Physicomechanical and geochemical properties of central Tigray marble for dimension stone application

The Adi-bekli area in northern Ethiopia is recognized for its potential as a source of marble for dimension stone mining. However, the quality of the marble in this area had not been previously assessed for mining operations. A comprehensive study was therefore conducted, geological mapping with detailed geotechnical and geochemical analyses. Twenty-five rock samples were collected for each parameter and subjected to rigorous testing. The geotechnical results showed a compressive strength of 29.01–72.07 MPa, flexural strength of 7.21–16.3 MPa, abrasion resistance of 9.2–16.21, density of 2752–2900 kg/m 3 , and water absorption of 0.001–0.14. Critically, most parameters successfully met the minimum standards set by ASTM for marble dimension stone. Additionally, samples were subjected to geochemical analysis, focusing on parameters such as the presence of calcite, Cao values, LOI (loss on ignition), SiO 2 content, and other oxide concentrations. Geochemically, the analysis confirmed the marble is predominantly calcite, with CaO values reaching 54.18%. The Loss on Ignition (LOI) of up to 42.76% further supports the calcite dominance, while SiO₂ content was above 1wt% and other oxides were below this threshold. The collective findings from this research confirm that the marble deposits in the Adi-bekli area are of suitable quality and recovery potential for commercial dimension stone production. Highlights The research combined geological mapping, geotechnical testing, and geochemical analysis to assess marble quality. Geotechnical testing was performed on marble samples to measure density, water absorption, compressive strength, flexural strength, and abrasion resistance. Geochemical analysis was used to determine the marble’s composition, including calcite content, Cao levels, LOI, SiO2 concentration, and other oxide presence. The results from both geotechnical and geochemical analyses confirmed that the Adi-bekli marble meets the quality standards for dimension stone production. The marble is suitable for dimension stone production, highlighting its potential for mining and industrial use.