GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LATERITE NICKEL DEPOSITS IN BLOCK A PT. KAWEI SEJAHTERA MINING, RAJA AMPAT: KARAKTERISTIK GEOKIMIA ENDAPAN NIKEL LATERIT PADA BLOK A PT. KAWEI SEJAHTERA MINING, RAJA AMPAT

Haluk, Hermina

INTAN Jurnal Penelitian Tambang
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025): INTAN: Jurnal Penelitian Tambang

This study was conducted on Kawei Island, Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province, focusing on the geochemical characteristics of laterite nickel profiles in the concession area of ​​PT. Kawei Sejahtera Mining (KSM) is a laterite nickel mining company. The study aims to analyze the geochemical characteristics of laterite nickel profiles using field observation methods and X-ray fluorescence (XRF)--based geochemical analysis of 16 laterite zone samples. The results of the analysis show that the laterite nickel deposit profile of Block A consists of overburden, limonite zone, saprolite, and bedrock with varying thicknesses, reaching 16 meters. Geochemical characteristics show an increase in Ni, Fe, Co, MnO, CaO, and Al₂O₃ elements from the bedrock zone to the overburden, while MgO and SiO₂ levels decrease. Nickel levels increase from the overburden to the limonite and saprolite zones but decrease in the bedrock zone.