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Journal : Journal of Applied Geology

Study on mineralogy and chemistry of the saprolitic nickel ores from Soroako, Sulawesi, Indonesia: Implication for the lateritic ore processing Sufriadin Sufriadin; Arifudin Idrus; Subagyo Pramumijoyo; I Wayan Warmada; Akira Imai
Journal of Applied Geology Vol 3, No 1 (2011)
Publisher : Geological Engineering Department Universitas Gadjah Mada

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (1714.386 KB) | DOI: 10.22146/jag.7178

Abstract

An investigation of mineralogy and chemistry of saprolitic nickel ores developed on ultramafic rock with different serpentinization degree from Soroako, Sulawesi has been conducted using X ray diffraction, thermal analysis, FTIR, and ICP-AES. The implication for the processing of these ores under acidic media was also studied. Weathering of unserpentinized peridotite in the Soroako west block produces saprolitic ore containing minerals such as relict olivine, goethite, quartz, talc with minor serpentine and smectite; whereas the weathered materials overlaying serpentinized peridotite in the Petea area are mainly composed of residual serpentine with lesser chlorite, maghemite, and remnant pyroxene and amphibole. Chemical analysis determined by ICP-AES demonstrates that west ore is higher in Si, Mg, and Ni, as compared to that Petea ore. Conversely, Fe and Al concentrations are higher in Petea ore than in west block ore. SEM-EDX examination reveals that olivine, talc, serpentine and goethite are the Ni-bearing phases occurring in west block ore; while serpentine is the principal host for Ni in the Petea ore. Chemical leaching under sulfuric acid reveals that olivine has highest dissolution rate in the west ore followed by serpentine; while talc, pyroxene, and iron oxides have slow dissolution rates. In contrast, serpentine in Petea ore is easily dissolved and is followed by chlorite; whereas amphibole, pyroxene, and maghemite are difficult to leach. Quartz is present in both ores and it seems to be undissolved during the chemical leaching. It is shown that Ni recovery from Petea saprolitic ore is higher than that of West Block ore.
Low-Sulfidation Epithermal Carbonate-Base metal-Gold Mineralization Hosted by Tertiary Sedimentary Rocks in Bastem Prospect, Luwu District, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia: A Preliminary Study Arifudin Idrus; Irzal Nur; Sufriadin Sufriadin; Fadlin Fadlin; Indra Sanjaya; Rohaya Langkoke
Journal of Applied Geology Vol 5, No 1 (2020)
Publisher : Geological Engineering Department Universitas Gadjah Mada

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (3983.907 KB) | DOI: 10.22146/jag.55472

Abstract

In Indonesia, gold is typically mined out from epithermal, porphyry and skarn deposit types occurred within volcanic belts along magmatic arc or active continental margin setting. Numerous gold prospects, however, are recently discovered in association with metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. This paper is aimed to discuss a preliminary study on the occurrences and characteristics of the sedimentary rock-hosted low-sulfidation (LS) epithermal gold mineralization in Bastem (Bessengan Tempe) prospect, Luwu district, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Detailed geological and hydrothermal alteration mapping was performed to understand the distribution and characteristics of ore mineralization. Representative ore samples taken were analysed for ore chemistry by means of Fire Assay – Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FA-AAS) and Acid Geochemical Digest - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GA-AAS). The results from this work that the Bastem prospect is stratigrapically occupied by Tertiary sedimentary rocks of Toraja formation, which is adjacent to volcanic rocks of Lamasi formation. Gold-bearing quartz±carbonate veins are hosted by mudstone and siltstone of Toraja formation. The quartz-carbonate veins show a typical LS epithermal open space filling texture containing erratic gold grade of up to 7.16 g/t with relatively high besemetals (Pb and Zn) grades of up to >0.4 and >1%, respectively. Based on those various features, the LS epithermal deposit is categorized as “carbonate-basemetal-gold mineralization type”, which might be originated in back arc rift/basin setting. This ‘unconventional’ sedimentary rock hosted-gold mineralization type would be the new target of gold exploration in Indonesia.