Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia

Mitiku Tamene; Wakjira Tesfaye

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16

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Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia

Mitiku Tamene^*

, Wakjira Tesfaye

Published in Science Discovery Environment (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 2 January 2026 Accepted: 29 January 2026 Published: 11 February 2026

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Abstract

The Kenticha pegmatite deposits, which are known as world-class rare element deposits of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) type, occur in the Adola Belt, specifically within Ethiopia. This report presents a comprehensive geological, geochemical assessment of pegmatite deposits of feldspar-quartz composition, which occur in the Gara Kenticha serpentinite massif. The study has been done by analyzing five principal pegmatite veins, whose orientation, geochemical differentiation, and estimates of mineral composition have been determined. The chemical analysis of 12 representative pegmatite samples indicates that the region has high-quality feldspar of 17.2% Al₂O₃, 13.5% total alkalis, and very low Fe₂⁺ oxide of less than 0.3%. The massif has been estimated to contain 7.2 million tons of high-quality pure quartz, while that of the major pegmatite deposits is over 2.7 million tons of feldspar deposits. Geochemically, the pegmatite deposits were formed as a consequence of post-collisional extension of the East African Orogeny at 530 Ma, which was due to extreme fractionation of peraluminous granitic magma. Although of high geological feasibility, development of this project is currently impeded by socio-economic conditions of development of the Guji zone as well as by its centralized regulation. This report combines mineralogical information available with industrial standards to promote the development of local processing plants, which could be a boost for the industrial mineral industry in Ethiopia.

Published in	Science Discovery Environment (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16
Page(s)	65-72
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Geology, Geochemistry, Feldspar, Quartz, Pegmatite, Serpentinite

References

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[2]	Porter, T. M. (2025). Kenticha - PorterGeo Database - Ore deposit description. PorterGeo Database. http://www.portergeo.com.au/
[3]	Küster, D., et al. (2009). The Kenticha rare-element pegmatite, Ethiopia: Internal differentiation, geochemical evolution and age. Applied Earth Science, 118(3), 111-124. https://doi.org/10.1179/174327509X12562143711904
[4]	World Bank. (2014). Ethiopia mining sector development: Policy and legislative options report. Open Knowledge Repository. https://doi.org/10.1596/25394
[5]	Karaman, S., et al. (2006). Feldspar: The backbone of the ceramic and porcelain industry. Industrial Minerals, 463, 40-47.
[6]	World Bank. (2016). Ethiopia mineral sector review. World Bank Documents & Reports. https://documents.worldbank.org/
[7]	REACH. (2025). Needs assessment report (2024-2025) Guji and West Guji, Oromia, Ethiopia. ReliefWeb.
[8]	Tadesse, S. (1999). Geology, geochemistry and genesis of tantalite deposit of the Kenticha area, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 29(4), 647-658. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(99)00122-7
[9]	Sabov, Y. V., Mohammed, S., Kal, T. E., & Wale, H. (1985). Bombowoha kaolin & Kenticha feldspar-quartz deposits, Sidamo administrative region (Technical Report). Ethiopian Mineral Resources Development Corporation (Unpublished).
[10]	Zewdie, S. (2023). Geology, geochemistry and geochronology of the Kenticha rare metal granite pegmatite, Adola Belt, Southern Ethiopia: A review. Open Journal of Geology, 13(5), 412-435. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2023.135019
[11]	HTMC Group. (2024). What is feldspar? Types, properties, and industrial uses. HTMC Industry Insights.
[12]	Joyye. (2023). International standards for ceramic products. Joyye Ceramics.
[13]	Ibrahim, K., et al. (2020). Characterization of the Jordanian feldspar raw materials for application in the ceramic and glass industries. International Journal of Mineralogy. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8816823
[14]	Yihunie, A. D. (2019). Evaluation of Kenticha pegmatite as a source of feldspar and quartz for ceramics. Elixir Geology, 137, 53920-53925. https://www.elixirpublishers.com/articles/1672997431_201912004.pdf
[15]	Küster, D., et al. (2007). Geochemical evolution and age of the Kenticha tantalum pegmatite, southern Ethiopia. 9th International Congress for Applied Mineralogy.
[16]	Tadesse, S., & Zerihun, D. (1996). Simplified geological sketch map of the Kenticha pegmatite field. ResearchGate.
[17]	Doyo, A. (2022). Assessing the effects of gold mining on environment: A case study of Shakiso district, Guji zone, Ethiopia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34567.89012
[18]	United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. (2023). Ethiopia's mining sector has potential to stimulate economic growth & poverty reduction. UNECA Press Release.
[19]	The Reporter Ethiopia. (2024, May 15). Ministry orders Kenticha Mining to surrender license in increasingly tangled investment saga. The Reporter.
[20]	Addis Fortune. (2022, November 10). Tantalum joint investment attracts only one offer. Addis Fortune.
[21]	Besada, H. (2021). Mineral-resources extraction, political economy and political risks in the Horn of Africa. African Geographical Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2021.1924567
[22]	Worku, M. (2024). Geo-environmental and socio-economic impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining in Ethiopia: Challenges, opportunities, and sustainable solutions. Journal of Sustainable Mining. https://doi.org/10.4687/jsm.2024.123
[23]	El-Rehiem, F. A. (2012). Quartz-feldspar separation for the glass and ceramics industries. Separation & Purification Reviews, 41(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1080/15422119.2011.583155

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Tamene, M., Tesfaye, W. (2026). Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia. Science Discovery Environment, 1(1), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16

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ACS Style

Tamene, M.; Tesfaye, W. Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia. Sci. Discov. Environ. 2026, 1(1), 65-72. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16

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AMA Style

Tamene M, Tesfaye W. Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia. Sci Discov Environ. 2026;1(1):65-72. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16

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@article{10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16,
  author = {Mitiku Tamene and Wakjira Tesfaye},
  title = {Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia},
  journal = {Science Discovery Environment},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {65-72},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sdenv.20260101.16},
  abstract = {The Kenticha pegmatite deposits, which are known as world-class rare element deposits of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) type, occur in the Adola Belt, specifically within Ethiopia. This report presents a comprehensive geological, geochemical assessment of pegmatite deposits of feldspar-quartz composition, which occur in the Gara Kenticha serpentinite massif. The study has been done by analyzing five principal pegmatite veins, whose orientation, geochemical differentiation, and estimates of mineral composition have been determined. The chemical analysis of 12 representative pegmatite samples indicates that the region has high-quality feldspar of 17.2% Al2O3, 13.5% total alkalis, and very low Fe2+ oxide of less than 0.3%. The massif has been estimated to contain 7.2 million tons of high-quality pure quartz, while that of the major pegmatite deposits is over 2.7 million tons of feldspar deposits. Geochemically, the pegmatite deposits were formed as a consequence of post-collisional extension of the East African Orogeny at 530 Ma, which was due to extreme fractionation of peraluminous granitic magma. Although of high geological feasibility, development of this project is currently impeded by socio-economic conditions of development of the Guji zone as well as by its centralized regulation. This report combines mineralogical information available with industrial standards to promote the development of local processing plants, which could be a boost for the industrial mineral industry in Ethiopia.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia
AU  - Mitiku Tamene
AU  - Wakjira Tesfaye
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PY  - 2026
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DO  - 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16
T2  - Science Discovery Environment
JF  - Science Discovery Environment
JO  - Science Discovery Environment
SP  - 65
EP  - 72
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16
AB  - The Kenticha pegmatite deposits, which are known as world-class rare element deposits of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) type, occur in the Adola Belt, specifically within Ethiopia. This report presents a comprehensive geological, geochemical assessment of pegmatite deposits of feldspar-quartz composition, which occur in the Gara Kenticha serpentinite massif. The study has been done by analyzing five principal pegmatite veins, whose orientation, geochemical differentiation, and estimates of mineral composition have been determined. The chemical analysis of 12 representative pegmatite samples indicates that the region has high-quality feldspar of 17.2% Al2O3, 13.5% total alkalis, and very low Fe2+ oxide of less than 0.3%. The massif has been estimated to contain 7.2 million tons of high-quality pure quartz, while that of the major pegmatite deposits is over 2.7 million tons of feldspar deposits. Geochemically, the pegmatite deposits were formed as a consequence of post-collisional extension of the East African Orogeny at 530 Ma, which was due to extreme fractionation of peraluminous granitic magma. Although of high geological feasibility, development of this project is currently impeded by socio-economic conditions of development of the Guji zone as well as by its centralized regulation. This report combines mineralogical information available with industrial standards to promote the development of local processing plants, which could be a boost for the industrial mineral industry in Ethiopia.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Mitiku Tamene

Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3024-376X
Wakjira Tesfaye

Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-5459-4417

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APA Style

Tamene, M., Tesfaye, W. (2026). Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia. Science Discovery Environment, 1(1), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16

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ACS Style

Tamene, M.; Tesfaye, W. Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia. Sci. Discov. Environ. 2026, 1(1), 65-72. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16

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AMA Style

Tamene M, Tesfaye W. Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia. Sci Discov Environ. 2026;1(1):65-72. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16

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@article{10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16,
  author = {Mitiku Tamene and Wakjira Tesfaye},
  title = {Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia},
  journal = {Science Discovery Environment},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {65-72},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sdenv.20260101.16},
  abstract = {The Kenticha pegmatite deposits, which are known as world-class rare element deposits of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) type, occur in the Adola Belt, specifically within Ethiopia. This report presents a comprehensive geological, geochemical assessment of pegmatite deposits of feldspar-quartz composition, which occur in the Gara Kenticha serpentinite massif. The study has been done by analyzing five principal pegmatite veins, whose orientation, geochemical differentiation, and estimates of mineral composition have been determined. The chemical analysis of 12 representative pegmatite samples indicates that the region has high-quality feldspar of 17.2% Al2O3, 13.5% total alkalis, and very low Fe2+ oxide of less than 0.3%. The massif has been estimated to contain 7.2 million tons of high-quality pure quartz, while that of the major pegmatite deposits is over 2.7 million tons of feldspar deposits. Geochemically, the pegmatite deposits were formed as a consequence of post-collisional extension of the East African Orogeny at 530 Ma, which was due to extreme fractionation of peraluminous granitic magma. Although of high geological feasibility, development of this project is currently impeded by socio-economic conditions of development of the Guji zone as well as by its centralized regulation. This report combines mineralogical information available with industrial standards to promote the development of local processing plants, which could be a boost for the industrial mineral industry in Ethiopia.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia
AU  - Mitiku Tamene
AU  - Wakjira Tesfaye
Y1  - 2026/02/11
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16
T2  - Science Discovery Environment
JF  - Science Discovery Environment
JO  - Science Discovery Environment
SP  - 65
EP  - 72
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16
AB  - The Kenticha pegmatite deposits, which are known as world-class rare element deposits of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) type, occur in the Adola Belt, specifically within Ethiopia. This report presents a comprehensive geological, geochemical assessment of pegmatite deposits of feldspar-quartz composition, which occur in the Gara Kenticha serpentinite massif. The study has been done by analyzing five principal pegmatite veins, whose orientation, geochemical differentiation, and estimates of mineral composition have been determined. The chemical analysis of 12 representative pegmatite samples indicates that the region has high-quality feldspar of 17.2% Al2O3, 13.5% total alkalis, and very low Fe2+ oxide of less than 0.3%. The massif has been estimated to contain 7.2 million tons of high-quality pure quartz, while that of the major pegmatite deposits is over 2.7 million tons of feldspar deposits. Geochemically, the pegmatite deposits were formed as a consequence of post-collisional extension of the East African Orogeny at 530 Ma, which was due to extreme fractionation of peraluminous granitic magma. Although of high geological feasibility, development of this project is currently impeded by socio-economic conditions of development of the Guji zone as well as by its centralized regulation. This report combines mineralogical information available with industrial standards to promote the development of local processing plants, which could be a boost for the industrial mineral industry in Ethiopia.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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