GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OF THE BERENICE MARBLE FROM DARNAH FORMATION (BARTONIAN TO PRIABONIAN), AL JABAL AL AKHDAR, NE LIBYA

Abstract

The title Berenice (the historical name for Benghazi city) marble is coined by the project’s owner, who has the right to exploit the quarry. The excavation of stone blocks from the Darnah Formation’s crystalline and durable limestones is one of the most important operations in this paperwork. The study’s objectives are to focus on various parts of geology and their importance in enhancing national economic development. Also, pay attention to the rocks’ geological properties in order to determine their suitability for marble production and future potential as building stones. The geology of the research area is dominated by Tertiary system successions, which include three major carbonate sedimentary rock formations. Darnah (Middle to Upper Eocene), Al Bayda (Lower Oligocene), and Wadi Al Qattarah (Upper Miocene) of the Ar Rajmah Group. The Darnah Middle Eocene Gizehensis bed contains potentially massive marble productive formation for building stone as in-situ accumulations of large benthic foraminifers of nummulites (Nummulitic bank), which are considered to be good indicators of shallow marine carbonate environments in fossil series. Where the strong and durable stone has been carefully selected, the Darnah Formation is reduced to size and used as slabs, blocks, and columns. Even if output is doubled, this quarry’s stockpile is sufficient to last hundreds of years