A review of the geological characteristics and resource potential analysis of potash deposits in Africa

Abstract

Globally, potash resources are distributed unevenly, with most of its reserves and output are mainly concentrated in a few countries and companies. Finding new supply sites for potash resources is an important task for geologists due to scarcity of potash resources in the world. Africa, rich in potash reserves, predominantly harbours them in countries such as Congo (Brazzaville), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Morocco, among others. The main periods from which potassium formations are found are the Cretaceous, Neogene, Quaternary and Triassic. The geological conditions of potash mineralization in Africa are excellent. For instance, the arid and hot environment induced seawater evaporation, and extensional tectonics led to the formation of numerous fault depressions, and multi-stage transgression events created favorable conditions for the eventual formation of potash reserves in Africa. The North sub-basin of the Gabon-Congo Basin in West Africa, the central region of the Danakil Basin in East Africa and the dry salt lake area in Northwest Africa are thought to be promising locations for potash exploration based on the examination of the geological features, deposit types, and metallogenetic potential of typical potash deposits (occurrences) in Africa.