Silica Sand Production Potential, Quality, and Market Analysis Case Study in the Kella Locality, South Sodo District, Ethiopia

Silica Sand is an essential input material in the manufacturing of sandpaper, glass materials, abrasives, polishing powders, heat-resistant materials (refractories), and bearings of precision instruments. This mineral is found abundantly all over the world, including Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, one of the foremost potential sources of silica sand is found in Kella locality, South Sodo District, Central Ethiopian Regional State; Kella, Ethiopia. The quarry site was one of the most significant site and considerable for the glass manufacturing industry as suitable to infrastructural advantage as of it was about 115Km far apart for capital of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This study addressed Kella site silica sand potential of New Era Mining S.C. From the study area about 15 points of sampling were taken for quality analysis by AAS testing. Accordingly, the physico chemical characterization and determination of total silica content was analyzed. Based on the atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis value for the silicate composition was examined. Hence, the average silica quality was 97.21% of purity from this industrial silica sand potentials area. This implies an enabling opportunity and is promising for investment of glass manufacturing plants in the area. The production and market demand of Silica sand has been addressed globally and by regional markets. In that 50.94% and 47.77% global export was led by Indonesia & USA during 2019, and 2020 respectively.