MAGNETIC SUSEPTIBILITY STUDY FOR EXPLORATION OF RARE EARTH METALS IN ARTISANAL SMALL GOLD MINING AREA IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN PROVINCE

• Main Author: Gusfrimanuel
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/71189
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Magnetic susceptibility measurements and geochemical analyzes carried out on placer deposits in Central Kalimantan province were used to identify the concentration of rare earth elements (REE) in placer deposits that have economic mineral content. Two types of samples are used, namely HM (heavy mineral) samples from the results of the panning method which is currently one of the extraction methods by local miners to obtain by-products from ASGM (Artisanal and Scale Gold Mine) activities and placer deposits sieved with a size of 60 mesh, namely the sample of the M60 fraction. The results showed that the concentrations of the main elements (Ti, Fe, Zr, Al and Sc) varied greatly from placer deposits along the Kahayan, Kapuas, Mentaring and Katingan rivers. Compared to the M60 sample, the HM sample had higher concentrations of Ti, Fe, Zr, Al, and Sc, indicating that the separation method by panning increased the concentration of valuable minerals. Magnetic susceptibility is correlated with Fe and Sc concentrations, indicating that carrying out magnetic measurements has the potential to be a support for Fe and Sc exploration in placer deposits. The presence or absence of certain elements (Sc, Fe, and Zr) in the Central Kalimantan placer deposits is thought to be determined by the source rock and the depositional settings of these deposits. The prospect of exploring and exploiting the Sc element in these placer deposits can have added value for small scale artisanal gold mining activities in Central Kalimantan.