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American Journal of  
Geospatial Technology (AJGT)

Geochemical and Petrological Survey in Northern Ethiopia Basement Rocks for 
Investigation of  Gold and Base Metal Mineralization in Finarwa Area and Its Surrounding 

Southeast Zone of  Tigray, Ethiopia.
Siraj Beyan Mohamed1*

Volume 1 Issue 1, Year 2022
ISSN: 2833-8006 (Online) 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajgt.v1i1.404
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Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: July 21, 2022

Accepted: August 2, 2022

Published: August 4, 2022

The study is accompanied in northern Ethiopian basement rocks, Finarwa area and its sur-
rounding areas, south eastern Tigray. The objective of  the study is to amendment field geol-
ogy, mineralogy, and geochemical characteristics to deliberate about the gold and base metal 
mineral potential investigations. From the field observations the geology of  the area haven 
been described and mapped based on mineral composition, texture, structure and colour of  
both fresh and weather rocks. The ore mineral under microscope are commonly base metal 
sulphides pyrrhotite, Chalcopyrite, pentilandite occurring in variable proportions. Galena, 
chalcopyrite, pyrite and gold mineral are hosted in quartz vein. The base metal sulfides occur 
as disseminated, vein filling and replacement. Geochemical analyses result from inductively 
coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) 
indicates the threshold of  geochemical anomalies is directly related to the identification of  
mineralization information. From samples stream sediment samples and the soil samples 
indicated that the most promising mineralization occur in the prospect area are gold(Au), 
copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). This is also supported by the abundance of  chalcopyrite and 
sphalerite in some highly altered samples. The stream sediment geochemical survey data 
shows relatively higher values for zinc compared to Pb and Cu. The moderate concentration 
of  the base metals in some of  the samples indicates availability base metal mineralization 
in the study area requiring further investigation. In addition the sulphide concentrations in 
the research area are related to different stages of  mineralization and are controlled both 
by structures and lithology. They are well established in the slate-phyllite and metavolcanics 
along the shear zones and faults as disseminated and vein filling. The rock and soil geochem-
istry shows significant concentration of  gold with maximum value of  0.33ppm and 0.97 
ppm in the south western part of  the study area.

Keywords
Gold, Base metal, Slate-phyllite, 
Meta-Volcanic, Threshold, 
Geochemical anomaly

1 Woldia University , Ethiopia.
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: sirabeygeology@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
Rocks and minerals around us are used to develop new 
technologies and are used in our everyday lives. Our 
use of  rocks and minerals includes as building material, 
cosmetics, cars, roads, and appliances. In order maintain 
a healthy lifestyle and strengthen the body, humans need 
to consume minerals daily. Ethiopia is one of  the African 
countries with considerable mineral resource potential and 
is endowed with substantial amounts of  metallic and non-
metallic resources and has a long history of  exploration 
(e.g. Assefa, 1985 and Tadesse et al., 2003). Low to high 
grade Precambrian rocks of  southern, western, northern 
and eastern Ethiopia have huge potential for base metal, 
precious and rare metal mineralization (Tadesse et al., 
2003). However, the mining activities have not reached 
to the expected levels and at the time Ethiopia is gaining 
marginal economic benefits from these resources. One of  
the reasons for less input from the mineral sector seems 
to be the lack of  basic geological information and skills, 
related to mineral exploration and sustainable conducive 
environment for foreign and local investment but since 
the last decades or so the situation is fast changing in the 
country in favor of  mineral exploration inviting many 
exploration companies in the mining industry.
Modern minerals exploration started in 1968 with the 
establishment of  Ethiopian Geological survey which is 

engaged in basic geological surveying of  the country. 
Mineral exploration as introduced in the country during 
the 1960s when the United Nations Development 
program (UNDP) executed a mineral survey in western 
and southern Ethiopia. The Economic Minerals 
Exploration Department was organized in 1984, with the 
establishment of  the Ethiopian Institute of  Geological 
surveys (EIGS), later it was reorganized as the Mineral 
Exploration and Evaluation Core Process (MEECP) 
in July 2009. The aim of  this unit is to conduct detail 
and follow up explorations and evaluate the economic 
mineral as well as the hydrocarbon potential of  the 
country and assess the viability of  these recourses for 
further development, ultimately contributing to the socio-
economic progress. During the past here or four decades 
various occurrences of  precious, metallic, industrial and 
hydrocarbon resources have been identified.
Numerous gold and base metal occurrences that have been 
reported in several locations throughout Late Proterozoic 
low-grade metamorphic belts of  southern, southwestern, 
western, eastern, and northern Ethiopia (Tadesse, et 
al, 1996, Tadesse,et al, 2003). Gold is the dominant 
mineral commodity in Ethiopia and the artisanal miners 
occurs mainly in the form of  secondary placer deposits. 
Primary gold is currently mined at the Lega Dembi area 
in southern Ethiopia, which has a resource of  ~60 t Au 

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with an average 6 g/t of  Au (Tadesse et al. 2003) that 
hosted in Neoproterozoic greenstone rocks and shear-
zone. Currently, some projects have reached an advanced 
exploration stage in western and northern Ethiopia and 
are entering a pre-mining phase, possibly in a couple of  
years to become the next mines. Although Ethiopia is still 
underexplored for gold, and other metallic and industrial 
mineral deposits, notable exploration activities have been 
carried out both by the Geological Survey of  Ethiopia 
and private companies.
Mineral resources of  Ethiopia have not yet well explored 
and exploited, and hence its contribution to the overall 
economy or GDP is low. However, as reported by the 
World Bank Group (2014), its contribution to the 
foreign exchange earnings reached about 10% of  which 
the artisan mining takes the lion’s share of  over 65%. 
The artisan mining also significantly contributes to the 
employment of  at least 1.26 million people and supports 

the livelihood of  over 7.5 million populations.
In the study area exploration activities have been 
unsuccessful in identifying surface and subsurface 
extensions of  mineralization, largely due to a poor 
understanding on the type of  lithology, structural 
controls, genesis and occurrences of  mineralization.
Underpinning Artisanal gold mining in Finarwa area is 
the broader issue that structural adjustment and market 
liberalisation has ‘induced significant unemployment 
which has forced many people into illegal artisanal mining 
to supplement their incomes’. So this study is carried out 
to identify the host rock, type of  alteration, structural 
analysis, and geochemical anomaly and to recommend 
site of  mineralization to conduct feasibility study in the 
study area as well as correlating the anomaly with the 
standard and correlating with similar deposits in other 
parts of  Tigray.

Figure 1.1: Map of  distribution low grade volcano-sedimentary sequences in Ethiopia (after Mengesha et al., 1996, 
Gebresilassie, 2009 & cited from Haftu., 2015).

Description of  the study area
The study area is located in the northern Ethiopia, in 
south Eastern zone of  Tigray along the Samre -Soqeta 
road town (Amhara region) which is about 90km from 
Mekelle capital city of  Tigray(Figure 1.2).
It can be reached by the gravel road extended from 
Mekelle - Samre – Finarwa or by asphaltic road from 
Mekelle-Abi-Adi then gravel road from Abi-Adi to 
Yechilay- Finarwa which continue into Amhara region. 
The study area covers an area of  36 km2 and is bounded 
between UTM coordinates 0501000m to 0507000m East 
and 1448000m to 1442000m North. Regionally, the area is 
lying within Samre topo sheet map and is entirely covered 
by low grade metamorphic rocks of  Precambrian age.

Problem statement
The importance of  developing a mineral exploration 

and mining with -free and reliable work plan has long 
been recognized by the mining companies. However, 
numerous mineral exploration projects are still plagued by 
delays and cost overruns, which can frequently be traced 
to ineffective identification and treatment of  mineralized 
zones. First, when a exploration is not properly identified 
during scheduling, subsequent conflicts in the field are 
inevitable. Today’s projects are becoming more and more 
technically complex and logistically challenging, which 
exposes exploration operations to even more complex 
exploration activities.
Currently, there is no viable explanation for the existence 
of  the potential metallic mineral resouerces except the gold 
which mined by local miners by panning. . Determining 
the source(s) for the minerals (s) is a problem that has not 
been solved. A powerful tool that has not been utilized by 
any workers is a detailed study of  mineral chemistry in the 

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metamorphic rocks of  the Finarwa area. Consequently, I 
propose to seal the glaring gap in the understanding of  the 
genesis of  the mineralization and the controlling factors 
for the mineral distribution by conducting a quantitative 
study of  the mineral assemblages of  the study area.
The present study determine the host lithologies, extent 
and associated geochemical features of  the metallic 
mineralization in addition to that children who are also 
participating in practical mining which leads them to 
achieve poor academic performance in school will be 
solved by putting criteria measurements .

METHODOLOGY
Twenty two stream sediment and nineteen soil analysed 
using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry 
(ICP-MS) in addition to this six stream sediment sanples 
have been analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry 
(AAS) for cross checking and, nine mineralized rock 
samples were collected for analysing gold and base metal 
mineralization using ICP MS and six mineralized rock 
samples were collected and prepared for polished section. 
The samples analyzed using AAS have detection limit of  
0.002ppm and most samples remain above detection limit 
shows positive anomaly for both gold and base metal 
occurrence.

The research works have been followed by three main 
phases during the study. The first is pre-field work consists 
of  collection of  relevant published and unpublished 
literatures from institutes; Bureaus, universities and 
internet were conducted. In addition field work planning, 
base map preparation and interpret enhanced thematic 
Images, looking different geological and geochemical.
The second phase is field work which includes lithological 
description and collection of  rock, stream sediment, 
gravel, sand and soil samples placid from representative 
populations. Each sample location would be recorded 
with GPS(Geographic Positioning system) plastic 
flagging tape and a small aluminium tag or plastic pin-
marker showing the sample number.
Analyses of  the soil and stream sediment samples taken 
enable the observation of  patterns and concentrations 
in the distribution of  metals in the soil and stream 
sediment which would potentially indicate enriched rock 
underneath. Inspected field characteristics, mineralogical 
and geochemical composition of  gold bearing quartz 
veins and soils and used to establish prospectivity 
prediction models that indicate ranking of  areas with 
potential gold mineralization.
Collected samples transport for preparation of  thin 
sections and chemical analysis. Thin sections (both 

Figure1. 2: Location map of  the study area

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polished and unpolished) prepared for studying the 
mineralogical, textural and alteration behaviour of  the 
rocks using polarizing and reflecting microscopes. The 
bulk and grab samples crushed by jaw crusher and 
pulverized to -200 mesh sizes by the tungsten carbide 
ball mill. The representative portions of  these samples 
will obtain by passing individual sample through splitter. 
The representative powdered samples stored in the glass 
bottles and were heated at 110ºC overnight and then the 
bottles stored in the desiccator for further processing.

Methods to determine the threshold of  geochemical 
anomalies
There are many kinds of  methods for determining the 
threshold of  geochemical anomalies: the statistical 
method, direct graphical method, geochemical section 
method, martensitic distance method, single element 
calculation, cumulative frequency method, local 
singularity analysis, exploration data analysis method, etc.
In this study soils, stream sediments and rocks 
geochemical analysis result data are treated and processed 
using conventional statistical method (simple statistics) 
such as mean, range, coefficient of  variation, standard 
deviation and threshold value and compared with general 
background concentrations. Exploration data analysis 

method is used to process the gold and base metal data 
and determine the abnormal thresholds.
In exploration geochemistry, values of  the threshold 
[mean ± 2 standard deviation (Std)] were originally used 
to identify about 2.5% of  upper (or lower) extreme values 
and act as the threshold for further inspection of  large 
data sets (Hawkes and Webb, 1962). The method requires 
that the geochemical data follow normal distribution. 
Some extreme values in the geochemical data derived 
from the data distribution or a second (mineralization) 
distribution could influence the results of  this method, 
i.e., 5%, 10%, 20%, or even 50% of  the data could be 
identified as extreme values.

Geology of  the study area
The development of  the Ethiopian basement is directly 
or indirectly related with the Arabian Nubian shield 
(ANS) and the Mozambique Orogenic Belt (MOB) both 
of  which are related to the formation of  the East African 
Orogene (EAO). The formations of  northern Ethiopia 
provide that the geology of  the region is the southern 
extension of  the Arabian Nubian Shield (Tadesse et al., 
1999; Tadesse, 1996 and 1997; Abdelsalam and Stern, 
1996). The Arabian Nubian Shield extends from Jordan 
and southern Israel in the north to Eritrea and Ethiopia 

Figure 1.3: Geological map of  the study area

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in the south and Egypt in the west to Arabia and Oman 
in the east (Blasband et al., 2000; Archibald et al., 2014). 
Most of  the Precambrian volcano-sedimentary sequences 
and associated intrusions have been subjected to several 
orogenic episodes during the Pan African Orogeny, which 
is the cause for the formation of  the Arabian–Nubian 
Shield terranes (Tadesse et al, 2003). The
Arabian-Nubian shield hosts numerous VMS deposits, 
orogenic lode gold deposits and placer deposits practiced 
by artisanal workers (Barrie et al., 2007). The ANS hosts 
numerous gold deposits in several districts found within 
the entire shield most notably in Saudi Arabia, Sudan, 
Ethiopia and Eritrea (Barrie et al., 2007; Barrie and 
Hannington, 1999).
The Neoproterozoic basement rocks exposed in the study 
area includes metasediments, meta volcanics /clasts and 
younger Granitoids. The metasediment and metavolcanic 
rocks, except for the younger granitoids have been 
tectonized, sheared, altered and in some places show 
sulphide mineralization. They are crosscut by various 
types of  disseminated sulphide-bearing dykes and veins.
The Neoproterozoic basement rocks are the oldest rocks 
exposed in the study area. The basement rocks of  the 
region indicate that the metavolcanic rocks form the 
oldest, followed by phyllite, slate, and carbonate ¬and 
the associated post-tectonic plutonic units (Miller et al., 
2003; Beyth, 1972), granodioritic composition (Alene 
et al., 2000; Garland, 1980) and sedimentary cover 
rocks. Therefore, the order of  the rocks from oldest to 
the youngest is metavolcanic,slate-phyllite, carbonate, 
granitoids and sandstone. On the basis of  mineral 
association and their textures observed from hand 
spacemen petrographical studies, the rocks in the study 
area are named as metavolcanic/clastic, slate-phyllite, 
meta-black limestone and granitoids. The presence of  
chlorite, muscovite and biotite, development of  foliation 
and presence of  primary compositional banding of  
minerals in the metamorphic rocks indicates the rocks in 
the study area have experienced low grade metamorphism. 
Furthermore, the development of  crenulation cleavage at 
places is observed due to the localized effects of  quartz 

intrusion or intensive shearing but only in phyllite. On the 
other hand depending on the distribution (random) and 
orientation of  the minerals in the intrusive rocks shows 
that this rock is post tectonic granitoids.
Among the two dominant types of  metamorphic 
rocks (meta-volcanic and phyllite), metavolcanics are 
dominated by fine grained mineral matrix with few coarse 
quartz,plagioclase and mineral clasts and rock fragments 
than slate-phyllite rock. The clasts vary from dominant 
quartz, plagioclase to mafic mineral and rock fragments 
and show rounded sub-rounded and irregular shapes. 
Similarly, phyllite is characterized by fine grained mineral 
matrix and with well-developed foliation and crenulations 
and boudinage as well as primary compositional banding 
of  minerals.

Felsic Metavolcanic
The felsic metavolcanics in the study area display a 
variegated color which ranges from brownish to reddish 
in color and are fine grained and shining appearance due 
to presence of  fine grained sericite minerals. The rock is 
intensively fractured and intruded by quartz veins having 
different orientation and thicknesses ranging from 5 to 
20 cm . It is highly affected by hydrothermal alterations 
forming different quartz veins.

Mafic-Metavolcanoclastic Rock
This unit is composed of  intercalation of  mafic-
metavolcaniclastic which is exposed at the south eastern 
part of  the study area. The dominant rock unit is mafic 
metavolcaniclastic with less foliated phyllite rock while 
the metavolcanoclastic is nearly none to slightly foliated 
with a general strike direction of  N-S. The fresh and 
weathered color of  the metavolcanic rock in the area is 
green brownish and dark gray respectively. The clasts 
have rounded to sub rounded and elongated shape. The 
rounded clast suggests that the rock does not undergone 
intensive deformation.

Slate-Phyllite and Graphitic schists
The slate phyllite and graphitic schist intercalation 

Figure 1.4: Felsic metavolcanic with quartz vein

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rocks in the study area are derived from sedimentary, 
volcanoclastic and mafic flows. They are variegated in 
color which range from gray, black and reddish colors 
with dominantly dark grey and black colored. The unit 
is fine grained texture, slightly foliated, composed of  
graphite, micas (sericite), and minor amount of  fine 
grained chlorite, feldspar and quartz.

This unit is the dominant lithology in study area and 
covers around 55 % of  the area and is highly foliated 
trending N-S to NE-NW. The degree of  the orientation 
of  the foliations frequently shifts due to the intruding 
intrusive bodies within the slate-phyllite rock. Veinlet 
and Quartz veins several meters thick aligned parallel to 
the foliation direction and frequently shifting orientation 

Figure 1.5: Slate phyllite graphic schist
is observed. The presence of  muscovite in the contact 
between the slate phyllite and granite in the central part 
of  the study area gives the unit shiny appearance and 
affected by sericite alteration due to shearing movements.

Quartz Veins
These are formed when hydrothermal solution percolates 
through fractures. Quartz veins are the common 
in filling secondary material and distributed in the 
terrain particularly along shear zones and the contact 
between phyllite and dyke. Based on their cross-cutting 
relationship it is possible to determine the history and 
time of  emplacement of  the quartz veins. Their size 
ranges from vein let a few centimeter thickens (1cm) up 
to reef  size (50 meter) thick. The vein is dominantly wide 
spread in the western part in filling weak zones parallal 
and perpendicular to the foliation orientation.
The thickness of  the veins are variable, it ranges from 
about few cms upto 50m. The overall orientation of  these 
veins and veinlet’s lies in N40º-80ºW, N15º-30ºE, E-W 
and N-S strike and dipping vertically to sub-vertically 
to the northern, western, northern and western parts 
respectively.
The quartz veins in the study area are characterized by 
pure quartz vein (white color), smoky quartz vein and 
yellowish color. Most of  the veins are highly brecciated 
and silicified cutting the phyllite/slate intercalation; at 
place there is quartz reefs and fragments of  quartz veins 
cover a wide area as quartz float.

Alterations
Alterations of  minerals are very commonly associated 
with the intensive hydrothermal related activities 
which results in oxidation, kaolinization, silicification, 
ferruginization and sericitization.

Table 1: Quartz vein strike direction

NO Quartz 
vein

Thickens 
(cm)

Location (UTM)
ElevationNorthing Easting

1 660 5 1542720 540468 2107
2 850 3.5 1542720 540468 2107
3 100 5 1542929 541824 2087
4 650 10 1542929 541824 2087
5 50 3 1542929 541824 2087
6 3400 50 1543001 541199 2081
7 3500 53 1545447 538462 2023
8 750 60 1545447 538462 2023
9 50 6 1545899 541148 1996
10 800 10 1545899 541148 1996

Oxidation type alteration is common with in the western 
and central part of  the study area in quartz veins both 
in the felsic metavolcanic rock and slate phyllite rock. 
Oxidation has been furnished various colors of  yellow, 
reddish brown, deep reddish brown, black and light 
reddish. The various colors have been generated from 
oxidation or leaching of  iron bearing minerals and vein 
type iron bearing minerals. Pyrite crystals associated with 
this rock are also common but the sulphide dissolves to 
the air to react with oxygen. This reaction represents the 
chemistry of  pyrite weathering to form ferrous iron and 
sulfides. 2FeS2(Pyrite ) + 7O2(Oxygen ) + 2H2O(water)= 
2Fe(Ferrous Iron)

RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Artisanal miners and placer deposits
Surface exposures of  gold Mineralization in the area in 
alluvial(stream sediment) and elluvial(soil) placer deposits 
are extensively panned at Finarwa area and it’s surrounding 
during rainy season and carrying water from far distances 
in the intermittent rivers and at any time in the Perennial 
Rivers. This is the direct implication for the occurrence 

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Figure 1.6: Rose diagrams showing: - A) Foliation orientation B) Quartz vein orientation

of  gold in the study area which is hosted within the shear 
zone affected by hydrothermal activity.
Weathering processes produces samples (soils and 
stream sediments) that return records on local hidden 
mineralization or on the potential existence of  major or 
minor mineralization in a wide region. The residual soil 
is the geochemical sample that is often used to detect 
the location of  hidden mineralization. Migration of  
groundwater provided chemical response at the surface. 
This process produces elemental dispersion pattern. 
Most of  these dispersed elements (e.g., Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, 
As, Bi, Pb, Sb, Hg, W, Mo. and Se) are useful indicators or 
pathfinders for the presence of  gold.
In Finarwa artisanal gold mining has become an 
increasingly widespread economic activity of  the local 
people undertaken by socially differentiated groups 
with a wide range of  education levels and economic 
backgrounds incorporating a wide variety of  ‘labour 
intensive activities without mechanisation.
The local people economic activities participation in 
both farming and mining locate way of  life into the 
classification ‘ mining farmers’ versus ‘farming miners 
which drawing attention to large-scale population 

displacement and economic transition has reconfigured, 
but not eliminated co-existing importance of  both sectors 
in the same regions.
Mining and farming have often co-existed alongside 
many other informal income generation strategies with 
past work noting that livelihood struggles have been 
shaped by a myriad of  political and historical forces that 
underpin unemployment crises. Gold is artisanally mined 
from eluvial deposits within Finarwa area and its district 
but mine site selection and mining operations are done 
without any understanding of  mode of  occurrence, 
compositional characteristics and extent of  gold 
mineralisation.
Foundation of  the Artisanal gold mining in Finarwa area 
is the broader issue that require structural adjustment 
and market liberalisation has ‘induced significant 
unemployment which has forced many people into illegal 
artisanal mining to supplement their incomes’. According 
to the reports from the governmental offices the number 
of  populations involving in the traditional gold mining 
in Finarwa and its surrounding Abergele district exceeds 
10,000 peoples.
In the fieldwork in Finarwa area, artisanal miners 

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Figure 1.7: Reef  greater than 50cm thickness, (C); vein let (1cm thick), (D); Cross cutting relationship between vein 
a and b (vein b is younger than vein a).

Figure 1.8: source from government Investment and Industry Development office panning of  gold from stream 
sediment in Finarwa surrounding area(Abergel district)

operate in groups, locally known as Mahber, which 
generally comprise people who share relationship ties, 
are extended family members, or friends who have 
known each from their place of  origin or those who 
have worked together at different mine sites over a long 
period of  time. Some the groups(Mahberat) are made up 
of  wage labourers employed by a sponsor. Although the 
groups predominantly comprise male members (due to 
heavy manual work involved), women are also involved 
in groups either as sponsors who hire labour or as gold 
buyers or dealers who buy gold for resale locally or to 

gold smuggling syndicates. Women can also act as co-
managers of  a group (Mahber) with their friends.
Eluvial gold occurs within the low grade slate phyllitic 
rock and metavolcanic rock in some locations called 
minor gold fields and has been recovered by artisanal 
miners through excavation of  several pits of  various 
dimensions and depths. The soil rich in gold was panned 
and washed and lighter fractions were removed until heavy 
minerals with gold grains remained. The gold grains were 
separated from the heavy mineral concentrates manually.
Residual weathering of  rocks that underlain the study 

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area resulted into soil formation and this is reflected 
in its mineralogy. Weathering facilitated the dispersion 
of  the geological materials containing primary gold 
mineralization. The major mineralogical constituent in all 

the soil samples examined is quartz. There is no distinct 
pattern in the mineralogical composition of  the minor 
and trace constituents.
Gold and sulphide ore minerals were recognized in 

Figure 1.9: Showing Recovery of  gold by local people A. panning for gold B. artisanal miners C. deep hole 
excavation of  gold following quartz vein within felsic metavolcanic rock

the study area as attained the field work, soil, rock and 
stream sediment analysis results and ore petrography. 
The district has a high potential for shear-zone related 
gold mineralization as the traditional mining in the area 
are following quartz veins and ore petrography showing 
ore minerals concentrated in quartz veins. Quartz vein 
controlled gold gathering is also exercised by the local 
people in the study area by deep hole excavation(>10m) 
following quartz vein within the felsic metavolcanic rock 
in southeastern part of  the study area. Occurrence of  gold 
is observed in the surface samples as tiny micron grains 
associated with sericitization alterations in excavated 
holes in area as most of  the local peoples concentrate in 
winter season. The Au-bearing quartz veins are generally 
more deformed and associated with hydrothermally 
altered sericite-chlorite schist.
Gold bearing quartz veins crosscut metapelites 
(slate, phyllite with schist) and intensively weathered 
granite in the study area indicating epigenetic styles of  
mineralization. These veins vary considerably in thickness 
and often exhibit significant vertical and longitudinal 
continuity. Vein contacts are generally sharp and steeply 
dipping. Primary gold in the area predominantly occurs 
in quartz veins, stringers that associated with second 
generation quartz vein and second phase of  deformation 
within the basement rocks specially quartz veins within 
metavolcanic rock.

Ore Petrography
Gold and sulphide ore minerals were recognized in the 
field (Megascopic) and in microscopic study (petrography). 
Most of  the minerals that are recognized in the field 
occurred on and near quartz veins especially around the 
shear zone. Hydrothermal alteration related sulphide 
mineralizations are observed from ore petrography 
study of  the rocks collected from the research area. Ore 
forming sulphide minerals including pyrite, chalcopyrite 
and galena. They are recognized in metavolcaniclastics, 
metavolcanic and quartz dikes. The mineral pyrite is 
occurs as both disseminated and vein filling type.
FNCR 4:-The section contains both gold and pyrite 
minerals. The samples were taken from the slate-phyllite 
rock unit intensively affected by hydrothermal veins. The 
gold and pyrite minerals in the unit occur as vein type of  
mineralization. Pyrite is medium grained and euhedral (as 
cubic outlines) to subhedral in shape.
FNCR 6:-The section contains pyrite, chalcopyrite, 
opaque minerals which occurs within the metavolcanic 
rock unit. The pyrite mineral in the unit occurs as vein type 
of  mineralization, which is characterized by fracturing, 
medium grained and subhedral in shape.
FNCR 7:-This section is composed of  only pyrite mineral 
occurring within the quartz rich rock unit which is 
moderately oxidized. The pyrite mineral occurs as coarse 
graind size and uhedral grain shape.
FNCR 10:-It is mainly composed of  pyrite and galena 

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ore minerals within the felsic metavolcanic rock unit. 
Pyrite occurs as disseminated type of  mineralization and 
medium to coarse grained size in a large amaunt. Galena 
occurs as replacement style of  mineralization, medium 
grained size in a small amaunt within the pyrite veins.
From the ore microscope observation it is concluded 
that the gold, pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena minerals 
in Finarwa area are associated with quartz veins found 
within both meta-sediments and meta-volcanic rocks. 
Since the area is highly affected by post tectonic shearing 
in some samples disseminated pyrite is observed.

Geochemical Survey
Geochemical background and threshold are two essential 
concepts in mineral exploration and geochemistry. 
Background is defined as ‘the normal abundance of  
an element in barren earth material or normal crustal 
abundance of  material naturally The standard crustal 
abundance value for Au 0.0035 ppm, Co 29 ppm , Cu 
68 ppm, Pb 13 ppm, Ag 0.075 ppm and Zn 76 ppm 
(Fortescue, 1992, parker 1967). Geochemical value which 
is not same as the background is threshold anomaly that 
can be positive or negative. The threshold value calculated 
from the mean and median plus two standard deviations 
(Rose et al. 1979).
Geochemical data are treated and processed using simple 
statistics such as mean, range, coefficient of  variation, 
standard deviation and threshold value and compared 
with general background concentrations. Geochemical 

Figure 1.10: Ore Microscope where Au=gold, Gn= 
Galena, pyr=pyrite, Ccp=chalcopyrite, opq=opaque 
menerals

Figure 1.11: Ore Microscope where Au=gold, Gn= 
Galena, pyr=pyrite, Ccp=chalcopyrite, opq=opaque 
menerals

concentration values for nine elements (Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, 
Cu, Mo, W, As and Sb). A total of
nine rock, nineteen soil and twenty two stream sediment 
samples discussed in this study were taken at a low 
density of  about 1 sample per 1km2 from the areas. The 
statistical properties of  the concentrations of
these nine elements are summarized in Table 1, Table 2 
and Table 3 indicating non normal data distributions.

Rock geochemistry result
The geochemical data analysis of  the mineralized rock 
samples shows tremendous anomaly for gold and copper 
concentration. The result shows presence of  some 
anomaly for gold and copper concentration which is 
hosted in the shear zone altered metamorphic rocks. The 
oxidized quartz vein within the low grade rocks shows 
gold and copper mineralization.
From the rock geochemical analysis result the maximum 
navigated result value for gold is 0.33 ppm which is 
obtained from the analysed samples taken from quartz 
vein. The rock geochemical analysis result for gold 
content ranges from 0.02 to 0.33 ppm with a mean 
value of  0.086 ppm and two standard deviation value 
of  0.198214, the threshold value calculated from mean 
plus two standard deviation for gold is 0.2849 and the 
standard crustal abundance for gold which is 0.003 ppm 
((Fortescue 1992) therefore the area have good potential 
for gold mineralization.
From the rock geochemical analysis for Ag content 
ranges from 0.02 to 3.4 ppm with a mean value of  1.513 
ppm , two standard deviation values of  2.19381 and the 
calculated threshold value is 3.7071 , the result from the 
rock geochemical analysis for Pb range from 2 to 79 ppm 
with mean values of  17.33 ppm , two standard deviation 
values of  46.891 and the calculated threshold value is 
64.25 and the result from the rock geochemical analysis 
for Cu ranges from 27 to 240 ppm with mean value of  
90.11ppm , two standard deviation values of  137.405 
and the calculated threshold value is 227.52, the result 
from the rock geochemical analysis for Zn value ranges 
from 6 to 170 ppm with mean 57.55 ppm, two standard 
deviation values of  97.228 and the calculated threshold 
value is 154.78. 
The result from the rock geochemical analysis for Ni 
content range from 3 to 80 ppm with mean 18.33 ppm, 
two standard deviation values of  47.506 and the calculated 
threshold value is 65.837. and for Co value ranges 
from 2 to 11 ppm with mean 7.55 ppm , two standard 
deviation values of  5.086 and the calculated threshold 
value is 12.642 respectively. Gold, Copper, zinc and lead 
show that geochemical data analyses result the area with 
sufficient mineral resources because of  the mineralized 
core samples have higher threshold value for gold, lead 
copper and zinc value. 
The high concentration of  iron is result of  ferriginazition 
type of  alteration in the study area. The threshold value 
calculated from the mean and median plus two standard 
deviations (Rose et al. 1979).

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Table 2: Rock geochemical analysis
Rock Id Au Ag Cu Co Ni Pb Zn Fe
CFN-01 0.09 1.1 90 10 13 79 170 63225
CFN-02 0.02 3.4 240 7 13 32 32 9933
CFN-03 0.02 0.9 29 8 3 5 57 64092
CFN-04 0.02 0.7 27 7 9 4 24 18971
CFN-05 0.05 3.4 170 11 80 7 35 8741
CFN-06 0.33 1 34 7 3 9 64 57497
CFN-07 0.02 0.02 45 2 5 4 6 479
CFN-08 0.18 1.6 69 10 35 14 107 87311
CFN-09 0.05 1.5 107 6 4 2 23 13274
Max 0.33 3.4 240 11 80 79 170 87311
min 0.02 0.02 27 2 3 2 6 479
Mean 0.08667 1.5133 90.111 7.555 18.33 17.33 57.55 35947
2STD 0.198 2.193 137.4 5.086 47.5 46.89 97.22 60059
Threshold 0.284 3.707 227.5 12.64 65.83 64.22 154.7 96006

Table 3: showing stream sediment Geochemistry
Sample No. Au_ppm Co_ppm Cu_ppm Fe_% Ag_ppm Ni_ppm Pb_ppm Zn_ppm
FNST1 0.04 32.5 26 8.64 <0.1 36 6 95
FNST2 0.04 31.3 74 6.48 <0.1 53 11 91
FNST3 0.06 28.8 69 6.15 <0.1 48 11 85
FNST4 0.04 29.8 61 5.85 <0.1 57 11 74
FNST5 0.08 25.1 57 5.05 <0.1 51 6 64
FNST6 0.05 28.5 59 6.35 0.2 60 10 77
FNST7 0.08 26.5 52 6.15 0.2 46 11 80
FNST8 <0.01 4.6 8 1.12 <0.1 8 6 15
FNST9 0.08 21.4 37 5.13 0.2 41 9 102
FNST10 0.06 27.7 73 6.85 0.1 24 19 114
FNST11 0.01 5.7 11 1.37 <0.1 8 7 20
FNST12 <0.01 3.6 8 1.16 <0.1 8 4 9
FNST13 0.05 3.9 8 1.47 <0.1 10 7 9
FNST14 0.01 4.6 10 1.43 <0.1 11 5 12
FNST15 0.06 10.8 13 2.5 <0.1 10 4 30
FNST16 0.114 37.2 69 6.63 0.1 110 12 94
FNST17 0.97 26.2 45 5.28 0.2 58 11 63
FNST18 0.68 26.2 70 5.71 0.2 36 26 97
FNST19 0.12 43.7 59 4.64 <0.1 22 9 82
FNST20 0.12 19.7 69 5.61 0.2 24 11 88
FNST21 0.03 7.6 13 2.12 0.4 12 6 22
FNST22 0.05 21.9 68 6.21 0.1 25 25 144
Max 0.97 43.7 74 8.64 0.4 110 26 144
Min 0.01 3.6 8 1.12 0.1 8 4 9
Stdv 0.31128 12.932 26.6015 1.94678 0.2494 11.81 7.4054 42.3543
Mean 0.1372 21.2409 43.59 4.631 0.19 34.454 10.318 66.68
Threshold 0.75976 47.1049 96.793 8.52456 0.439 46.264 25.1288 151.389

Stream Sediment Geochemistry
Drainage sediment geochemistry in the study area is used 
for evaluating the mineral resources over a large area 
based on the premise that the sediment chemistry and 
mineralogy reflect the bedrock and surface geology of  
the drainage catchments area upstream from the sample 
site (Cannon et al., 2004). Be in assumption about the 
value for the standard crustal abundance value for 
Au, 0.0035ppm, Co , 29 ppm Cu, 68ppm Pb, 13ppm 
Ag,0.075ppm and Zn, 76 ppm(Fortescue, 1992, parker 
1967).
From the geochemical analysis result the maximum 

navigated result value for gold is 0.97 ppm which is 
obtained from the analysed samples taken from river 
bank around which intensive artisanal miners pan. 
Geochemical analysis result displays the value for Au 
content ranges from 0.01 to 0.97 ppm with a mean value 
of  0.1372 ppm and two standard deviation value of  
2(0.31128), the threshold value calculated from mean plus 
two standard deviation for gold is 0.7597 and standard 
crustal abundance for gold which is 0.003 ppm therefore 
the area shows negative potential for gold mineralization.
The result from the geochemical analysis for Ag content 
range from 0.1 to 0.47 ppm with mean 0.19 ppm, two 

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standard deviation values of  0.2494 and the calculated 
threshold value is 0.439 and for Co value ranges from 3.6 
to 43.7 ppm with mean 21.24 ppm , two standard deviation 
values of  2(12.932) and the calculated threshold value is 
47.1049 respectively. From the geochemical analysis for 
Pb range from 4 to 26 ppm with mean values of  10.318 
ppm , two standard deviation values of  2(7.4054) and the 
calculated threshold value is 25.1288 and the result from 
the geochemical analysis for Cu ranges from 8 to 74 ppm 
with mean value of  43.59 ppm , two standard deviation 
values of  2(26.6015) and the calculated threshold value 
is 96.78 , the result from the geochemical analysis for 
Zn value ranges from 9 to 1744 ppm with mean 66.68 

Figure 1.12: Histogram for gold concentration from the 
stream sediment

Table 4: Soil Geochemistry
SampleID Au_ppm Ag_ppm Co_ppm Cu_ppm Fe_% Zn_ppm Ni_ppm Pb_ppm
FNS1 0.12 0.3 11.7 52 2.96 95 29 9
FNS2 0.28 0.2 32.1 69 6.52 91 88 9
FNS3 0.21 0.2 16 52 3.86 85 37 11
FNS4 0.05 0.3 15.1 53 3.23 74 57 7
FNS5 0.06 0.2 18.1 36 4.01 64 58 9
FNS6 0.11 X 12.3 20 4.22 77 19 18
FNS7 0.16 0.2 26 95 7.92 80 47 10
FNS8 0.6 0.3 22.3 31 5.65 15 21 9
FNS9 0.7 0.1 19.8 68 4.94 102 35 11
FNS10 0.9 X 15.6 36 4.89 114 27 6
FNS11 0.4 0.1 19.4 52 5.26 20 28 18
FNS12 0.11 <0.1 19.6 61 4.66 9 73 8
FNS13 0.55 0.2 16.4 58 4.98 9 25 36
FNS14 0.78 0.1 30.7 89 5.97 12 94 13
FNS15 0.06 <0.1 22.3 115 6.27 30 33 6
FNS16 0.04 0.2 19.9 93 4.83 94 45 17
FNS17 0.02 0.3 16.4 84 4.66 63 18 13
FNS18 0.87 0.3 22.8 85 4.97 97 67 48
FNS19 0.05 <0.1 15.3 108 4.37 82 61 5
Max 0.9 0.3 32.1 115 7.92 114 94 48
Min 0.02 0.1 11.7 20 2.96 9 18 5
FNST22 0.05 21.9 68 6.21 0.1 25 25 144
Max 0.97 43.7 74 8.64 0.4 110 26 144
Min 0.01 3.6 8 1.12 0.1 8 4 9
2(Stdv) 0.6068 0.1484 10.775 52.21 2.28 69.826 45.064 21.08
Mean 0.3194 0.214 19.56 66.15 4.96 63.8 45.36 13.84
Threshold 0.9262 0.3624 30.33 118.36 7.24 133.62 90.424 34.9

ppm, two standard deviation values of  2(42.3543) and the 
calculated threshold value is 75.69.
From the stream sediment data it is concluded that the 
gold, zinc and lead shows enriched geochemical data 
analyses result the area with sufficient mineral resources 
because of  the mineralized core samples have higher 
threshold value for gold, lead and zinc value. Whereas Co 
and Cu are depleted because the threshold value below the 
standard crustal abundance.
It can be seen from the histogram that the distribution 
of  Au and base metal minerals in the study area does not 
conform to normal distribution. Therefore, it is reasonable 
to use the uniform abnormal threshold in the study area.

Soil Geochemistry result
The threshold for Au is 0.926 ppm and maximum is 0.9 

ppm, for Pb threshold is 34 ppm whereas the maximum 
is 48 ppm, for Cu threshold is 118.3 ppm and maximum 
value is 115 ppm respectively, for Zn threshold value is 
133.6 ppm and maximum value 114ppm respectively, for 
Ag threshold value is 0.3624 ppm and the threshold value 
for is 30.33 ppm respectively. Therefore it is concluded 
that in the study area from the soil data Au, Pb, Zn and Co 
shows enrichment where as Cu, Ag and Mn are depleted.
Geochemical map shows high gold concentration in the 
streams near to metavolcanic rocks and slate phyllite rocks 
which are frequently intruded by quartz veins in central 
and southeastern part of  the study area. The quaternary 
deposits also contain enormous gold concentration 
locating around the river banks. The gold concentration 
is low in the streams near to the granodioritic rock and in 
the limestone.

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Cu & Zn concentration is high in the streams flowing 
through slate phyllitic and granodioritic rock as shown in 
the geochemical map. But both concentrations of  Cu & 
Zn in streams flowing through felsic metavolcanic rocks 
ranges from low concentration in northern part of  the 
study to high concentration in the central part of  the 
study area.
Co concentration is very high in the streams flowing 
through slate phyllite rocks and river banks. But in the 
stream near to felsic metavolcanic rocks Co ranges from 
low concentration to high concentration as shown in the 
geochemical map.
Ni concentration is high in the stream sediment samples 

engaged from the mafic metavolcanic rocks with low 
concentration in the streams of  felsic metavolcanic and 
granodioritic rocks.
Mn concentration is moderate to high in streams flowing 
through both felsic and mafic metavolcanic rocks. There 
is low concentration of  Mn for quaternary deposits (river 
area).
Geochemical map data illustrates element concentration 
ranges designated as high background and low 
background areas based on the average back ground 
value and anomalies values. The demarcated geochemical 
map showing concentration and distribution of  gold and 
base metal for the samples is presented in map as follows:

Figure 1.14: Geochemical map A. Au B. Mn C. Zn D.Cu E. Co F. Pb

The potential source rocks in the study area for base metal 
and gold mineralization is enriched by gold bearing quartz 
veins and associated sulfides. The association of  gold with 
sulfides and alteration pattern is comparable with other 
similar deposits. Ore mineralizations recognized from 
ore petrography, geochemical survey results of  stream 
sediment, and rock samples reveal several indications 
for the base metal and gold mineralization in the study 

area. Though the concentration of  the base metals and 
gold is not as such considerable, this may show that 
either the mineralization is too low or the high mobility 
of  copper and zinc and high mechanical resistance of  
lead and gold for transportation may lead to the low 
concentration of  the metals in the stream sediments. Soil 
geochemical results on the hand show relatively moderate 
concentration as compared to stream sediment sample 

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results that reveals low to moderate mineralization had 
been take place in the study area.
The assay results from sampling campaign and geological 
mapping indicate that there is high mineralization zone in 
the area. The most significant mineralization is Cu and Zn 
mineralization as shown by geochemical analyses result 
with low Au content in the felsic granitic rock. The copper 
mineralisation is associated with disseminated pyrite, 
chalcopyrite and sphalerite both in metasedimentary 
(sandstone to mudstone) and greenschist host rocks.
The alteration and mineralisation of  the sampled rocks 
indicate that the area has been subjected to hydrothermal 
alteration. Confidence in the assay results is strengthened 
by the outcrops (intensity of  sulphide-bearing quartz 
vein) and polished section scale mineralization where 
significant sulphide mineralization were observed. In 
addition, widespread alteration zone within the area is 
also support the promising mineralization occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS
Geologically the area covered with low grade metamorphic 
rocks of  Arabian Nubian shield type. The dominant 
lithology units are categorized into Meta volcanic and 
Meta sedimentary rocks (slate and phyllite) but there 
are also eminent limestone and sandstone which are 
intruded by granitic body. The meta volcanic and meta 
sedimentary rocks are frequenty cut by quartz veins with 
different orientation measurements which the source 
for hydrothermally originated mineral deposits. on the 
result, nickel and cobalt are highly anomalous elements 
indicating the source for the mineralization controlled by 
different structures such as fractures and joints.
Artisanal miners especially for gold in the study area 
is regularly practiced by the communities especially 
in summer or rainy season the number of  population 
increases. There are around 10,000 peoples who live by 
both farming and mining in the study area which may 
called as farming miners or mining farmers.
The ore petrography of  study indicates presence of  pyrite, 
pyrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena and gold crystals under 
microscope. From the geochemical analysis result of  rock, 
stream sediment and soil samples by conventional statics 
the threshold for gold, copper and zinc is enriched or 
positive anomaly indicating zone of  high mineralization. 
Whereas cobalt and lead shows depled mineralization.

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