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Geological Investigation and the Occurrence of
Heavy Minerals Around Kayle Area, Konso
Regional State, Southern Ethiopia
Bekele Ayele
Department of Geology
Faculty of Natural and Computational Science,
Bule Hora University, Oromia Regional State,
Ethiopia. P.O. Box No: 144.
Abstract— A county like Ethiopia which is endowed with rich digenetic processes during buried [4]. The degree of alteration
diverse of geological resources can associate future development due to weathering is significant and is independent of the
in the aspect of socio-economic development to mining industry. provenance. Hence, it attracts the attention of scientists in
Heavy mineral deposit mapping is essential for sustainable and different disciplines with totally different approaches [5]. Many
eco-friendly exploitation of natural resources. This research is researchers mention that the study of heavy minerals provides
interest on the detail geological investigation and heavy mineral information about the origin of the sediments and their
deposits of surface and subsurface sediments has been economic important. Therefore, this study should be focused
investigated in the Kayle prospect were undertaken on creating a detail geology map and structural map in scale of
systematically. The study area is located in southwest of Segen
1:15000, Heavy mineral desperation through geochemical
zone, in South Nation, Nationality and People Regional State,
Southern Ethiopia. The geology of the study area belongs to
analysis and to judge the sources (provenance) of heavy
Mozambique belt basement rocks which were known to host metallic minerals deposits.
most of the heavy mineral deposits in Ethiopia. Heavy mineral II. MATERIAL AND METHODS
assemblages in the coarse sand fraction of sediment samples A. Study area
were identified using petrography microscope and minerals The study area is located about 620 km from south-western
which have specific gravity of >2.8 g/cc3 presented as residual
direction of Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia, and 120 km
grains in sediments. Heavy minerals which are identified in study
area are limonite, magnetite, garnet tourmaline, sphene, zircon,
towards S - SE direction from Arba Minch town. Total areal
epidote, pyroxenes & amphiboles and most of the minerals are coverage of the study area is 40 km². Geographically the area is
angular to rounded shape. bounded between 316000 m E to 326000 m E and 0595000 m
N to 0599000 m N (Fig.1). The study area can be accessed
Keywords— Heavy minerals, Stream sediments, Petrography easily by asphalted road, gravel road and foot trail with some
microscope, Field investigation and GIS. difficulties. It can be reached by the asphalted road which runs
from Addis Ababa to Jinka through Konso. From Konso it is
I. INTRODUCTION accessible via the gravel road which extends from Konso to
Ethiopia has a varied geology and spectacular topography Kayle bisecting the study area, and all parts within the study
with the major East African Rift cutting its plateau into two area are accessible by using foot trails.
halves. The geology of Ethiopia ranges from the oldest
Precambrian to recent volcanic and sedimentary formations.
The Precambrian basement rocks are known to host for most of
the economic metallic mineral deposits which includes primary
and secondary enriched metallic minerals, placer gold and
heavy minerals. Heavy minerals are important economic
resource as they are useful in many industries for various
purposes. The low metamorphic grade of Precambrian
basement rocks and structural features favourability has
encouraged mineral exploration activities by the Ethiopia
Institute of Geological Surveys since 1970 and 1972 [1 and 2].
Basement rocks of low grade metamorphic rock of
Precambrian are considered to be the host rocks for placer gold
and heavy metals in Ethiopia.
Generally, the heavy mineral assemblage in sediments
usually reflects their parent rocks as well their origin and it Fig: 1. Study area boundary map
have high density minerals with respect to specific gravity [3].
The factors which influence the assemblage of the heavy B. Physiographic of the study area
minerals include weathering at different stages between the The topography of the area is characterized by highly
original source rocks and sedimentary environments, rugged which includes mountains, hills, and valleys. The
mechanical abrasion during transportation, physical sorting and maximum elevation of the study area is found to be 1440 m
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and its minimum elevation 1200 m. The general characteristic conical pan. A total of 17 samples were collected (Fig. 2). The
of climate in the study area is arid. The rainy season of the heavy mineral concentrates were extracted from the placer by
study area is from June to August and the dry season is from circular and pendulum motions of the pan under the water
January to March. The vegetation cover of the study area level. During repeated shaking cycles, the lighter particles were
shows variation in its different parts, some parts are sparsely washed away whereas the heavier ones settled down the pan.
vegetated and others are densely vegetated. In the southern and This process was repeated until a residue of heavy minerals
eastern parts are densely vegetated and the other parts are was obtained. These concentrates were then air dried for four
sparsely vegetated. The dominant vegetations in the area are days before submitted for analysis. After drying, meshing is
cactus tree, acacia, moringa (shiferaw) and dwarf plants. carried out in different mush size such as 1.8mm, 600µm,
500µm, 300µm, 150µm and <150µm for separating heavy
C. Geological setting minerals. Finally, microscope was used for scanning electron
In Ethiopia, the Mozambique belt is exposed in the south microscopic studies of each sample in order to find the heavy
and southwest and forms a front with the Arabian Nubian minerals and understand mineral alteration and micro
Shield (ANS) to the north [6]. [7] He explored metamorphic morphology.
complexes of the country in to Lower and Middle Complex
which correlated with the Mozambique belt, and the Upper
Complex is correlated with ANS. The Lower complex is
consider to be Achaean comprises high-grade gneisses,
granites, granulites and migmatites [8]. This lower complex is
further subdivided into five groups of gneissic rocks. These are
from the oldest to the youngest: Konso, Alghe, Awata, Yavello
and Baro gneisses. The study area mainly belong to konso
gneissic groups and it has initially interpreted as the lowest
litho-stratigraphic unit in the lower complex because of its
similarity to relict high grade Archean terrains in the Ugandan
basement. However, these units which show no comparable
evidence of reworking probable represent a localized
geothermal peak of the culminatory Mozambiquean Fig: 2. Sample location in the study area
metamorphic whose isograds transgressiveely overprint the
primary layering [9]. III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The konso group is comprises of four main rock types: A. Lithology map
biotite, granite, hornblende granite and monzodiorite. Biotite
The detail (1:15000) litholgy map of the study area is
leucogranite occurs in the western peripheral part as an arcuate accomplished with the help of field investigation. The
mass of grey massive nearly homogeneous medium grained lithological units presents in study area are basalt, dolerite,
rock. They are equigranular to sub porphyrtic and essential granite, amphibolites, gnessis and granulites (Fig.3). The basalt
composed of quartz coarpethic microcline sodic plagioclase and dolorite rock is exposed in eastern parts and outcrops
feldspar and biotite. Biotite granite forms the larger centre emerge near to river cut and hill side. Basalt rock is
part, whereas biotite- hornblende-granite occurs as a smaller characterized by light to dark grey, aphanetic in texture and
body in the eastern end of the pluton. It composed similar to massive nature and the columnar basalt have columnar joints.
botite leacegranite quartz and high plagioclase biotite. Dolorite rock appears in weathered colour is light brown and
Monzodiorite forms mino, up 10m sized, darker masses fresh colour is dark grey. Both rocks are composed of pyroxen,
scattered all over the biotite-hornblende granites. The plagioclase feldspar and quartz. The outcrop of granite is
monzodiorite exposures are restricted to lowest elevation mainly present in northwestern, southwestern and central part
indicating that they window to unexposed larger mafic plutonic of the study area and it is characterized by dark grey and light
bodies as already described elsewhere in the world. They are color. The texture of the rock is phaneretic and it is composed
fine grained to subporphyritic with coarse grained bitotite (10- of quartz, feldspar and biotite. The amphibolite rock which is
35% ) amphibole (15-40%) some clinophyroxen (5-10%) and found dominantly in contact with granulite unit which covers a
magnetite (5-10%) set in a finer matrix of quartz (<10%), K- small area and outcrop is appear in north, eastern and
feldspar (<5%) and plagioclase (An14,15-30%). Biotite is less southeastern sides of the study area. It is composed of
amphibole, plagioclase feldspar and quartz. This rock unit is
aluminous (Altot=2.31-2.40 apfu) and less ferric (XFe= 0.78)
observed intruded by pegmatite and quartz veins of different
than that of the granites whereas amphibole corresponds to
thickness. Amphibolites gnessis is exposed in eastern part and
ferro-hornblende. found along the river and stream cut. Its appear in weathered
colour in dark grey, fresh colour in black and white forming
D. Method of investigation banding. Texture of the rock is gneissic and it is composed of
The field investigation is one of the techniques for the amphibole, feldspar and quartz. Granulite covers large part of
preparing a detail lithology and structural map in the scale of the study area and colour of the rock is dark and dark gray
1:15000. Stream sediment samples are collected in main river weathered colour. This litholgy unit is high grade metamorphic
such as Kayle, Bebeka and their tributaries of third order and rock. Texturally this rock unit is coarse grained and it contains
second order stream position. The stream sediment samples of mineral assemblage of pyroxene, feldspar, and small amount
were collected randomly from the bottom of active stream of quartz.
channels using a spade onto a stainless steel, flat-bottom
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sample code such as kss8,kbss2,kbss5 and mss2.Its grains are
found as prism, dipyramid and ditetragonal dipyramid in
irregular shape, brown to orange in color, different sizes and
inclusions. Its widely distributed as accessory mineral in
granite, granodiorite, syenites , monzonit and rarely in
nephelilen. Tourmaline is the most abundant ultrastable
mineral in the study area, found as prismatic, elongate, indigo
to dark black grains and observed in all sediments. Garnet
mostly relatively resistant mineral and the grains were found as
cubic, red, brown, yellow, white, green, black color were
observed in mss3,kss1,kss2,kss3 and kss4. Hardness of Mohs
Fig: 3. Lithology map of the study area
scale ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 and it is often alters to talc,
B. Structural map serpentine, chlorite minerals. The garnets fractions are
Different geological structures are observed in study area characterized by subhedral form, brown to orange in color,
namely joints, faults, foliations, folds, dykes and veins (Fig :). absence of cleavage; some grains are bright red color and based
These geological structures are dominantly found in on color the garnets are identified as grossularite.
metamorphic rocks and developed in different units with
diverse orientations. Joint aperture and spacing varies TABLE I.
significantly with respect to 1cm to 1.5m. Fault is a planar RESULTS OF STREAM SEDIMENTS SAMPLES
fracture or discontinuity in a volume of a rock and it has
significant displacement. The study area is dominated by a
reverse fault, where as hanging wall moved upward relative to
the footwall. Foliation is any penetrative planar fabric present
in rocks and planar arrangement of minerals due to changes in
the effect of high temperature, pressure and metamorphism. In
study area, foliation is well developed in high grade
metamorphic rocks which has easily identified preferred
orientation of minerals and well developed bands. Generally
anticline fold are appearing in the study area and it occurs due
to applied stress in both direction of the lithological unit. Dyke
intrusions and quartz vein are observed in the study area having
different thicknesses and rock structures. Intrusions of dykes
which reaches upto 1.5 m and it appear in white fresh color and
grey weathered color. Quartz veins are appears in white color Illuminate are observed in kss1, kss2, kss3, kss4, kss7,
and overall thickness ranges from 5 cm to 1m. The pegmatite kbss2, kbss3, kbss4, kbss5, kbss6 and kbss7 sample codes. The
vein is composed with minerals like plagioclase feldspars, grains are characterized by subhedral form, angular to tabular
quartz, biotite mica and other felsic minerals and thickness and black in color and absence of cleavage. In study area, small
ranges from few cm to 1 m in study area. In shear zone, high grains of magnetite occur in almost all sample codes which
fractured and fragment are observed in study area which could
includes kss1, kss2, kss3, kss4, kss5, kss7, kbss1, kbss2, kbss3,
be formed by tectonic activities.
kbss4, kbss5, kbss6 and kbss7. It appears in black or brownish
black color with a metallic luster and it has a Mohs hardness of
5 to 6 with black streak. The magnetite fractions are
characterized by absence of cleavage subhedral form and grain
are not tabular like ilmenite. Epidotic are observed in mss2,
kss2, kss3 and kss4.Its characterized by its pistachio green
color and one perfect cleavage, piemontite by its pink, rose
color and cleavage. It forms under condition of regional
metamorphism of the epidotic to amphibolites facies. It also
forms during retrograde metamorphism and as reaction product
of plagioclase, pyroxene and amphibolites. Spine fractions are
characterized by its bow like shape, deep brown color fractures
Fig: 4. Structural map of the study area and present in only one sample in kss1. The heavy mineral
fractions in study area are frequently found as a rounded grain
C. Geochemistry analysis for stream sediments in steam indicates a relatively long distance of transport as well
The microscopic inspection of the stream sediments samples relatively strong reworking and probably from metamorphic
showed (Table 1) that the heavy minerals included in the study rocks.
area are zircon, Ilmenites, magnetite, garnet, epidote,
tourmaline, and sphene (Fig.5). . Zircon are observed in
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IV. CONCLUSIONS Winer Them Iss, 1987, 22: 161-174.
The study area is located in E (316000-326000) - N [7] Kazmin, V., The Precambrian of Ethiopia and some aspects of
(595000-599000) and characterized by its high grade of the geology of the Mozambique Belt.Geophysical Observatory
metamorphic rocks. The lithological maps represents study Bulletin, vol. 1. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1975, 14 p.
area belongs to basalt, dolerite, granite, amphibolites, gneisses [8] Kazmin V. The geology of Ethiopia. Note No. 821-0610-12,
and granulites. Structural data suggests that the area has Ethiopian Institute of Geological Surveys. 1972,. 208p.
experienced five phases of deformation. The complex [9] Davidson, A, Reconnaissance Geology and Geochemistry of
structures in the study area are joints, veins, (pegmatite, parts of Ilubabor,kefa, Gemu Gofa and Sidamo Ethiopia. Addis
quartz), fault, fold, dyke, shear zones. The dendritic drainage Ababa, EIGS, 1983 Bulletin No. 2.
pattern of the study area also has good contributions for
mineral transformation from one place to other place. From the
microscopic inspection of the stream sediments samples
showed that the heavy minerals included in the study area are
zircon, Ilmenite, magnetite, garnet, epidote, tourmaline, and
sphene. Heavy minerals are found in stream sediments in the
study area but there is variation in quantity of distribution and
which have specific gravity of >2.8 g/cc3 presented as residual
grains in sediments. The occurrences of heavy mineralization
are associated with veins is observed in the study area. Most of
the heavy minerals are angular to rounded shape in stream
indicates a relatively not so long distance of transport as well
relatively strong reworking and probably from metamorphic
rocks. However detail investigation should be carried out to
understand the genetic aspects, extent and economic viability
of the mineralization in the study area.
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