Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Silica Sand Deposits in Mugar, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

The industrialization of the Ethiopian economy necessitates the identification and characterization of high-purity mineral resources to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on expensive imports. This research provides a comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the silica sand deposits located in the Mugar area, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The study focuses on the Koffe-Mute sector within the Mesozoic sedimentary architecture of the Abay (Blue Nile) Basin. Analytical techniques including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF and granulometric sieving were utilized to evaluate the suitability of these sands for industrial applications, specifically glass and ceramic manufacturing. The results indicate that the Mugar silica sand is exceptionally pure, with quartz content ranging from 96% to 98% and silicon dioxide (SiOsub2/sub) concentrations averaging above 96%. Major impurities, primarily Fesub2/subOsub3/sub, range from 0.08% to 0.33%, falling within acceptable limits for sheet and container glass production. Mineralogical analysis reveals high crystallinity and high textural maturity, with sub-rounded to well-rounded grains. Physical property assessments show that over 75% of the grain size distribution falls within the 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm range, which is ideal for efficient melting in glass furnaces. The study concludes that the Mugar deposit represents a strategic resource for the national mineral development strategy, offering significant potential for import substitution in the burgeoning Ethiopian glass and construction sectors. Beneficiation strategies, particularly acid leaching, are recommended to further elevate the purity for specialized high-tech applications.