0.01 0.0835 0.02 4.56 9 37 6 1 153 0.15 0.05
AKR-EB-0023 393438 898690 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0023a 393438 898690 58.89 12.02 15.22 0.03 0.12 2.17 2.06 0.57 0.0005 0.1157 0.005 5.48 5 16 16 3 77 0.03 0.05
AKR-EB-0024 393402 898569 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0025 397771 898045 75.38 18.48 4.62 0.01 <0.01 0.03 0.01 0.3720 <0.001 0.0266 0.02 <0.01 9 9 17 2 41 0.07 0.05
AKR-EB-0026 413215 897192 75.37 12.92 3.07 0.01 0.03 3.23 3.98 0.3639 0.013 0.0667 <0.01 1.99 9 18 3 3 57 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0027 422806 892389 76.71 12.12 3.54 0.01 0.05 3.86 2.38 0.3308 <0.001 0.0324 0.01 2.51 4 10 14 <0.1 44 0.03 0.05
AKR-EB-0027a 422806 892389 76.97 12.15 3.54 0.01 0.05 3.86 2.38 0.3315 <0.001 0.0325 0.01 2.45
AKR-EB-0028 421410 891163 75.57 11.86 2.52 0.01 0.06 4.51 4.31 0.2048 <0.001 0.0419 <0.01 5.48 4 9 19 1 79 0.02 10
AKR-EB-0029 420273 891155 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0030 418282 891034 52.78 14.70 12.77 6.98 2.64 4.08 0.29 3.8662 0.623 0.1617 0.01 2.51 1 40 17 25 128 0.02 0.05
AKR-EB-0030a 418282 891034 62.5 19.38 9.14 0.90 3.45 0.50 0.08 2.3521 0.272 0.1663 0.02 <0.01 12 75 28 18 150 0.01 0.05
AKR-EB-0031 417354 890650 68.33 12.51 2.65 0.01 0.04 3.28 1.89 0.2383 <0.01 0.0717 <0.01 10.71 1 16 16 <0.1 58 0.01 20
AKR-EB-0032 423574 885361 70.88 10.26 6.74 0.03 0.30 5.90 3.94 0.7308 0.041 0.2131 0.02 1.21 <0.1 19 10 <0.1 81 0.01 10

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 68

 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Appendix 3 -Continued

Field no. Easting Northing SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO Na2O K2 O TiO2 P2O5 MnO SO3 LOI Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Au Pb
AKR-EB-0033 443440 913343 96.01 2.52 0.31 0.01 0.06 0.07 0.01 0.1736 0.024 <0.001 0.02 0.92 <0.1 66 21 7 5 0.01 10
AKR-EB-0034 441886 911645 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0035 442984 914796 50.84 14.47 12.33 6.85 2.82 4.390 0.68 4.5365 1.632 0.1426 0.01 2.60 26 29 24 34 121 0.02 <0.1
AKR-EB-0036 442695 913740 4.09 1.37 1.28 36.31 2.38 0.030 <0.01 0.0901 0.072 0.1391 0.05 38.79 22 33 22 6 30 0.02 <0.1
AKR-EB-0036a 442695 913740 19.52 2.32 5.04 30.97 2.46 0.050 0.02 0.2218 0.045 0.0872 0.05 37.16 17 26 21 10 20 0.01 <0.1
AKR-EB-0036b 442695 913740 11.03 3.57 1.93 27.76 3.97 0.020 0.04 0.2669 0.042 0.0854 0.05 34.76 30 25 37 7 45 <0.004 <0.1
AKR-EB-0037 441736 915014 76.88 12.48 3.87 0.02 0.14 2.990 2.20 0.3984 0.010 0.1092 0.01 2.43 <0.1 14 53 <0.1 28 0.01 10
AKR-EB-0038 441289 914974 60.38 10.77 15.26 0.02 0.13 2.610 2.35 0.7679 <0.001 0.1922 <0.01 2.80 <0.1 10 46 <0.1 50 <0.004 20
AKR-EB-0039 443247 913056 78.99 11.66 0.23 0.09 0.03 3.230 4.93 0.0210 0.024 0.0160 0.01 0.52 <0.1 47 19 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 20
AKR-EB-0040 442953 913136 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0041 431056 896721 47.56 16.72 10.93 8.9 6.41 3.900 0.24 3.3982 0.728 0.1543 0.03 0.06 162 58.13 44 44 84 0.13 <0.1
AKR-EB-0042 431599 895405 46.88 16.54 11.42 9.03 7.29 3.610 0.20 3.4371 0.539 0.1559 0.03 0.28 30 43 138 24 41 0.05 10
AKR-EB-0043 429118 891289 48.17 16.34 10.69 8.94 7.18 3.660 0.22 3.2228 0.526 0.1581 0.03 0.1 168 55 147 52 53 0.08 <0.1
AKR-EB-0044 425106 885862 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0045 457509 887678 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0046 457193 890183 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-EB-0047 481133 946171 68.27 12.24 6.62 0.05 0.14 6.360 4.27 0.7318 0.047 0.3010 0.01 1.34 <0.1 15 13 2 169 0.11 20
AKR-EB-0048 484086 948681 66.88 14.14 5.17 0.18 0.14 6.810 4.59 0.5292 0.052 0.1771 0.03 0.27 <0.1 13 10 <0.1 121 0.03 20
AKR-EB-0049 484762 952774 46.25 16.4 10.73 10.38 5.23 3.930 0.55 3.2004 0.036 0.1551 0.02 2.01 55 50 113 48 92 0.05 <0.1
AKR-EB-0050 486583 954714 47.48 18.04 12.72 8.11 4.07 4.030 0.33 3.5690 0.899 0.1804 0.04 0.23 15 43 27 36 47 0.09 <0.1
AKR-TA-0151 488397 959340 66.32 11.69 6.47 0.32 1.43 3.770 4.51 0.9292 0.615 0.1347 0.11 3.39 15 32 33 14 90 0.08 <0.1
AKR-TA-0151a 488397 959340 68.76 10.8 4.16 0.09 0.42 1.660 6.32 0.2992 0.082 0.1477 0.03 6.53 <0.1 8 25 2 15 0.05 10
AKR-TA-0152 488248 960190 69.07 12.93 5.22 0,07 0.08 6.460 4.62 0.4760 0.010 0.1642 0.01 0.87 <0.1 11 45 <0.1 116 0.04 20
AKR-TA-0153 495836 965935 50.16 17.13 10.5 8.23 5.38 3.870 0.38 2.6482 0.614 0.1590 0.03 0.04 67 52 92 15 63 0.27 <0.1
AKR-TA-0154 492772 974638 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-TA-0155 494220 977223 65.30 16.58 5.70 0.28 0.26 5.17 4.14 1.0858 0.151 0.0753 0.03 2.65 <0.1 14 36 2 138 0.03 <0.1
AKR-TA-0156 495170 977304 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-TA-0157 490041 960932 69.70 10.21 4.23 0.05 0.03 3.470 5.50 0.2935 <0.001 0.1186 0.02 5.42 <0.1 97 23 <0.1 18 0.05 10
AKR-TA-0158 494512 925187 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-TA-0159 494790 951974 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-TA-0160 489060 945506 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-TA-0161 489524 942497 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TB-051 381559 991544 47.60 17.44 10.15 9.84 5.53 4.08 0.55 2.7744 1.001 0.1446 0.02 0.64 84 59 84 58 82 0.05 <0.1
TB-052 386552 992182 49.09 17.62 10.40 8.62 4.05 4.60 0.41 3.1874 1.034 0.1640 0.01 0.91 76 55 43 26 96 <0.004 <0.1
TB-053 386378 992041 47.64 16.79 10.36 10.03 6.96 3.01 0.37 2.8328 0.974 0.1622 0.02 1.99 89 51 99 56 88 0.1 <0.1
TB-054 389775 992152 48.85 16.58 9.93 9.37 4.39 4.17 0.35 2.6806 0.599 0.1555 0.01 0.81 38 56 72 39 79 1.89 <0.1
TB-055 392636 992544 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TB-056 397615 994806 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TB-057 401849 986260 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TB-058 388872 946275 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TB-059 391558 950060 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 69

 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Appendix 3 -Continued

Field no. Easting Northing SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO Na2O K2 O TiO2 P2O5 MnO SO3 LOI Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Au Pb
GY-60 396054 953996 68.58 10.61 8.15 0.02 <0.01 3.70 3.71 0.4363 <0.001 0.2254 <0.01 3.41 5 23 16 4 263 0.83 70
GY-61 403626 955114 67.34 11.89 6.45 0.06 0.28 4.90 4.41 0.5546 0.013 0.1494 0.01 3.41 <0.1 7 19 <0.1 190 0.13 <0.1
GY-62 412757 958926 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-63 412731 959818 53.52 17.03 9.51 4.88 1.61 5.00 0.64 2.8974 1.685 0.1085 <0.01 2.85 5 26 21 8 104 0.22 <0.1
GY-64 410518 961938 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-65 405503 970364 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-66 405002 971618 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-67 401881 973412 49.26 17.47 9.56 9.03 5.61 4.51 0.40 2.3354 0.782 0.1376 0.02 0.26 34 58 83 42 77 0.08 30
GY-68 400946 977774 67.06 12.88 8.44 0.07 0.12 6.89 4.67 0.7479 0.042 0.1816 0.01 0.07 <0.1 16 <0.1 <0.1 79 1.81 <0.1
GY-69 426897 971935 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-70 391601 938687 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-71 393454 937152 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-72 394465 935975 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-73 400850 936435 65.9 12.88 6.87 0.06 0.15 6.93 4.74 1.0677 0.121 0.1598 0.01 0.14 <0.1 10 <0.1 <0.1 70 0.05 <0.1
GY-74 408879 939398 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-75 417332 944594 74.35 12.16 3.18 0.02 0.09 4.12 4.14 0.3739 <0.001 0.1211 <0.01 2.18 <0.1 12 10 <0.1 20 0.72 <0.1
GY-76 416355 948149 67.90 9.45 7.88 0.17 0.21 4.45 4.48 0.5672 0.035 0.2599 0.06 4.79 <0.1 50 17 <0.1 50 0.04 <0.1
GY-77A 416277 948350 71.25 12.82 4.30 0.06 0.35 6.93 2.65 0.4845 0.024 0.2759 <0.01 0.024 <0.1 43 4 3 102 0.06 <0.1
GY-77B 416277 948350 45.66 15.66 9.83 7.06 3.49 4.42 0.31 2.7904 1.009 0.1791 <0.01 9.49 54 50 48 16 106 0.07 10
GY-78 432399 899153 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-79 433636 899977 48.86 17.07 10.50 8.21 4.85 4.54 0.40 3.4209 1.145 0.1467 0.01 0.27 108 49 76 27 86 0.43 <0.1
GY-80 436807 902002 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-81 439780 907805 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-82 446534 914122 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-83 447118 914225 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-84 448381 916210 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-85 453256 924376 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-86 454286 925219 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-87 460051 942391 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-88 460077 948868 73.12 10.78 4.39 0.03 0.06 5.51 4.58 0.3851 0.023 0.1025 <0.01 0.67 <0.1 16 4 <0.1 56 0.02 <0.1
GY-89 495474 904545 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-90 495570 904624 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-91 495722 903823 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-92 494116 904044 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-93 462691 989714 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-94 462173 987972 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GY-95 462394 988301 51.14 14.09 15.17 0.30 0.25 4.91 4.06 1.6366 0.073 0.412 <0.01 2.57 <0.1 26 17 <0.1 98 0.58 <0.1
GY-96 458019 985038 71.2 10.21 6.02 0.05 0.09 4.07 4.15 0.5498 0.016 0.2921 <0.01 3.01 <0.1 12 19 <0.1 185 0.46 <0.1
GY-97 455044 984973 61.39 14.47 4.13 0.11 0.15 5.93 3.73 0.6269 0.123 0.1061 <0.01 2.86 8 9 9 <0.1 135 0.05 <0.1
GY-98 445081 977781 71.59 11.94 4.28 0.03 0.15 5.42 4.76 0.6836 0.160 0.1637 <0.01 9.01 4 10 12 <0.1 62 0.02 <0.1
GY-99 455863 985159 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Basic Geoscience Mapping Core Process, Geological Survey of Ethiopia 70
 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Appendix 3 -Continued

Field no. Easting Northing SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO Na2O K2 O TiO2 P2O5 MnO SO3 LOI Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Au Pb
BGM-2 436943 902235 49.53 17.36 9.62 8.44 4.91 4.85 0.37 2.8354 1.093 0.1338 0.01 0.37 186 50 135 62 80 0.02 <0.1
BGM-3 443916 914047 7.15 0.96 0.54 30.83 19.75 0.07 0.01 0.0684 0.013 0.1954 0.15 39.86 7 20 40 14 27 0.02 <0.1
BGM-4 442742 913628 8.25 2.96 3.42 42.03 3.31 0.04 0.01 0.1953 0.143 0.217 0.21 38,85 20 34 40 16 22 0.01 <0.1
BGM-5A 442866 913610 94.45 4.12 0.19 0.02 0.10 0.03 0.02 0.2516 0.015 <0.001 0.04 1.66 <0.1 51 37 4 6 0.01 10
BGM-5B 366897 923441 61.81 11.00 2.67 12.76 0.42 0.07 0.51 0.7585 0.095 0.0842 0.74 8.72 8 26 45 170 32 0.01 10
BGM-9 348372 912372 51.36 16.44 10.06 6.46 6.79 3.47 0.84 2.5314 1.037 0.1481 0.02 3.11 38 38 54 35 93 0.01 <0.1
BGM-11 343490 909906 53.09 14.49 13.35 6.54 2.98 4.07 0.45 3.3765 1.133 0.2217 0.12 1.54 26 35 57 23 94 0.03 <0.1
BGM-12 355237 915278 49.99 14.60 11.63 7.41 4.01 3.62 0.29 3.6534 0.634 0.1941 0.14 3.41 16 58 38 54 117 0.10 <0.1
BGM-15 384322 946002 48.12 17.23 10.59 7.97 3.56 4.18 0.44 3.3315 0.961 0.1638 0.05 2.98 13 45 39 41 91 0.15 <0.1
BGM-16 360568 979266 47.62 19.0 8.85 10.20 5.33 3.63 0.28 2.7444 1.282 0.1385 0.02 0.9 89 49 110 68 55 0.07 <0.1
BGM-20 436943 902235 48.96 17.93 9.06 9.88 6.00 3.76 0.31 2.2175 0.871 0.1501 0.01 0.26 89 50 113 73 76 0.07 <0.1
AKR-AA-101 377097 988117 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-102 375424 972475 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-103 377440 958106 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-104 378714 955852 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-105 376010 972180 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-106 376758 971175 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-107 377176 971297 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-108 376557 971611 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-109 376534 971762 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-110 384033 946579 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-111 380058 950919 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-112 378023 950665 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-113 368559 950766 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-114 363712 951081 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-115 363600 913817 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-116 363705 912184 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-117 363670 911982 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-118 363212 911470 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-119 363402 911285 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-120 365399 908458 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-121 365770 908136 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-122 367676 905170 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-123 377499 901652 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-124 379050 900317 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-125 381302 898247 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-126 383692 896204 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-127 390276 891667 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-128 367695 900361 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-129 368028 894946 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-130 363368 887276 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Appendix 3 -Continued

Field no. Easting Northing SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO Na2O K2 O TiO2 P2O5 MnO SO3 LOI Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Au Pb
AKR-AA-131 437295 901010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-132 438317 899204 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-134 447584 885697 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-135 452103 885715 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-136 492837 917519 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-137 484605 920880 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-138 477354 923970 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-139 468020 920156 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-140 468252 920897 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-141 468051 921450 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-142 490518 972868 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-143A 487437 973231 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-143B 487437 973231 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-144 482594 975282 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-145 481897 975191 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-146 480142 977594 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-147 476042 981011 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-148 477292 988863 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-149 474987 991420 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-150 482653 992312 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-201 486753 988987 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-202 462284 981529 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-203 462544 978875 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-204 462204 977963 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-205 458798 963475 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-206 457018 962758 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AKR-AA-207 455887 954702 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Appendix 4. Total mineral composition of heavy mineral concentrate samples

* indicate not determined values; Heavy mineral determination expressed in wt. %
Easting and northing expressed in meters.
Sample no. Easting Northing Magnetite Ilmenite Hematite Limonite Epidote Amphibole Zircon Quartz Pyrite Martite
AKH-EB-0023 393438 898690 52 22 25 1 * tr tr tr * tr
AKH-GY-070 391601 938687 24 43 21 4 2 6 tr tr * *
AKH-GY-071 393454 937152 51 19 23 4 tr 3 tr tr tr *
AKH-GY-072 394465 935975 17 35 49 tr tr 3 tr tr * *

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 Geology, of the Akaki-Beseka area

Appendix 5 AAS analyses of minor and trace element raw data (except major oxides determined by XRF method) stream sediment samples of Akaki-Beseka area.
Major- oxides expressed in wt. %; Minor and trace elements are expressed in ppm;
Easting and northing expressed in meters.

Field no. Easting Northing SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO Na2O K2O TiO2 P2O5 MnO SO3 LOI Cr Co Ni Cu Zn Au Pb
AKD-EB-0023 393438 898690 45.71 21.53 12.70 0.05 0.51 0.22 0.27 2.1129 0.08 0.3078 0.03 16.02 63 56 52 20 116 0.55 <0.1
AKD-EB-0024a 393438 898690 46.84 22.61 13.43 0.05 0.58 0.14 0.25 2.1099 0.068 0.2981 0.03 13.17 65 32 47 20 113 0.29 <0.1
AKD-EB-0045 457509 887678 65.72 12.64 6.58 0.32 1.10 2.280 2.81 0.9700 0.030 0.3600 0.02 6.68 16 24 37 9 108 0.12 10
AKD-EB-0046 457193 890183 65.11 12.9 7.15 0.27 1.48 1.250 1.45 0.9290 0.036 0.2362 0.02 8.64 28 20 52 12 134 0.13 <0.1
AKS-GY-71 393454 937152 50.30 20.02 13.16 0.06 0.42 1.930 0.63 1.7446 0.102 0.8226 0.03 10.46 46 32 83 14 168 0.03 10
AKS-GY-72 394465 935975 52.84 19.55 13.54 0.04 0.41 2.170 0.72 1.6095 0.089 0.6881 0.03 7.99 66 32 83 12 130 0.05 30
AKS-GY-90 495570 904624 69.39 13.79 5.18 0.05 0.24 4.470 2.54 0.5067 0.025 0.1895 0.02 3.29 <0.1 13 52 <0.1 60 0.04 10
AKS-GY-99 455863 985159 60.93 17.20 6.35 0.22 0.37 5.070 3.84 1.3942 0.227 0.1988 0.01 3.88 <0,1 19 63 3 113 0.10 10
AKD-TA-0154 492772 974638 59.82 14.54 8.29 1.55 0.87 4.230 3.33 1.6165 0.164 0.4792 0.02 4.64 25 55 93 13 142 0.04 10
AKD-TA-0155 494220 977223 49.12 14.48 20.03 0.29 1.13 3.030 1.26 6.5218 0.120 0.7470 1.08 3.31 41 57 104 15 319 0.09 <0.1
AKD-TA-0156 495170 977304 55.25 16.78 11.06 0.50 1.43 2.480 1.54 3.1711 0.107 0.3974 0.16 6.29 66 53 160 20 191 0.04 <0.1
AKD-TA-0158 494512 925187 59.99 14.88 6.91 2.00 1.44 3.260 3.30 1.2761 0.083 0.3131 0.05 6.29 30 39 93 18 83 0.02 10
AKD-TA-0159 494790 951974 63.84 12.56 6.28 2.76 1.39 3.560 2.99 1.0469 0.125 0.3750 0.03 4.81 19 51 94 11 64 0.04 10
AKD-TA-0160 489060 945506 65.62 14.52 7.11 0.11 0.40 5.220 4.25 1.0025 0.053 0.2757 0.02 1.95 <0.1 13 50 3 693 0.02 10
AKD-TA-0161 489524 942497 65.65 15.41 5.62 0.04 0.12 6.800 4.53 0.7616 0.018 0.2092 <0.01 1.12 <0.1 16 38 1 77 0.05 20

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