STUDY OF ALTERATION AND MINERALIZATION IN OROGENIC DEPOSITS USING PETROGRAPHIC, MINERALOGRAPHIC, SEM-EDS, AND EPMA ANALYSES IN MERATUS, KALIMANTAN SELATAN

• Main Author: Nurul Shufi, Tazkia
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/86411
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The Meratus area located in South Kalimantan has rare gold deposits in Indonesia, The significant mineralization potential in this region makes it a major focus in mineral exploration in Indonesia. This research aims to identify mineralization and alteration found in the Meratus area. The analysis methods carried out in this study are petrographic analysis, mineragraphy, Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Electron Probe Microanalyzer (EPMA). Based on the analysis, the mineralization developed in the study area is pyrite and quartz formed throughout the mineralization process, while chalcopyrite, sphalerite, chromite and malazite appear at a late stage. Quartz, feldspar and muscovite are primary minerals formed earlier, while sericite and calcite result from alteration of primary minerals. Results from mineral observations in the Meratus area show mineral associations between sericite, quartz and pyrite in almost all samples, indicating that this area experiences sericitized alteration. Pyrite can trigger the formation of acid mine drainage, trace elements As, Ni, Co, and Cu identified in pyrite will cause water pollution and toxicity. In ultramafic rocks, neutralization takes place well, so the potential for environmental pollution is very small.