STUDY OF SCANDIUM (SC) ELEMENT ON NICKEL LATERITE DEPOSIT IN TAPUNOPAKA VILLAGE, NORTH KONAWE REGENCY, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI

• Main Author: Priyanka, Karenina
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/69712
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Indonesia, especially Southeast Sulawesi, has an extensive ophiolite complex. The tropical climate in Indonesia is very possible for the weathering of ultramafic rocks from these ophiolites to form nickel laterite. Ultramafic rocks usually contain Scandium (Sc) element that will be enriched during the weathering process in the limonite zone. To fulfill the demand for Sc element, more detailed research is needed on the abundance of Sc element in Tapunopaka Village. This study aims to determine the zoning characteristics of nickel laterite deposits and their relationship to the distribution and abundance of Sc elements, determine the enrichment factor for Sc elements, and determine area prospects for further Sc exploration. The data used are primary data which are geochemical and petrographic, and secondary data in the form of geochemical data for 95 drill points, photos of 1 drill point, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), geological maps, and geomorphological maps. Laterite profiles of the three pits are divided into overburden, limonite, saprolite, and bedrock. Based on the petrographic analysis, it is known that the bedrock is dominated by dunite rock and one sample of harzburgite rock. The majority of nickel laterite in the study area belongs to the oxide type and some of the hydrous Mg silicate type. Based on the geochemical analysis, Sc is residual and enriched in the overburden and limonite zones. Based on the Spearman correlation, Sc has a strong positive correlation with the Fe2O3, Al2O3, and TiO2 compounds in the limonite zone. Topography affects laterite thickness, especially limonite thickness. The thicker the limonite, the higher the elemental Sc content. Structure is also one of the controlling factors for the laterization process to form a limonitic zone on the laterite profile v which will become a zone of accumulation of Fe2O3 compound. The mineral goethite also has a strong positive correlation with the Sc element. Based on the distribution of the Fe2O3 compound, the prospect area for further exploration of Sc elements is to the northwest-southeast of the research area. The exploration of the Sc element can be done in the limonite zone which has a high mineral content of goethite and a high percentage of Fe2O3 compounds as well as morphological forms of mountains or hills with a slight slope topography.