EXPLORATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF TIN-ASSOCIATED MINERALS USING REMOTE SENSING AND GAMMA-RAY SPECTROSCOPY TECHNIQUES IN BELITUNG ISLAND

• Main Author: Faza Esfandhiar, Muhammad
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/84847
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Belitung Island, located in the Southeast Asian tin belt, is rich in tin deposits, both in primary and placer forms. Besides tin, there are also tin-associated minerals such as rutile, monazite, xenotime, and zircon, which have the potential to be utilized in modern industries. This study aims to map the distribution of tin-associated minerals using high-resolution remote sensing technology, applying methods such as band ratio, principal component analysis, and linear spectral unmixing. Additionally, gamma-ray spectroscopy mapping was conducted to determine the levels of radioactive elements, including potassium (K %), equivalent uranium (eU ppm), and equivalent thorium (eTh ppm). The analysis of tin-associated minerals distribution focused on open areas such as active and former mining sites (tailings). The results indicate varying distributions of tin-associated minerals, with goethite found in PT Timah Batu Besi mining areas, and other tin-associated minerals, including rutile, monazite, and zircon, scattered across silica sand mining areas, unconventional tin mining, and several open silica sand deposits. Gamma-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that K contents range 0–9.63%, eU 0.015–59.55 ppm, eTh 0.1–92.54 ppm, and dose rates 2.52–500.76 nGy/h. Anomalies in eTh, eU, and dose rates are concentrated in the Tanjungpandan Granite area. Based on these findings, areas with potential tin-associated minerals content can be mapped. The information obtained can be used as a basis for decision-making in future MIT resource exploration.