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Open Access Research Article

Rock Mechanical Properties and Resource Potential of Dimensional Stone and Terrazzo in Tigray, Ethiopia: A Geological and Geomechanical Assessment

by Zelealem Haftu 1 ,  Nageswara Rao Cheepurupalli 2,* ,  Yewuhalashet Fissha 3 ,  Sri Chandrahas N 4  and  Blessing Olamide Taiwo 5
1
Department of Geology, Aksum University, School of Mine, Shire, Tigray, Ethiopia.
2
Associate professor Department of Mineral processing and Metallurgical Engineering, Aksum University, Ethiopia
3
Department of Geosciences, Geotechnology, and Materials Engineering for Resources, Graduate School of International Resource Sciences, Akita University, Akita 010-8502, Japan.
4
Department of Mining Engineering, Malla Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad 500100, India
5
Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria.
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
RML  2024 1(1):4; https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202401.4
Received: 20 September 2024 / Accepted: 3 October 2024 / Published Online: 9 October 2024
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Abstract

Dimension stone and terrazzo are quarried rocks following specific dimensions, generally huge in tonnage than ore minerals. Dimension stone and Terrazo resource development opportunities in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, are studied regarding their potential to make dimension and terrazzo, geology and deposit nature, physio-mechanical properties, rock petrography, and opportunity for exploitation. The granite and marble are quarried as dimension stones and they meet the quality parameters of the rocks, which include, being durable, easy to quarry, work, cut, and polish. It was conducted through the integration of new geological descriptions, interpretation of thin sections, and physico-mechanical tests. Both surface and quarry rock samples were used for the study. 15 from granite and 15 from marble deposits in total 30 samples were used for petrographic analysis and physico-mechanical tests. Based on petrographic and physicomechanical results, granite is harder than marble this may be due to silicates being less dissolved than carbonates. The accessory minerals in both granite and marble deposits limit the quality of the deposits as being impurities. The integrated results indicate that the marble and granite deposits in the area are good in quality and quantity. In addition, they are geologically widespread, technologically do not need sophisticated technology and economically they do not need huge investment and have less effect upon the environment. Diamond wire saws and diamond belt saws separated the dimension stone, which are oblate to curved in shape with 1m width. In the area, investment has been at a relatively low stage more investment will significantly increase production of the dimension stone for local usage, export, and economic growth of the region.

Keywords: Quarry; Dimension stone; Terrazo; Geology; Resources; Petrography; Deposit; Tigray; Ethiopia;
Copyright: © 2024 by Haftu, Cheepurupalli, Fissha, N and Taiwo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
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ACS Style
Haftu, Z.; Cheepurupalli, N. R.; Fissha, Y.; N, S. C.; Taiwo, B. O. Rock Mechanical Properties and Resource Potential of Dimensional Stone and Terrazzo in Tigray, Ethiopia: A Geological and Geomechanical Assessment. Rock Mechanics Letters, 2024, 1, 4. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202401.4
AMA Style
Haftu Z, Cheepurupalli N R, Fissha Y, N S C, Taiwo B O. Rock Mechanical Properties and Resource Potential of Dimensional Stone and Terrazzo in Tigray, Ethiopia: A Geological and Geomechanical Assessment. Rock Mechanics Letters; 2024, 1(1):4. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202401.4
Chicago/Turabian Style
Haftu, Zelealem; Cheepurupalli, Nageswara R.; Fissha, Yewuhalashet; N, Sri C.; Taiwo, Blessing O. 2024. "Rock Mechanical Properties and Resource Potential of Dimensional Stone and Terrazzo in Tigray, Ethiopia: A Geological and Geomechanical Assessment" Rock Mechanics Letters 1, no.1:4. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202401.4
APA Style
Haftu, Z., Cheepurupalli, N. R., Fissha, Y., N, S. C., & Taiwo, B. O. (2024). Rock Mechanical Properties and Resource Potential of Dimensional Stone and Terrazzo in Tigray, Ethiopia: A Geological and Geomechanical Assessment. Rock Mechanics Letters, 1(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202401.4

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