Characteristics of chromitite mineralization in Sebuku Island based on thin section, polished section, and geochemical data

Abstract

Sebuku Island is located in Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan and is known as one of the main sources of laterite iron in Indonesia. Based on its tectonic setting, Sebuku Island is located within the suture zone that connects Southwest Borneo Block (SWB) and East Java West Sulawesi Block (EJWB). Due to its tectonic setting, Sebuku Island is composed of various rocks associated with suture zone, such as ophiolite rocks. The ophiolite rocks could host mineralization that occurred in Sebuku Island. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of lithology and mineralization as determinants of geological processes that influence the formation of rocks and mineral deposits in Sebuku Island. This study was carried out through petrological, petrographic, ore microscopy analysis, and geochemical analysis (x-ray fluorescence). 22 rock samples from Sebuku Island were collected and the result of this research shows that the chromite host rocks are composed of serpentinized dunite and serpentinite. Chromite minerals (FeCr2O4) were found in massive forms with cataclastic, brecciated texture and disseminated with pull-apart texture. Based on observation of the polished sections, it is known that the associated mineral of chromite is magnetite which is an alteration of chromite minerals. Chromitite chemical data shows the chromite composition is Al-rich (Cr# = 0.6) and classified as podiform chromitite formed by fractional crystallization. There are two magma series of igneous rock in the study area i.e. tholeiitic series consists of ultramafic-mafic rocks and calc-alkaline consists of micro-diorite. The abundance of Al2O3 and TiO2 in chromitite shows that Al-rich chromitite has formed in Supra Subduction Zone (SSZ) and has occurred near or above the Moho-transition zone.