Research Article
Promoting Sustainable Gold Processing Practices: Utilizing Borax in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Operations in Benishangul Gumuz, Western Ethiopia
Misganu Kabeta*
,
Gera Techane,
Meaza Girmay,
Seyidu Wohabrebie,
Tatek Tadesse,
Enatfenta Melaku,
Bisrat Kebede
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-11
Received:
5 February 2026
Accepted:
20 February 2026
Published:
5 March 2026
Abstract: The Asosa Zone in Ethiopia, which is part of the Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield, is rich in metallogenic minerals, particularly gold. The Asosa Zone is the cornerstone of Ethiopia's rural economy, which employs thousands of households. Gold recovery methods have evolved over the centuries, with ancient methods being mechanical and based on density differences. The borax method is a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative technique for artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) in gold recovery. The borax method is cost-effective and energy-efficient for artisanal and small-scale gold extraction. The implementation of the Borax method faces challenges such as lack of awareness, technical knowledge, policy enforcement, and limitations, and requires technical upgrades, education, investment, and cultural resistance. Sustainable practices can be achieved through technical innovation, community engagement, policy reform, and stakeholder engagement in the implementation of the borax method of gold extraction. The assessment study was conducted in Ura Woreda, Asosa Zone, western Ethiopia, with a focus on artisanal gold production. The Agusha Kebele site is known for its significant Au deposits. Gold mining and processing are widely practiced by local small-scale miners, with women and youth actively participating in the Ura Woreda, Asosa Zone, making mining a significant source of income. This fieldwork assessment utilized various resources and equipment for gold mining, including borax chemicals, detergents, magnets, sodium chloride (NaCl), oxy-acetylene torch, clay pots, charcoal, water, generators, fuel, hammers, shovels, iron bars, and traditional ventilation. These tools enhance the separation efficiency, remove impurities and ferromagnetic metals, and protect gold during melting. The borax method is a multistep process that involves crushing and grinding ore rock into fine particles to release valuable gold minerals, sluicing or panning, washing, and adding sodium chloride, detergent, and magnets. The concentrated gold-bearing material was mixed with borax powder and heated to high temperature for smelting and refining. A charcoal-fueled furnace, built with heat-resistant bricks, uses charcoal as the primary fuel and is a cost-effective, sustainable, and locally accessible gold smelting solution in small-scale mining operations in rural areas. Ethiopia has diverse mineral resources that support the production of borax and related compounds. A field study evaluated the technical feasibility, efficiency, and environmental suitability of the borax method.
Abstract: The Asosa Zone in Ethiopia, which is part of the Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield, is rich in metallogenic minerals, particularly gold. The Asosa Zone is the cornerstone of Ethiopia's rural economy, which employs thousands of households. Gold recovery methods have evolved over the centuries, with ancient methods being mechanical and based on de...
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Review Article
Metallogenic Evolution and Geologic Controls of Uranium Mineralization in Ethiopia: A Comprehensive Review
Wakjira Tesfaye*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
12-19
Received:
18 February 2026
Accepted:
5 March 2026
Published:
14 March 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijmpem.20261101.12
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Abstract: This review provides a systematic and critical synthesis of the state of knowledge on uranium metallogeny in Ethiopia. Employing a structured methodology, we compiled and analyzed data from peer-reviewed journals, geological surveys, and technical reports to construct a coherent geological framework for uranium mineralization in the country. The review establishes that uranium mineralization in Ethiopia is primarily hosted within three principal geotectonic domains: Neoproterozoic basement rocks of the Arabian-Nubian Shield, Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary sequences, and Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary formations associated with the East African Rift System. From these domains, we identify and characterize key deposit types, including intrusive-related occurrences within granitic bodies, volcanic and sub-volcanic deposits, sandstone-hosted stratiform accumulations, and surficial calcrete-style deposits. Each type exhibits distinct lithological, structural, and geochemical controls that govern ore formation and distribution. The metallogenic evolution of these deposits is shown to be intricately linked to major tectonic cycles: the Pan-African orogeny, which generated primary enrichments; subsequent Phanerozoic basin development, which facilitated sedimentary-hosted mineralization; and Cenozoic rift-related magmatism and hydrothermal activity, which remobilized and reconcentrated uranium in younger settings. A critical analysis of the existing literature reveals significant knowledge gaps that currently hinder comprehensive resource assessment. These deficiencies include a lack of precise geochronological constraints on mineralization events, a poor understanding of the thermodynamic and geochemical controls on uranium mobility in different host rocks, and insufficient data on the mineralogical factors that will ultimately affect process amenability and extraction. This synthesis underscores the considerable, yet underexplored, uranium potential of Ethiopia. By consolidating disparate information, it provides a robust geological framework designed to guide future exploration strategies and mineral processing research. The review concludes by emphasizing the critical need for an integrated geology-metallurgy approach in future resource assessment to ensure that exploration is both scientifically guided and economically viable.
Abstract: This review provides a systematic and critical synthesis of the state of knowledge on uranium metallogeny in Ethiopia. Employing a structured methodology, we compiled and analyzed data from peer-reviewed journals, geological surveys, and technical reports to construct a coherent geological framework for uranium mineralization in the country. The re...
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