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<p>The Wonchit River Valley in the Blue Nile Basin of central Ethiopia exposes extensive Mesozoic sedimentary sequences dominated by the Antalo Limestone Formation, a major carbonate resource. This study presents an integrated geological and industrial assessment based on 1:25,000 scale mapping, stratigraphic logging, petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), geochemistry, and physical property analysis. Three lithostratigraphic units were identified: (i) Antalo Limestone, (ii) mudstone–claystone succession, and (iii) overlying sandstone with fluvial deposits. The Antalo Limestone forms cliff- and bench-forming units (~ 90&#xa0;m thick) composed of micrite, skeletal wackestone, and bioclastic packstone facies, indicating deposition in a shallow marine carbonate shelf environment. XRD results show calcite dominance (&gt; 95 wt%) with negligible dolomite and minor quartz. Geochemical analysis indicates CaO (52.44–55.02 wt%), LOI (40.45–43.07 wt%), and very low Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ (&lt; 0.5 wt%). Bulk density ranges from 2.46 to 2.65&#xa0;g/cm³, with low moisture content (0.06–0.42 wt%). Sulfur content is negligible (&lt; 0.01 wt%). Volumetric resource estimation indicates an inferred reserve of ~ 325.6&#xa0;million tons. The high purity, favorable physical properties, and low impurities confirm strong suitability for cement, lime, metallurgical flux, agricultural, and construction applications. The study provides a robust framework for sustainable limestone resource development in central Ethiopia.</p>

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Geological investigation and industrial applications of Antalo Limestone, Wonchit River Valley, Blue Nile Basin, central Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月20日

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  • Bishaw Mihret,
  • Ajebush Wuletaw

摘要

The Wonchit River Valley in the Blue Nile Basin of central Ethiopia exposes extensive Mesozoic sedimentary sequences dominated by the Antalo Limestone Formation, a major carbonate resource. This study presents an integrated geological and industrial assessment based on 1:25,000 scale mapping, stratigraphic logging, petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), geochemistry, and physical property analysis. Three lithostratigraphic units were identified: (i) Antalo Limestone, (ii) mudstone–claystone succession, and (iii) overlying sandstone with fluvial deposits. The Antalo Limestone forms cliff- and bench-forming units (~ 90 m thick) composed of micrite, skeletal wackestone, and bioclastic packstone facies, indicating deposition in a shallow marine carbonate shelf environment. XRD results show calcite dominance (> 95 wt%) with negligible dolomite and minor quartz. Geochemical analysis indicates CaO (52.44–55.02 wt%), LOI (40.45–43.07 wt%), and very low Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ (< 0.5 wt%). Bulk density ranges from 2.46 to 2.65 g/cm³, with low moisture content (0.06–0.42 wt%). Sulfur content is negligible (< 0.01 wt%). Volumetric resource estimation indicates an inferred reserve of ~ 325.6 million tons. The high purity, favorable physical properties, and low impurities confirm strong suitability for cement, lime, metallurgical flux, agricultural, and construction applications. The study provides a robust framework for sustainable limestone resource development in central Ethiopia.