look at different minerals Somaliland

1. An overview of the mineral potential of Somaliland August 11, 2019
The mining sector of Somaliland is
still in its infancy stage with activity
being predominantly artisanal in
nature. However, Somaliland and
Somalia overall has significant
potential, and large proportions of
its landmass have yet to be
explored. Although mining activities
in Somaliland are minimal, the
known mineral targets constitute
less than 20%. The country has
never had an overall geological and
mineralogical survey. Past
reconnaissance and exploration
efforts were erratic; something here
and something there and
unfortunately that meagre data
(though old) generated was lost
during the civil war. The known
mineral targets can be classified in
these five main categories:
1. Mining for precious and semi-precious minerals: Only artisanal miners are involved in this activity in their
search for gold, diamond, platinum and gemstones such as emerald, ruby, sapphire, tourmaline and
meteorites.
2. Industrial mineral targets include phosphates, kaolin, bentonite, potash, lithium brines, sepiolite, talc,
iguana, pegmatites and quartz.
3. Target ores: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), rutile for Titanium, tin (Sb), gold (Au) and silver (Ag)
4. Target energy minerals: These include uranium, lignite, coal, and hydrocarbons – oil and gas
5. Mining for building materials and ornamental stones: Granite, limestone, marble, kaolin and lime production

2. Mineral potential of Somaliland:
Federal Member State
non aligned neutral
Mineral potential
Somaliland (?)
Somaliland has
unilaterally declared its
independence from
Somalia. However, the
Federal Government of
Somalia wants
Somaliland to reunite
with the rest of Somalia
as a Federal Member
State.
1. Piezo-quartz and feldspar pegmatite’s and Muscovites in Lafarug and Da’ar Buruk.
There is potential for Lithium mining.
2. Gold and Pt in Arabsiya, Gabiley, Baki and Borame.
3. Base metal : Cu and Zn; auriferous (gold) or molybdenum hydrothermal
occurrences (Borislav K Kamenov)
4. Cassiterite (tin)-bearing quartz veins in the Inda Ad Series of Sanag in Dalan
5. Molybdenum, Columbite and beryllium –bearing quartz veins and pegmatites
(quartz and lithium) in the western part of the Golis Range.
6. Coal and lignite: Coal deposits with ages from Jurassic to Oligocene –Mionce occur
in Hed-Hed , north of Las Dureh, Southeast of Berbera
7. Gypsum-anhydrite deposit near Berbara
8. Beryl group gemstones, opal, tourmaline, amethyst, quartz, ruby and sapphires.
9. Iguana as fertilisers at the islands of Hiis and Maydh.
Puntland
1. Majiyahan deposit of tantalum (tin), Nb, gold (Au) and silver (Ag).
Valueimpression Placeholder
2. Dhurbo coal deposits (Two sites).
3. Qandala lead and silver deposit with zinc, iron and copper.
4. The salts of Hafun and gemstones

3. The status of the legal and the regulatory regime of Somaliland:
Mining Directorate
Mission
To promote the development, strategically manage and safeguard the rational and sustainable exploration and
exploitation of mineral resources in Somaliland in an environmentally responsible manner to benefit the nation’s
economic and social development.

4. Mining Directorate
Function and Objectives
 1. Issue and manage various mineral permits including prospecting, exploration and mining minerals
licenses.
 2. Oversee and monitor all mining exploration and exploitation operations to ensure adherence to licensing
terms and compliance with the Mining Act as well as environmental regulations.
 3. Carry out geological investigations and promotional activities to attract investment in the exploration and
development of Somaliland’s mineral resources
 4. Establish a national geoscience database by collecting, interpreting, preserving and disseminating the
information for the development of the country’s mineral resources and for public and private use.
 5. Provide effective and reliable analysis and assaying services in support of the mining sector for
institutional, public and private use.
 6. Promote the development and technical training of Somalilanders in all areas of the mining sector to
assume key positions in the industry by gradually replacing expatriate personnel.
Other parallel activities with respect to mining – Geological and mineral surveys:
Acquisition of new data through remote sensing: Somaliland will try to get funding for remote sensing, most
specifically hyperspectral remote sensing and georesonance technology that identifies subsurface technology by
their characteristic spectral signatures. Vast areas can be surveyed within weeks. As a consequence of that effort,
the Ministry of Mines and Minerals will be able to gather data on its vast mineral resources.

5. Minerals
Data collection and management related to the Minerals in Somaliland has received some technical support and is
primarily privately led. Dr. Mohamed Mattash has conducted a geological survey and basic minerals deposit
estimation analysis. Similarly, African Resources Corporation (ARC) has made a resource assessment study in some
parts of Somaliland particularly in Awdal region.
ARC has also conducted geological, and geophysical investigations; field observations on geological, geomorphologic
and structural features, verification of existing data and findings, combined with geophysical measurements
(resistivity, EM profiling, vertical electrical soundings) at selected. ARC has also made stream sedimentary and rock
sampling, and henceforth, drilled around 100 Test Wells for vein and deposit checking. These surveys have proved
Somaliland is characterized by a considerable number of metallic and non-metallic raw materials including base
metals, precious metals, gemstones as well as dimensional stones.
Data collection in related to minerals has though been limited to explorative activity with very little data currently
available and collected in relation to extraction. As with other parts of the Sector further capacity is required to
improve data management capacity. The Government in cooperation with the private sector has begun to address
these data gaps. The process to jointly collect and assess various data in relation to extractives prospecting
operations has begun.
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL AND UNDISCOVERED RESOURCES
The mining sector of Somalia is new and virgin. Over the years, it was neglected and ignored. It has an immense
potential, and there are countless options and opportunities to those who intend to invest in Somalia. The geological
evolution of Somalia, together with abundance of mineral deposits and its diversity are pointers towards rich and
massive potential destined for discoveries. Untapped and unexploited deposits include gold, anhydrite, bauxite,
columbite, copper, feldspar, iron ore, kaolin, quartz, silica sand, tantalum, thorium, tin and uranium. 3 On the
beaches of East Berbera, the presence of simpsonite (a high-grade calcic aluminium tantalite) in heavy mineral sand
deposits is reported. The mineral is found in the alluvial fans that drain from the crystalline basement. This implies
the presence of undiscovered tantalum resources in the adjacent basement.

7. Somaliland’s gold potential and the greater possibility of becoming one of the last mining destinations in East Africa.
Apart from Somaliland’s interesting geology- which offers more than 30, 000 km2 of exposed Precambrian rocks of
the favourable Arabian –Nubian shield which also forms parts of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea- the factor of
stability and peace makes the country a favoured place to do exploration and mining activity.
In country, the central government and the local villagers are upbeat about the recent mining and exploration
activities and the country ensures security for long-term investments. The opportunities for world-class discoveries
in precious metals, base metals and myriad varieties of gemstones are very high. The recently discovered gold
nuggets in Daallo, Cal Madow Mountains are about to attract the attention of major gold exploration and mining
companies from the region and from around the globe.
There are many gold potential areas in Somaliland including but not limited to:
Daallo, Cal Madow area and Maydh
Maydh village is located in Sanaag region in the eastern part of Somaliland and was recently the centre of great
interest as hundreds of gold prospectors rushed to the area after substantial amount of gold nuggets were found.
The greenstone belt geology makes Daallo, Cal Madow Maydi areas very conducive to profitable gold mineralization.
Figures 1,2 & 3 show the routes to these areas and we have JV with permit holds to explore.
Fig 1
Fig 2
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jlhtvRmUhbamKLIKTD9D6JBKKbZmbJ6c&usp=sharing

8. Recent geochemical sampling in these areas had shown numerous gold and base metal anomalies.
What is special about Minerals in Somaliland?
Geology of Somaliland records a very long history Contains crystalline rocks of Precambrian age. Contains Greenstone
belt that can potentially host significant gold deposits Late tectonic uplift and erosion Exposes deeply buried mineral
deposits Causes dispersions of metals in streams and rivers Creates diversity of mineral deposits at different levels of
Earth’s crust

9. Mineral Potential Geological environment and indications of mineralization reveal minerals of economic significance
are widespread Highly potential for the deposits of iron ore, manganese, platinum and gold-bearing veins. Several
known deposits of minerals used in industry such as lead, zinc, tantalite-columbite, tin, and quarts crystals. Somaliland
is highly prospective and under explored.
Bedrock geology of Somaliland emphasizing units important for metallic mineral deposits,Metallic Minerals are
present.The most attractive metallic mineral potential of Somaliland are: Iron ore, manganese, platinum, lead, zinc
and gold-bearing veins. Tin, tungsten and molybdenum (Mo)Tantalite-columbite
Non-Metallic Minerals: Very large resources of marble, limestone and dolomite. A cement plant with an annual
capacity of 300,000 tonnes has operated since 1987 in Berbera. Gypsum – huge deposit close to Berbera. Heavy
mineral sands containing ilmenite, rutile, zircon titanite, and titaniferous magnetite. Gemstones including amethyst,
aquamarine, emerald, garnet, opal, ruby, and sapphire. Gypsum, SE Berbera Amethyst
Conclusions Considerable hydrocarbons could be accumulated in Somaliland basins. Somaliland is highly prospective
to host abundant deposits of base metals, precious metals, heavy minerals, rare earths, coal, non-metallic and
gemstone.

11. PLEASE REVIEW IN GOOGLE EARTH
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