POTENTIAL PRESENCE OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS ON GRANITOID WEATHERED PROFILES IN SUKADANA, WEST KALIMANTAN

• Main Author: Muhammad Abdillah, Khaerul
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/85371
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Rare earth elements and other elements are classified as Critical Raw Materials (CRM) due to the advancement of high technology, necessitating exploration to meet demand. In Indonesia, one of the types of rare earth element deposits that has developed is ion adsorption clay type. This study aims to assess the potential of rare earth elements of this type based on mineralogy and geochemistry in the weathering profile of granitoid in the Sukadana, West Kalimantan. The selection of the Sukadana Granite location was based on geological settings, weathering and lateritization intensity for the formation of REE deposits. This study was conducted through mineralogical analysis, including petrography analysis, XRD, SEM, and XRF for geochemical analysis. This research was carried out in two locations, Station 2 and Station 4. Based on petrographic analysis, both Station 2 and Station 4 are granite units, with rutile identified as one of the REE-bearing minerals. Meanwhile, XRD identified the presence of clay minerals that can adsorb REE3+ ions, such as kaolinite and illite. SEM results also indicated the presence of La and Ce, with concentrations of approximately 11 wt% and 23 wt%. On the other hand, Al2O3 shows an enrichment pattern as SiO2 depletes in A horizon, similar to a bauxite zone. This is also supported by Al2O3 concentration data, which reached 54.9 wt% at Station 2 and 41.1 wt% at Station 4. This research can be an initial study for the development of REE exploration in the Sukadana Granite formation in the future.