the mineral industries of djibouti eritrea and ethiopia 1997 m1 d jibouti e ritrea thiopia by philip m mobbs few reports available in recent years on industry activity indicated intermittent entrepreneurial production small quantities limestone construction materials including clays sand gravel crushed stone as well some marble granite dimension artisanal salt at lake assal has been displaced scale commercial operations other occurrences potential economic interest include diatomite geothermal fluids salts gold gypsum perlite pumice possibly petroleum most these are near although indications were further west yoboki south ali sabieh government was trying to attract foreign investment develop december joint venture quest international resources corp united states seven star minerals received exploration permits for several base precious prospects attempting recapture ethiopian trade from which handled s exports rehabilitation 781 kilometer km railroad under negotiation
