Mineral potential of Eritrea

Mineral potential of Eritreametres was mined. The main quartz vein, about240 metres long, and having an average width of10 metres, ends in a stockwork of stringers. Themain en-echelon system extends over a strike lengthof 300 metres with widths of 20 – 30 metres. Therecovered gold grade is reported to have been 30– 40 grams per tonne and producon during theperiods 1933 – 1941 and 1955 – 1956 is recorded at874 kg, although it is widely believed that the actualproducon was greatly in excess of this esmate.The mine was closed in 1941 due to war and all itsmining equipment was removed. It was re-openedbriefly in 1955 to re-treat the tailings. Other interesnglocalies in this belt that reached produc-on include Damishoba, Dase, and Ranyo. Doboro,Tokombia and others were sll at the developmentstage, involving ping and underground explora-on, when the Italian occupaon ended in 1941. Inthe southern part of the belt operaons at Antoreand Damanoshila, and in the eastern zone of theBerbere River, all were at various stages of developmentbefore the Second World War. In the northernpart of the belt, at Suzena, prospecng started in1932, and mining was carried out from 1937 – 40.Dri on three levels were developed, but work wasabandoned on the fourth level due to water problems.Gold has also been discovered by the local arsanalminers at a number of places in recent mes. Theseare indicaons of the high gold potenal of the area.Deposits in the Bisha VMS BeltBased on regional works and satellite image interpretaon,the Bisha VMS and associated volcanosedimentarybelt is esmated to have a maximumwidth of about 30 kms and extends for more than100 kms to the south, while its northern extensionis not clear. This belt is believed to be highly prospecveand may connue for a substanal distanceto the north as well as to the south. In addion,records of past exploraon in this area indicatethat quartz veins with varying gold contents havebeen reported from some locaons including Okere(Okreb). Some of these were prospected and exploitedbefore mining stopped due to WWII.Gold & Base Metal Prospects in SouthernEritreaThere are indicaons of the connuity of the Asmara/DebarwaVMS belt for long distance to the south.Outcrops are known of gossanous rocks, exhala-ves and rock assemblages (felsic and mafic) suchas those of the Debarwa area, in the Kena area.There are also many places where local people areconducng arsanal mining. The area west of Kenacould represent another belt of mineralizaon, asthere are areas of recently discovered arsanalworkings south of Monsura area, that are its northernextension.Gold & Base Metal mineralisation in NorthernEritrea.There are indicaons of gold and basemetalmineralizaon in several parts of northern Eritrea.Old workings and prospects, of Italina me arefound in Seroa and Arruba in Harab Suit. There is aCu-mineralizaon along a belt that passes throughRaba and Semait areas where old workings arefound. Gossanous rocks running for hundreds ofmetres occur in Halibet area in farther north.Recent exploraon acvies and the work of arsanalminers in Zara and other areas to the north isindicang the presence of auriferous quartz veinsand stock works in many areas in this part of thecountry.In conclusion, it can be said that mineralizaon inmost part of the country is not well studied. It maybe far more complex and extensive than is apparent.The level of technology and understandingof mineralizaon styles that prevailed during theItalian occupaon was low, and most of the historicmines and old mining operaons in Eritrea wereinterrupted because of the Second World War. Theinvestment climate that existed at the me of thestruggle for independence that followed was alsonot conducive to the development of these opera-ons. It is therefore, no doubt that this part of theregion deserves comprehensive exploraon.18