P16: Economic Value and Mineral Content of Gabbro Rocks in Wadi Al Qor, North Hatta Area, UAE

Bahaa Eldin M. Amin, Amira A. Alnaqbi, Nouf T. Alblooshi, Riham Elnahas Ali, Aishah R. Alhindaassi, Shamma A.R. Alzaabi

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

The ophiolitic rocks of the NE part of the Oman Mountains in the UAE comprise well-preserved mantle and crustal sequences of Cretaceous age. This obducted oceanic unit is known as the Semail Ophiolite. It consists dominantly of mantle peridotite and crustal gabbros. The mafic rocks consist mainly layered and non-layered gabbros comprising olivine gabbro, normal gabbro, leuco-gabbro and anorthosite. The cumulus sequence consists of a lower most unit of layered peridotites and an uppermost unit of layered gabbro. This research clarifies the potential of this important group of UAE rocks as valuable economic metalliferous and aggregate/building stone resources. The target rocks of this study the gabbros and anorthosites of Wadi Al Qor area, north of the town of Hatta. In the study area, the rocks are not suitable for aggregate production, as many of them are relatively soft, crumbly, often rusty-brown coloured and fractured. However, these rocks are commonly inter-layered with gabbro on a small scale, making it impossible to avoid them during quarrying operations. Many other types of stones are available, such as gabbro, anorthosite and dunite, which can be used as construction materials. The stones used for building construction should be hard, durable, tough, and should be free from weathered soft patches of material, cracks, and other defects that are responsible for the reduction of strength and durability. Stones for construction purposes are obtained by quarrying from solid massive rocks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages346-350
Number of pages5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event7th International Conference on Engineering Geophysics, ICEG 2023 - Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Oct 16 2023Oct 19 2023

Conference

Conference7th International Conference on Engineering Geophysics, ICEG 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityAl Ain City
Period10/16/2310/19/23

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics

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