Geological, Geochemical, and Radiometric Study of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit Exploration in Menukung Area, West Borneo

Wira Cakrabuana, Ekky Novia Stasia Argianto, Roni Cahya Ciputra, Dhatu Kamajati

Abstract


BATAN has been carried out uranium exploration in West Borneo since 1969. So far, the exploration is focused on metamorphite-type uranium deposits in Kalan Area. The previous study concluded that mineralized uranium is originated from Sepauk Tonalite consisted of felsic-intermediate igneous rocks, and is hosted in medium-grade foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rocks of Pinoh Metamorphite. As uranium exploration develops, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) introduces the sandstone-type uranium mineralization concept that offers a more cost-effective mining process. The Melawi Basin becomes an attractive probable location for sandstone-type uranium deposit exploration since it is situated downstream of Schwaner Mountain's Sepauk Tonalite. The sandstone-dominated Tebidah Formation of Melawi Basin can be the host rock for sandstone-type uranium deposit if there is a reduction zone to trap the mobile uranium in the groundwater. The geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and radiometric survey were conducted in Menukung Area to prove the hypothesis. It is located in the eastern part of the Tebidah Formation, which contains abundant carbonaceous mudstones associated with coal seams. Mobile uranium content analysis showed the anomaly of 36–60 ppm at the central of Tebidah Formation at the study area, while radiometric data denoted the anomaly of 6.5–11.3 ppm eU. At those locations, coal and carbonaceous sandstone were observed. Those data indicate the presence of a reductive environment that gives the advantage to uranium trapping. It can be concluded that there is a possibility of the occurrence of sandstone-type uranium mineralization in the Menukung Area.

Keywords


Menukung; sandstone-type uranium; Tebidah Formation; geochemical; radiometric

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