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.
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