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Is there Gold in Somalia?
You are here: MineralCollecting.org >> Posted Articles >> Article 39

Article Title: Is there Gold in Somalia?
By: Sameroone
January 22, 2004

It is not easy to answer the above question without understanding the geology of Somalia and surrounding regions (e.g. Ethiopia, Sudan, Yemen etc) where gold is currently mined.

Accurate mineral exploration had never been conducted in Somalia

Most of the African continent has been tectonically stable from orogenic episodes since about 500 million years ago. The Neoproterozoic (Pan African) orogenic episode have led to differentiate the continent into two major features: (i) cratons which have not suffered major orogenic deformation and metamorphism and (ii) mobile belts made up of rocks which are stable since 550 millions ago (Vail, 1985).

Somalia is a part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) that underlies several countries, mainly Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Eritre, Yemen and Egypt. These different areas during the Neoproterozoic, share a very similar geological evolution (accretion of volcanic island arcs) with mineral deposits formed by similar processes (epithermal, mesothermal, VMS gold deposits)

In view of geological and geotectonic setting of Somalia (especially northern region), it is broadly similar to that of surrounding regions where Neoproterozoic rocks (low- to high grade meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic rocks) record a succession of mild collision, which resulted from the successive accretion of island arcs. The earlier generation of gold mineralization in those regions formed in an island arc setting related to the waning stage of tectono volcano activity. Consequently, during Pan African orogeny that induced regional deformation, metamorphism, magmatism, collision of micro plates and crustal thickening, gold has been remobilized and reconcentrated either in the zones of metamorphic permeabilities and in collapse breccias (Hussein, 1999).

Gold mineralization in the above mentioned regions occurs in different forms corresponding to different geological environment and at least three types are present:

a) Premetamorphic mineralization associated with stratiform massive sulfide deposit, e.g Northeast Sudan.

b) Gold mineralization related to the regional tectono-metamorphic episode. E.g. North East Sudan, West Saudi Arabia.

c) Gold mineralization related to shear zones, e.g. South Ethiopia, West Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, North East Sudan.

According to my knowledge,systematic geological mapping using satellite images/remote sensing, detailed litho-stratigraphic classification and accurate mineral exploration had never been conducted in Somalia, except, preliminary exploration work done by Russian geologists in the early seventies. Their works mainly consisted of some geochemical exploration studies in different part of Somalia searching mineral deposits including gold. Equally, UNDP had done several geological and geochemical investigations in the north Somalia in early eighties. However, it has been discovered several base metals and gold occurrences in north Somalia.

No doubt, Somalia has precious metals including gold, zinc, silver but I strongly suggest a detailed investigation for gold and sulfides metallic over meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic rocks has to be performed. The investigation should be included a detailed geological mapping using Landsat imagery and GIS. Unfortunately, the above geological tasks can not be carried out unless the current chronic instability and violence in Somali halt and Somalis bring peace and flexible solutions. However, the growing Somali higher institutions can establish geosciences faculty and take responsibilities of collecting and archiving all previous geological data about the nation. They can also carry out and organize workshops and seminars on the Somali minerals, water and environmental issues in close contact and cooperation with international universities, organizations and local NGO's.

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