Silica Sand and Feldspar Resources in Ethiopia: A Review of Their Occurrence, Characteristics, Industrial Applications, and Beneficiation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Silica sand/quartz and feldspar are strategic industrial minerals that play a vital role in glass, ceramic, foundry, construction, filtration, and chemical industries. Ethiopia has abundant occurrences of these minerals across diverse geological settings, yet their industrial potential remains underutilized due to limited systematic characterization and beneficiation studies. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the geological occurrence, distribution, physicochemical characteristics, and industrial suitability of major silica sand and feldspar deposits in Ethiopia. Representative deposits including Mugher, Lemi, Fetra, Atsbi, Dire Dawa (Belewa), and Blue Nile Gorge for silica sand, and Kenticha, Shebelle, Negelle Borena, and Hamariesa for feldspar were evaluated using compiled physical parameters (grain size, shape, sorting, weathering, and bulk density) and chemical compositions (major oxides). The results indicate that Mugher, Fetra, and Lemi silica sand deposits exhibit high SiO 2 contents (>95%), favorable grain morphology, and low impurity levels, making them suitable for foundry applications, water filtration, construction, and amber and green glass production, with limited beneficiation. However, none of the studied deposits meet the stringent requirements for optical or float glass without advanced processing to reduce Fe 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 . Feldspar deposits, particularly Shebelle and Kenticha, show promising alkali and alumina contents suitable for ceramic and glass industries, though iron removal is required to meet high-grade industrial specifications. Overall, Ethiopia possesses substantial potential to substitute imported industrial minerals and develop value-added mineral industries, provided that targeted beneficiation, infrastructure development, and systematic resource evaluation are implemented.
Authors: Yohanes Sheferaw, Getnet Belachew
Institution: Geological Institute of Ethiopia
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204246927