Document Type : Original Research Paper
Authors
- Gebremariam Mesele 1
- Miruts Hagos 2
- Bheemalingeswara Konka 3
- Tsegabrhan Gebreset 1
- Misgan Molla 1
- N Rao Cheepurupalli 4
- Girmay Hailu 5
- Negassi Debeb 1
- Assefa Hailesilasie 1
1 Department of Geology, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia
2 School of Earth Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
3 School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Botswana International University of Sciences and Technology, Private Bag16, Palapye, Botswana
4 Associate professor department of Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty of Mines Aksum University Ethiopia
5 School of Earth Sciences, Department of Geology, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
Abstract
The Dallol Depression, located in the northern Danakil Depression, has a complex geological history shaped by Afar rifting, containing approximately 1.7 km of evaporite deposits. These deposits, heavily influenced by volcanic activity and extensional tectonic faulting, exhibit significant structural variability. This research focuses on the potash-bearing section of the salt sequence, which consists of several distinct layers including the marker bed, sylvinite member, upper carnallitite member, bischofitite member, lower carnallitite member, and kainitite member. Employing satellite imagery (Landsat Thematic Mapper), geological and structural mapping, borehole data, and seismic analysis, this study characterizes the sub-surface features of the evaporites and estimates their reserves. The RockWorks software facilitated the development of a subsurface stratigraphic map and a three-dimensional fence diagram for enhanced interpretation. Seismic data indicate that while the upper layers of the evaporite deposits are largely horizontal and undeformed, deeper layers exhibit considerable tectonic disturbance. Thickness variations were observed, with evaporite and alluvial deposits being thinner at the southeastern rim and thicker in the eastern concession center. The total potash reserve is estimated at approximately 2.96 billion tons, of which 877.76 million tons (29.60%) remain unexploited. Current borehole designs restrict the company's extraction capacity to 24.64%. This study recommends revising mining strategies, incorporating updated borehole designs and advanced geophysical methods to improve potash recovery and promote sustainable practices in the Dallol region.
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