Evaluation of Dolomitic Marble Deposits and Their Industrial Applications in Debub Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The research area is located in the Debub Omo Zone of the Southern National Regional State, within Dimeka woreda. It can be reached via a 720km road from Addis Ababa passing through Welayita Sodo, Arbaminch, Konso, and Turmi. The main objective is to delineate the marble resources and determine their industrial applications based on quality. Geological, geochemical, and physical tests revealed the presence of marble, granite, quartz, feldspar, base metals, various types of gneiss, basalts, mafic and ultramafic rocks, and alluvial sediments. The gneiss terrain is intersected by dikes and veins, and basalt layers contain gemstones such as agate. Marble occurs in white, gray, and dark colors, depending on impurities, with geochemical analysis showing CaO content between 26.68 and 35.16 wt% and MgO between 14.18 and 20.8 wt%, identifying the marble as dolomitic in origin. The marble is suitable for diverse industrial uses including dimension stone, fillers, and coloring agents in paper, cosmetics, plastics, and putty, as well as for acid neutralization in aquatic and soil environments. It also serves as an inert filler in pharmaceuticals, materials for sculptures and ornaments, calcium additives for animal feeds, and decorative building materials like floor tiles and window sills. Chemical and physical analyses confirm its suitability with some beneficiation. Approximately 8.71 million tons of indicated marble resources are estimated by section logging and profile descriptions; however, the total reserve is expected to be higher due to unassessed deposits and difficult access. Overall, the dolomitic marble deposit from dolomite origin has properties that support its application across various industries.