Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By
Hizian Darwin
2005
NEW DISCOVERY OF
RESIDUAL LATERITIC BAUXITE DEPOSIT
PARENGGEAN-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
By
Hizian Darwin
Geologist
2005
LATERITIC
C BAUXITE‐CEENTRAL KALIM MANTAN
BY Hizian Darwin (2005)
SUMM
MARY
SUMMARY
Preface
INTRODUCTION
• Location and Access
• Physiography and Vegetation
HISTORY OF BAUXITE EXPLORATION
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
LOCAL GEOLOGY
SAMPLING and ANALYSIS
LATERITIC BAUXITE MINERALIZATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
POTENTIAL RESOURCE (GEOLOGICAL)
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
FIGURE
1. REGIONAL LOCATION OF REPORT AREA
2. FORMER CONCESSION C.O.W OF ALCOA Company
3. SIMPLIFIED GEOLOGIC MAP OF MENTAYA‐TUALAN RIVERS, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
(Modified from GSI, 1995)
TABLE
1. RESULT OF SAMPLES ANALYSIS
PHOTO
1. General morphology of the property
2. View profile of lateritic at quarry
3. Lateritic profile on metamorphic bedrock
4. Massive block of bauxite
5. Larger chunks with erratic cavity
6. Cemented Oolitic-pisolitic bauxite
7. Profile of lateritic showing the thickness
APPENDIX
Analytical result of samples
NEW DISCOVERY OF LATERITIC BAUXITE-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
by Hizian Darwin (2005)
PREFACE
Bauxite is the primary ore of aluminum and is a naturally occurring, heterogeneous
mineral composed primarily of one or more aluminum hydroxide minerals plus
various mixtures of silica, iron oxide, titanium, aluminosilicate, and other impurities
in minor or trace amounts (P.K. Banerji, 1982). Bauxite is a weathering product of
aluminous rock that results from intense leaching in tropical and subtropical areas, a
process called laterization (Lamb, C, 2005). It has a wide range of common uses and
approximately 85% of the world bauxite production is processed into aluminum. The
principal aluminum hydroxide minerals found in varying proportions with bauxites
are gibbsite and the polymorphs boehmite and diaspore. Bauxites are typically
classified according to their intended commercial application: abrasive, cement,
chemical, metallurgical, refractory, etc. (USGS, 2007). This quickly growing demand
has given rise to a continuing search for bauxite all over the world.
Guinea is the first ranking of world’s bauxite reserves and resources followed by
Australia, Brazil, Jamaica and China (Stockill, B, 2006). In Indonesia, PT. Aneka
Tambang is a single producer of bauxite since 1968 in the Island of Bintan, Riau of
Islands‐Sumatra.
INTRODUCTION
The presence of bauxite in Indonesia was first discovered on Bintan Island in 1925, by
the Dutch geologists and it has initially been mined in 1935 (Van Bemmelen, 1949).
Several localities of bauxite in Indonesia were thought by the Dutch workers to have
potential in West and Southwest of Kalimantan. In 1975, ALCOA had discovered large
and low grade bauxite in Tayan area, West Kalimantan province. The Tayan deposit is
currently being explored by PT. ANTAM Tbk. (Van Leeuwen, T.M, 1993).
As known, Central Kalimantan was not a target area for bauxite exploration both by
the Dutch and previous aluminum company (ALCOA) and they were concentrated in
Eastern Sumatra, Riau Islands, Banka‐Belitung, West and South Kalimantan, Central
Java, Sumba, Buton Island, Sula Islands, Aru Island and Southern East of Irian Jaya
(Figure: 2).
Surprisingly, significant grade of bauxite deposit was recently discovered by author in
early 2005 in Central Kalimantan who initially investigated for lateritic iron on
Kotawaringin Timur region. The new bauxite discovery is located near the
Parenggean village, Kotawaringin Timur District.
1
Report area
Bauxite C.o.W
The main aim of this report, therefore, was to provide significant geological
information in relation to the discovery of bauxite in Central Kalimantan. A detail
exploration work is recommended to add more geological information especially in
mineral resources in Indonesia. Be expected that the results would obtain significant
information to evaluate the potential profitability of developing or expanding mining
operations.
Location and Access
The new bauxite discovery is located in Parenggean subdistrict (Kecamatan),
Kotawaringin Timur District, Central Kalimantan Province and lies at 01⁰59’56.5” S
(latitude) and 112⁰47’36.8” E (Longitude). Parenggean is approximately 140 km west
of Palangka Raya and accessible by paved all‐weather road from Palangka Raya town
to Palantaran village and thence finally about 30 km of dirt and gravel roads leading
to property area. Palangka Raya, the district capital of Central Kalimantan province
has daily air service from Jakarta on the regional commercial carriers, Batavia and
Sriwijaya Airlines. The total driving time is about 5 hours.
Physiography and Vegetation
The concession topography is characterized by flat to gently undulating with
elevation range 15 m and 66 m above sea level. Most hills, however, are between 30
and 60 m high, with local topography
relief typically averaging 25 m above sea
level. The hills are considered remnants
of an erosion surface. Valleys are
typically swampy and small lakes (such
Danau Rasau and Danau Sirai) further on
the south, while hilltops tend to be clear.
Photo: 1. Gently rolling terrain
Primary forest has been largely cleared from the area (Photo: 1 and 2). Small portion
of the area is now covered with rubber trees and palm plantation belongs to local
natives. Large areas‐especially those underlain by bauxite are covered with bush and
grass.
The eastern sides of area are incised by Tualan River, a tributary of Mentaya main
River (approx. 40 m wide) flowing from NNE to SSW in direction.
2
NEW DISCOVERY OF LATERITIC BAUXITE-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
by Hizian Darwin (2005)
Photo: 2. View profile of lateritic cut by
backhoe (unbottomed) for road
construction
Some places, the bauxitic laterite are
being excavated for construction of the
rural access and palm farm roads (Photo:
2).
HISTORY OF BAUXITE EXPLORATION
The presence of bauxite in Indonesia was first noted in 1925 on Bintan Island and the
bauxite deposits were placed into production in the 1935 by the Dutch. Other
bauxite locations have been found such as Kundur, Batam , Bangka and Belitung but
they are not of commercial value at the time. West and southwest of Kalimantan
were interpreted to be present considering the geological condition be expected
similar to bauxite deposit in Bintan, however, no investigation had been carried out
yet (Van Bemmelen, 1949). In 1969, ALCOA was a granted a bauxite C.o.W area
covering a total of approximately 500,000 km² over the Indonesia Archipelago
(Figure: 4). In 1971, the original C.o.W area had been reduced to about 19,000 km²
and further reduced to 1,300 km² in West Kalimantan. In 1974, the feasibility study
had been undertaken for Tayan area which contains the largest single deposit of 270
Mt. In 1977, however, ALCOA had decided to relinquish the C.o.W area reportedly
due to financing and marketing problem (Van Leeuwen, 1993). Today, the Tayan
prospect is currently being explored by PT. Antam and be expected the mining
operation would be shortly commenced.
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
Indonesia is located at the convergence of three lithospheric plates, and hence its
geology is influenced numerous subduction zones. Kalimantan in underlain largely by
Paleozoic to Mesozoic aged sediments and volcanics intruded by Cretaceous
granitoid rocks, and this represents an amalgamation of perhaps several Permo‐
Cretaceous volcano‐plutonic arcs (Van Bemmelen, 1949; Katili, 1975; Hamilton,
1979). Late Cretaceous to early Tertiary marine and continental strata was deposited
along the northern shelf margin of the Sundaland and was subsequently deformed in
3
NEW DISCOVERY OF LATERITIC BAUXITE-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
by Hizian Darwin (2005)
the Eocene in which the Sundaland was a passive continental margin at the time
(Carlile, J. A and Mitchell, A.H.G, 1993). The youngest eruptive rocks with related to
basalt flows are widespread in Kalimantan during Late Miocene to Quaternary and
they unconformably overly the flysch sediments (Halligan, 1984).
LOCAL GEOLOGY
As geological map published by GSI (E.S. Nila et al, 1995) that the area is dominantly
underlain by alluvial deposits and sedimentary
rock of Dahor Formation (Figure: 3). The Dahor
consists of fine to coarse quartz sandstone,
conglomerate and coal seam or lignite and is
presumably middle Pliocene to Pleistocene in age.
The area is poor in outcrops and largely covered
by lateritic and clay associated with low relief
morphology. The oldest rocks exposed in the area
are Pinoh metamorphic rocks composed of
phyllite, schist, quartzite and gneiss of Triassic in
age (Van Bemmelen, 1949).
Photo: 3. Lateritic profile (metamorphic origin)
Triassic volcanic rocks occupy to north of the area at upstream of Tualan River. The
metamorphic rocks are cropped out approximately 20 km north of the area where
few local natives are panning for lateritized gold. The lateritic is developed on
metamorphic bedrock with a 2‐3 m thick and it is overlain by about 0.50 m light
brown soil (Photo: 3).
LATERITIC BAUXITE MINERALIZATION
Laterites result from dominantly chemical (aided by mechanical) weathering at and
near surface temperatures and pressures
in tropical regions. Different stages of the
lateritization process, involving both the
formation and destruction of laterites,
are seen today in the tropical belt that
forms about 15 per cent of the Earth's
land surface.
Photo: 4. Massive block of bauxite at
Parenggean
4
LEGEND
113 00’00” E
112 45’00” E
Alluvium (quaternary)
01 45’00”E
Pinoh Metamorphics (Permian-Triassic)
Stream
Fault
0 10km
S. T
uala
n
Report area
S.
Ma 02 00’00”E
nt
ay
a SIMPLIFIED GEOLOGIC MAP
MANTAYA-TUALAN RIVERS
CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
(modified from GSI, 1995)
FIGURE: 3
NEW DISCOVERY OF LATERITIC BAUXITE-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
by Hizian Darwin (2005)
This includes a large part of Africa from Niger to Angola, the Americas from Mexico
to Brazil, Southeast Asia from India to Indonesia, and the northern half of Australia
(P.K. Banerji, 1982).
The available data to date indicates that the bauxite deposits occur a layering of
blanket‐like and massive chunks in part (See Photo: 4 and 5).
The bauxite tends to form the upper and middle levels of the low‐lying hills form
dome‐shaped structures with their major axis lying in an approximate E‐W to NE‐SW
orientation.
The individual deposits are extremely
heterogeneous and vary from 1000 to
2000 meters length or more. The
thickness of bauxite varies from 1.0 to
more than 4.5 m (see Photo: 5) partially
mantled on top by dark brown soil
ranging in thickness between 0 and 3.0
m.
Photo: 5. Larger chunks with erratic
cavity bauxitic laterite.
The thickness of laterite profile is determined by the balances between the rate of
chemical weathering at the base of the profile and physical removal of the top of the
profile by erosion (M. Elias 1996). This residual deposits form by a peneplanation of
the host rocks containing iron, olivine, pyroxene, feldspar or feldspathoid under the
tropical conditions, and by formation of a deep leaching zone in the forming
peneplane. This leaching zone is closely related with tectonic stability, however, in
forming of the residual deposits, host rock, climate, topographic features, and
geomorphologic evolution have significant role ((TÜFEKÇİ, K., 1991).
The bauxitic sand (oolitic) to gravel (pisolitic) particles is dominant in the area in
which they are locally cemented mainly
from the middle section to downward.
The cemented gravels are formed when
iron is precipitated by groundwater
fluctuations and thereby accumulates as
nodules and pisoliths when the water
evaporates (Hyland, S. 2007).
Photo: 6. Cemented Oolitic‐pisolitic bauxite
exposed at Parenggean
5
NEW DISCOVERY OF LATERITIC BAUXITE-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
by Hizian Darwin (2005)
Laterites are very heterogeneous materials, and their fabric elements vary from one
place to another. The relationship between the appearance of new minerals and the
formation of voids is a key factor that needs to be established. The structures and
textures now seen in laterites may have formed at different periods and through
different processes (P.K. Banerji, 1982).
This lateritic is inferred to be more than 4.0 m in thickness (Photo: 7) and it is
characterized by the development deep chemical weathering or mature in
geomorphologic evolution represented generally by high concentrations of gibbsite
and or aluminum phosphate compare to immature ones are poor in these minerals
(Costa, M. L, 1997).
Photo: 7. Thickness of bauxite (a man
standing scale) at quarry
The most common aluminum‐bearing
minerals in bauxite are gibbsite
boehmite and diaspore (MacKenzie, G.
Jr. et al., 1958). The best bauxites occur
in very old reliefs, generally Tertiary (R.
Maignien, 1966).
SAMPLING and ANALYSIS
Limited vertically channel sampling was carried out from two separate locations with
a distance of about 1.5 km each other. The samples were collected from top to
bottom of pit as a composite sample. Two types of samples were analyzed consisting
of unwashed and washed samples. The latter samples were sieved using 4 mm
screen and then dried prior to sending to laboratory. The samples were sent to two
different laboratories of SDM (Bandung) and PT. Intertek Utama Services (Jakarta) to
get a better result for comparative.
GEOCHEMISTRY
A reconnaissance channel sampling was conducted at several locations to be
representative of the material exposed at surface. Assay results from reconnaissance
sampling are tabulated in table 1.
6
NEW DISCOVERY OF LATERITIC BAUXITE-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
by Hizian Darwin (2005)
TABLE: 1.
Sample No SiO2 (%) Al2O3 (%) Fe2O3 (%) TiO2 (%) H2O (%)
PGR‐002R 1.74 52.67 9.02 0.44 1.09
PGR‐003R 1.34 52.70 11.36 0.74 0.95
LTR‐003‐D* 11.16 51.31 13.85 1.74 2.06
PGR‐004** 5.92 56.99 8.65 0.94 0.50
Notes: * Sample was not sieved included clay fraction
** Sample was washed and sieved by 4mm screen prior to crushing
POTENTIAL RESOURCE (GEOLOGICAL)
Based on the restricted data obtained to date, the area is estimated containing a
geological resources of 20.0 million tons washed bauxite contained in area of
approximately 1,000 hectares grading 50% Al2O3; 1.34%‐11% SiO2 (5% in averaged)
and <10% Fe2O3 with recovery factor of approximately 50% is roughly estimated.
Interpretive satellite imagery undertaken on the property displays potential bauxite
mineralization may extend to west, south and probably north of the area.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Although limited works and results obtained to date are insufficient to demonstrate,
potential exists to find bauxite deposit within the area. Preliminary result of samples
analyzed imply a similarity geochemistry of bauxite deposits in Bintan Island
containing a high‐grade alumina (>50% Al2O3) and low silica content (< 5% SiO2). To
elevate the confidence levels of economic potential of bauxite deposits on the
property, a further observation is recommended. Reconnaissance‐scale mapping and
geochemical sampling should be undertaken in conjunction with test pitting,
costeaning and or mechanized drilling over the entire property.
Title : NEW DISCOVERY OF RESIDUAL LATERITIC BAUXITE DEPOSIT
PARENGGEAN‐CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
Author : Hizian Darwin
Position : Geological Consultant (Geologist)
Company : PT. DASAR MANGGALA
Address : Kopo Permai II‐Blok 35AD, No. 18, Bandung 40227
7
NEW DISCOVERY OF LATERITIC BAUXITE-CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
by Hizian Darwin (2005)
REFERENCES
Carlile , J. C and Mitchell A.H.G, 1993. Magmatic arcs and associated gold and copper
mineralization in Indonesia.
Costa, M. L, 1997. Lateritization as a Major process of Ore Deposit Formation in the
Amazon Region. Geosciences Center, Federal University of Para, Brazil.
Hamilton, W.B., 1979. Tectonic of the Indonesian region. Prof. Paper 1078. US. Geol.
Surv., Washington, DC.
Halligan, 1984. Geology of the Central area, Central Kalimantan
Hains, D. H, 2005. Report on Port Loko Bauxite Deposit in Sierra Leone
Hyland, S., 2007. Bauxite Resources in Darling Range, Western Australia
Katili, J. A., 1975. Volcanism and Plate tectonics in the Indonesian Islands Arc .
Lamb, C, 2005. Bauxite. Earlham Physical Geology College
MacKenzie, G., Jr., Tracey, J. I., Jr., and Ellis, M. W., 1958, Geology of the Arkansas
bauxite region: U. S. Geological Survey
Nila E.S, et al, 1995. Geological map of the Palangkaraya Quadrangle, Kalimantan
P.K. Banerji, 1982. LATERITIZATION PROCESSES: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITES.
R. Maignien, 1966. Review of research on latérites, UNESCO.
Stockill, B., 2006. Bauxite‐Facts Natural Resources, Mines and Water, Queensland‐
Government.
TÜFEKÇï, K, 1991. Economic Potential of Residual Deposits in Peneplanated Areas in
Turkey, Mineral Res. Expl, 112, 39‐46, 1991
USGS, 2007. Bauxite and Alumina Statistics and Information
Van Bemmelen, 1949. The Geology of Indonesia‐Volume II, Economic Geology
Van Leeuwen, T. M, 1993. 25 Years of Mineral Exploration and Discovery in
Indonesia.
8
APPENDIX
INTERTEK CALEB BRETT
(PT. INTERTEK UTAMA SERVICES)
XRF analysis determines total element concentrations which are reported as oxides
IDENT Al2O3 CaO Cr2O3 Fe2O3 K2O LOI MgO MnO Na2O P2O5 SiO2 TiO2
UNITS % % % % % % % % % % % %
DET.LIM 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.1 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
SCHEME XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80 XR80
SRK1 51.2 0.01 0.01 12.4 0.02 26.3 0.24 0.06 <0.01 0.03 7.31 1.44
SRK2 51.9 0.01 0.01 16.2 0.01 27.5 0.24 0.05 <0.01 0.03 2.01 1.77