Geology and Gold Mineralization in the Pan-African Rocks of the Adola Area, Southern Ethiopia

Primary and placer gold deposits are mined from the Pan-African Adola volcano-sedimentary sequence, in southern Ethiopia. Two major mineralized belts can be recognized: the Megado (‘Gold Belt’) and the Kenticha Belts. The Kenticha Belt is also known for its rare metal mineralization. Extensive exploration of the area resulted in two most important primary gold deposits of Lega Dembi and Sakaro. The primary gold deposits are classified into four classes based on their geological setting: ferous veins, lodes, stockworks and silicified zones disseminated in schistose rocks associated with quartzite mineralization confined to conglomerates and meta-arkoses ferous quartz veins in high grade gneiss rocks lassification provides a useful guide for future exploration programme