Characteristics of Lateritic Nickel Mineralization In Mid Part of Madang and Serakaman Areas, Sebuku Island, South Kalimantan

Abstract

The research was conducted in Madang and Serakaman Tengah area, Sebuku Island Subdistrict, Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan Province which is one of the nickel potential areas in Indonesia. The aim of this research is to know the characteristic and distribution of laterite nickel mineralization. The rocks present in the study area are serpentinized dunite, serpentinized harzburgite, gabbro, silicified gabbro, tuff, and basalt. Methods used in this research were surface geological mapping, rock observation and sampling from outcrop and drill core representing each laterite horizon from limonite horizon to bedrock. Laboratory analysis consist of X-Ray Fluorescene (XRF) analysis is used to determine the abundance of certain chemical elements and compound which characterized the mineralization stage zonation in the laterite profile. The laterite deposite in the study area can be divided based on physical and chemical properties into four zones; red limonite, yellow limonite, saprolite, and bedrock. Saprolite is dominated by a group of hydrocylicic minerals (serpentine) so it can be predicted that the laterite types are developing laterite oxide and laterite silicate types.