Epithermal Gold Occurrences in the Lakes District of the Main Ethiopian Rift and Tendaho (Afar rift): Discovery of a metallogenic province

Plio-Quaternary volcanic products cover a large part of the MER. Epithermal gold occurrences related to Quaternary volcanics are being intensively studied for their precious metal potential. Adularia-sericite type occurrences have been found. Analyses of 579 core and cutting samples collected for exploratory geothermal studies from a number of localities (Gedemsa, Aluto and Corbetti calderas, and the Tendaho graben, Afar) were analyzed for gold. The results showed gold concentrations from 100 ppb to 440 ppb. Values between 200 and 300 ppb are common. The overall characteristics of these occurrences, of the Quaternary central volcanoes within the MER, and related epithermal processes seem to delineate an individual metallogenic province, unusual for the present Ethiopian metallogenic scenery. A new field of investigation is probably emerging. A study of these phenomena, in light of recent acquisitions in metallogenic knowledge, could be of interest both for further scientific studies and for new possibilities in mining activity