The rapid industrialization of Ethiopia, catalyzed by major infrastructure projects like the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Koysha Hydroelectric Dam, Road and Railway Expansion, and Industrial Parks has necessitated a strategic shift toward domestic raw material sourcing for cement production. This study evaluates the technical and mineralogical viability of Dodola iron ore, hosted within the Precambrian meta-gabbro suites of the Bale Administrative Region, as a sustainable iron corrective for Portland cement clinker. Quantitative geochemical analysis reveals a distinctive composition characterized by an average total iron (Fesub2/subOsub3/sub) content of 45.6% and a significant titanium dioxide (TiOsub2/sub) concentration of 11.12%. While standard industrial thresholds typically limit TiOsub2/sub to less than 1.0%, this research demonstrates that at controlled concentrations, the titanium acts as a potent mineralizer that reduces the clinker melt viscosity and lowers the liquid phase formation temperature by 50°C to 100°C. This soft burning effect optimizes kiln efficiency, facilitates a potential 6.44% increase in alite content, and reduces the carbon footprint associated with high-heat calcination and long-range logistics. The integration of Dodola iron ore into a recalibrated raw mix offers a dual benefit of improving clinker reactivity while aligning the Ethiopian cement sector with national Green Growth and circular economy objectives.
Tamene et al. (Thu,) studied this question.