GHEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION IN DR CONGOMINISTRY OF RESOURCES HYDRAULICS &ELECTRICITY

        Mr.  KAFINDO  RAPHAEL                                                           ARGEOC5 Tanzania  Arusha) 

                  27th oct. to2nd Nov. 2014

Outline

1. Introduction 2. Location 3. Potential4. Challenges5. Conclusions

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INTRODUCTION  •Land locked country

•Great Lakes region of Africa

•Area: 2.345.000 Km2

•Population: 70.000.000 Inhabitants (2012) 

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ENERGY SITUATION IN DR CONGO 95% Biomass 3% Hydrocarbons  2% Hydropower stations.

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VIRUNGA VOLCANIC CHAIN

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The Virunga Volcanic chain is situated in the western branch of the East African Rift System with active volcanism.

 Nyirangongo and Nyamulagira (DRC) are the only volcanoes still active in the surrounding Area.

 That Activity is confirmed by recent eruptions (January 1977,2002 and 2010), tremors, gas explosions during the night and Earthquakes.

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The DRC has a geothermal potential not yet evaluated.However, several geothermal sites have been identified in the eastern part of the country especially in the western branch of the east African rift namely;•In north Katanga;Ganza sources characterized by a temperature of 40° C and a flow rate of 150 liters/sec, sources and sulfated and carbonated Kakonta Ruthuru at 55° C with gas evolution;The source odorless kafingwe little salt having a temperature of 100°cSources Kinsha Bilume and they are about chloride sulphates and sodium deposit a calcareousHot springs chlorinated Manono from 40°to 46°c with a flow rate 40 l/sec as Kiabukwa•In north KivuSources Ruindi with the temperatures ranging from 75°c to 90 °c for a flow 75 litres/sec•In south KivuNiangezi sources having a temperature of 37° to 50°c at a rate of 11 liters/secKatana sources for temperatures ranging from 37° to 50 °c at a rate of 162 liters/sec.

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Geothermal surface manifestation location

• Fumaroles were located in Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes.

• All other known hydrothermal features in D.R.C. are thermal springs. All of the features are found in the eastern part of the country. None are reported to occur to the west of the country.

• The westernmost thermal spring, Tshapona, discharges in the upper Kasai River drainage basin. Three others, Kibimbi, Lufubu and Piani Mimba, occur close to Lualaba River. All of the rest are found to the east of that river.

Geothermal surface manifestation in D.R. Congo

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• Some geothermal surfaces manifestation in DR Congo are located in Kasongo which is close to Lualaba.

• The distribution of most of the thermal springs in DR Congo indicates a large scale tectonic affiliation to the highlands of Eastern D.R.C. (Getahun Demissie, ARGEO – G3, 27 – 46, 2010)

• Several thermal springs are found within the Western rift basin, including most of those that are hotter than 50 ºC.

• A number of geothermal surfaces manifestation is found in the Mitumba Mountains region lying to the north of Lukuga river, and most of them occur in the basins of the numerous rivers which drain westward into Lualaba River.

Geothermal surface manifestation in D.R. Congo8

Geothermal Potential in DR Congo

• In the southeast, numerous thermal springs are reported to occur in river and lake basins found in the Proterozoic terrain which makes up the plateaus and rifts of Katanga.

• Published sources report the occurrence of 135 known springs of DRC. These sources can be consulted with detailed information on their location, temperature, coordinates and observation on chemical features (Getahun Demissie, ARGEO – G3 7 – 46, 2010)

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Inadequate human resources capacity.

Inadequate equipment to carry out geothermal exploration.

Lack of D. R. Congo geothermal exploration policy and other related regulatory framework.

CHALLENGES

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CONCLUSIONS• Thermal spring areas are located mainly in Eastern D.R.C.

However, it is recommended that a full complement of basic data on the hydrothermal activities in DRC should be collected.

• Kiabukwa, Mayi ya Moto, Kankule-Mahyuza, Mwalo should be prospected for the discovery of exploitable geothermal reservoirs.

Thank you

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