Geology
Reading the Sanaag gemstone belt: pegmatites, structure and where to look
Golis Minerals · 2 May 2026
The gemstone occurrences of Sanaag sit within a belt of Neoproterozoic basement cut by later pegmatites. Mineralisation clusters where pegmatites intrude reactive mafic and ultramafic host rocks along structural corridors.
A workable target ranking combines three inputs: proximity to mapped pegmatite swarms, the presence of favourable host lithology, and structural complexity visible in high-resolution imagery. Ground follow-up then focuses on colour, clarity and continuity in shallow pits.
The belt rewards systematic reconnaissance. Historic digging is a guide, not a boundary; some of the most promising ground sits well away from any known workings.
General information on Somaliland's minerals sector, drawn from published sources. It is not legal, geological or investment advice, and has not been reviewed by a qualified person unless stated.
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