Description: In autumn 2024, an expedition to Rwanda was undertaken within the framework of the research project “CRM-geothermal”. Within „CRM-geothermal“, we are looking for an environmentally friendly co-production of critical raw materials together with the provision of geothermal energy. In the EARS, high levels of rare earth elements (REE), Sr, Ba and Mg are expected in waters and solids in areas with alkaline volcanic rocks, while other critical elements, including helium, have been sought in other localities. The eastern and western branches of the EARS host juvenile sectors with promising geothermal potential related to hot fluids migrating along permeable faults. The expedition began in the Virunga Volcanic Province in north-western Rwanda and continued all along Lake Kivu to Kamembe Further, along the Nyakabuye-Ruhwa Valley, in the area of Bugarama, Ruhwa and Mashyuza, gas, water, rock and sediment associated with natural hot springs but also cold springs were collected. On site, physical and chemical parameters were measured in-situ and documented together with the geology, infrastructure and domestic use of the hot site. At Ruhwa borehole, southern Rwanda, the hot water (66°C) emerges as an artesian spring at the surface. Drilling sites for geothermal water and energy extraction in Karisimbi were not visited because no economically viable geothermal system was found. Gisenyi and Bugarama are in the focus of the authorities, but funding for drilling at these sites was not yet achieved. We visited these sites to monitor the physicochemical parameters and to highlight the importance of their usage.
Global identifier:
Doi(
"10.5880/GFZ.DMJQ.2025.001",
)
Tags: Geothermie ? Seltene Erden ? Warmwasser ? Kritischer Rohstoff ? Chemikalien ? Geologie ? Wasserentnahme ? Forschungsprojekt ? Finanzierung ? Gewässer ? Tal ? EARTH SCIENCE > HUMAN DIMENSIONS > ECONOMIC RESOURCES > ENERGY PRODUCTION/USE > GEOTHERMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION/USE ? EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOCHEMISTRY > GEOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES ? east african rift system ? geothermal fluids ?
License: Creative Commons Namensnennung 4.0
Language: Englisch/English
Issued: 2025-01-01
Last harvest: 01.07.2026 00:02
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