• T. Suryanarayana
• Endayen Belay Belachew
• Amanuel Godie Gigar
• Elias Assefa
• Zeleke Simachew Anteneh , Tessema Ambaw

Limestones are one of the most important of all the sedimentary rocks. Limestones are composed mostly of the mineral calcite (CaCO3). They may also contain some other carbonates minerals and several non-carbonate impurities. Limestones are the raw materials widely used by throughout industry, although the limestone is the first raw materials for cement making industry where chemical properties are important. Portland cement is produced by calcining finely ground raw meal consisting of a mixture of about 75% limestone and 25% of clay, at about 1450°C in a rotary kiln to form a calcium silicate clinker which is then ground and mixed with a small amount of gypsum which acts as a setting retardant. The compositional chemistry of cement depends largely on geochemistry of its raw materials, i.e., limestone. Approximately 75% of the cement’s raw material consists of lime (CaO)-bearing material. Cement is the prime ingredient used in the construction industry. Cement consumption has a direct correlation to economic growth and improvement in the living standards of society. Energy and capital intensity nature of the industry necessitate large investments that require a long‐term perspective on financing and returns. Besides, production and consumption of cement are mainly subject to economic and construction cycles, resulting in volatility of operating costs and revenues. Addition to that Portland cement clinker production is one of the major sources of CO2 and other greenhouse gases within the contribution of 5 % of the annual global atmospheric CO2 emission. The increasing demand for cement has also provided the desired boost to the cement industry leading to a quite visible growth of additional production capacity and need to find out other cement replacing potential materials. As a result, the study amid to assess on cement production practice and potential cement replacing materials in Ethiopia to reduce the high cost of cement in order to provide sustainable and cost-efficient structure for the public and private sectors. This paper documents the geochemical assessment of limestone for cement manufacture.

Limestone, Calcite, Carbonates, Calcium silicate, Gypsum, Geochemistry

"Geochemical Assessment of Antalo Limestone for Cement Manufacturing.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 4, page no.e259-e278, April-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2204437.pdf

"Geochemical Assessment of Antalo Limestone for Cement Manufacturing.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 4, page no. ppe259-e278, April-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2204437.pdf