Role of bedrock serpentinization on the development of nickel laterite deposit in Sorowako, Sulawesi, Indonesia

The objective of this research is to analyze the role of bedrock serpentinization on the development of Ni-Laterite deposits in Sorowako, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Samples were obtained from coring data in three areas, namely the West Block, East Block, and Petea, which are subject to mineralogical and geochemical analyses. Petrography of the bedrocks was conducted to analyze the mineral composition, texture, and serpentinization degree, and later correlated with the distribution of geochemical elements from X-ray fluorescence method in each laterite zone. The bedrock in the West Block is dunite which consists of predominantly olivine with low degree serpentinization. The bedrock in the East Blocks and Petea consists of peridotite in the form of lherzolite and harzburgite which have been moderate to highly serpentinized. The distribution of elements in each block shows that MgO, SiO2, and Ca elements significantly decrease towards the upper laterite profile while Fe, Al, and Cr are enriched in the limonite zone and Ni, Mn, and Co are significantly enriched in the saprolite zone. Ni, Fe, SiO2, Cr, MgO, and Mn in the West Block are relatively higher than the East Block and Petea. This study shows that Ni content is relatively higher in West Block compare to East Block and Petea in averages of 1.7%, 1.53%, and 1.3%, respectively. Olivine-rich bedrock and a low degree of serpentinization resulted in high-Ni concentration in the laterite profile, particularly in the saprolite layer. This means that bedrock characteristics and degree of serpentinization were responsible for the development of nickel.

Profile of Laterite Nickel Deposits, at Tinanggea District, South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province

The research area is located in Tinanggea District, South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. This study aims to determine the profile of laterite nickel deposits in the study area. The research method used consists of literature study, field sampling and laboratory analysis and data interpretation. The results showed that the profiles of laterite nickel deposits in the study area consisted of top soil, limonite zone, saprolite zone and bedrock with different thicknesses. Top soil at Station 1 is very thin in the form of clay and plant remains, while at Station 2 it is a layer of sediment (limestone) with a thickness of 0-5 meters. Based on geochemical data, it shows that Ni, SiO and MgO elements /oxides show enrichment in the saprolite zone because have mobile so its dissolve easily during the laterization process and are transported the subsurface and experience leaching so that its are concentrated in the saprolite zone. The Fe element shows enrichment in the limonite zone because the Fe element has immobile so that it is not easily transported downward and is concentrated in the upper zone, namely the limonite zone.

Mineralogical characterization of clay mineral assemblages from Rio de Janeiro pegmatites to identify kaolinite and/or halloysite deposits

This study reports the mineralogical characterization of kaolin occurrences in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to identify new kaolinite and halloysite deposits. Samples were collected in 10 pegmatites with varying sizes for X-ray diffractometry, chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy studies. The results indicated that the kaolin occurrences were of weathered origin, wherein some places there were occurrences of tubular halloysite. Concerning the regolith stratigraphy, samples located in the saprock zone were found to contain kaolinite and/or halloysite contents from 0 to 10.1%, while those located in the saprolite zone contained kaolinite and/or halloysite contents from 16.3% to 34.9%. Kaolinite and/or halloysite-7Å were formed from plagioclase weathering instead of K-feldspar or mica, and the halloysite-7Å occurrence was related to samples in regions with a higher degree of weathering.

Profil Endapan Nikel Laterit di Daerah Palangga, Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara

Nikel laterit adalah mineral logam hasil dari proses pelapukan dan pengkayaan mineral pada batuan ultramafik. Geologi di daerah Palangga, Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara, disusun oleh batugamping dari Formasi Eimoko dan Formasi Langkolawa yang memiliki hubungan ketidakselarasan dengan batuan ultramafik di bawahnya sebagai pembawa endapan nikel laterit. Proses pelapukan pada batuan ultramafik menghasilkan karakter dan profil nikel laterit yang berbeda. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi karakterisasi nikel laterit berdasarkan pada mineralogi dan profil dari Zona lateritisasi. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui bahwa jenis batuan pembawa nikel laterit di Daerah Palangga adalah harsburgit. Nikel laterit memiliki ketebalan sekitar 15 meter. Zona Limonit memiliki komposisi mineral lempung berupa kaolinit, mineral oksida berupa mineral magnetit, hematit, kromit dan mineral hidroksida berupa gutit. Kedalaman Zona Limonit yaitu sekitar 0 - 3 meter dengan kandungan Ni sekitar 0,76 – 1,78%, Fe sekitar 34,10 – 48,31%, dan SiO2 sekitar 9,42 – 18,02%. Zona Saprolit memiliki komposisi mineral silikat berupa kuarsa, garnierit, antigorit, enstatit, dan lisardit. Kedalaman Zona Saprolit sekitar 3 – 9 meter dengan kandungan Ni sekitar 1,79 – 2,98%, Fe sekitar 10,27 – 34,52%, SiO2 sekitar 22,0 – 49,63%. Batuan dasar (Bedrock) memiliki komposisi mineral silikat, antigorit, enstatit, olivin, augit dan lisardit. Kedalaman batuan dasar (bedrock) sekitar 9 – 10 meter dengan kandungan Ni sekitar 0,95 – 1,28%, Fe sekitar 7,62 – 8,29%, SiO2 sekitar 42,81 – 45,85%. Zona Saprolit merupakan Zona yang kaya akan nikel, dengan mineral penyusun berupa kuarsa, garnierit, antigorit, enstatit, dan lisardit. Nickel laterite is metal mineral formed by weathering and mineral enrichment of ultramafic rocks. Geology of Palangga area, Southeast Sulawesi Province arranged by limestone of Eimoko Formation and Langkowala Formation that have unconformity relation with ultramafic rocks as source of nickel laterite. Weathering process underwent ultramafic rocks resulted in different nickel laterite characters and their profile. The study aims to identify characterization of nickel laterite based on mineralogy and lateritization profile zones. Based on the result of study, source of nickel laterite in Palangga area is harzburgite. Nickel laterite profile has around 15 meters thick. Mineral composition of Limonite Zone is clay mineral as kaolinit, oxide mineral consisted of magnetite, hematite, chromite, and hidroksida mineral as goetite. Depth of Limonite Zone around 0 - 3 meters with Ni grade around 0,76 – 1,78%, Fe around 34,10 – 48,31%, and SiO2 around 9,42 – 18,02%. Mineral composition of Saprolite Zone is silicate mineral consist of quartz, garnierite, antigorite, enstatite, and lizardite minerals. Depth of Saprolite Zone around 3 – 9 meters with Ni grade around 1,79 – 2,98%, Fe around 10,27 – 34,52%, and SiO2 around 22,0 – 49,63%. Mineral composition of bedrock is silikat minerals consits of antigorite, enstatite, olivine, augit, and lizardite minerals. Depth of Bedrock ar ound 9 – 10 meters with grade Ni 1,28%, Fe around 7,62 – 8,29%, and SiO2 around 42,81 – 45,85%. The Saprolit Zone is a Zone that rich in nickel, with mineral composition is quartz, garnierite, antigorite, enstatite, and lizardite minerals.

Electron Microscopic Investigation of FE-Rich Phyllosilicates

Green glauconite-like minerals from Weipa, Australia, which were previously known as glauconite, were determined to be unusual Fe-rich vermicuhte and Fe-rich smectite. This study revealed the structural and chemical nature of these unique phyllosilicates with HRTEM, AEM, SEM and XRD analysis.The Fe-rich phyllosilicates comprising up to about 15 wt% of the rock occur with various amounts of quartz, mica, feldspar, low-Fe smectite, kaolinite, pyrite and siderite at about 30 meters depth in unweathered marine sediments of the Rolling Downs Formation at Weipa. The proportions of Fe-rich vermiculite and smectite decrease upward and become undetectable in the upper saprolite zone at about 23 m depth.Two major morphologies of the Fe-rich phyllosilicates were observed. One is of tabular or granular detrital-shaped form (Fig.la); the other is platy or film-like, coating grains and occurring in matrix and fissures (Fig.lb).