D: Ttt: -:ird Basic Science International Conference - 2013
P07 -1
Application of Induced Polartzation Methods to Estimate
Saprolite and Limonite Deposits, Kolo Bawah Area,
Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi
::f l:* --n,,llul
l+;: :l-s" Imam Suyantor, and Yatini2
l
, -- l--- -
:::: - :-u,i;tuln {*mul-r- Interprctation of Induced polarization data to estimte
-:::---i- and limonite deposits catied oul The case stadies at Kolo
l{orowali Central of Sulawesi. The 20 lines data aqiuisition
--
" l-, 'll,Ill
":. )hion length. Topography at the area is runge of hill wifh
to hight slopes. The IP data processed und resulted the
l,a-- a
-;^ and resistivity parqmeters, and plotting
::: ?:::--ruur
section To find thrue rcsistivity and chargeability
rsni in all lines used RES2DINV. The section at the lines
renicol and horizontal distribution of resistivitlt and
of the rock. The 20 section interpreted to distribution
lrzterite Le. saprolite and limonite.
ir"\o1' areas abaut 125 acre at Kolo Bawuh Morowali are
Jeposit exspecially nickel laterite. The nickel laterite
t,t saprolite and limonite. The highest concentlution ut the
[t4'ers, There are nickel laterite at all survay areas but
in concentration The potential nickel concenttation at
nd saprolite layers. At 20 lines tried to estimate limonite
iurnllils deposits, base on intefietation of resistivity and
' value. The depth of limonite abaut l0 to 30 meterc,
abaut l0 up to 25 meters. Beneath Line|7 and Line|9 all
i4'ers. The limonite deposit is 2.996.480 ton and saprolite
,1-n*l r/ti ton There are some other metal minerals indication,
-:m high chargeability value's at some lines,
: li monite, saprolite, deposit, resistivity, chargaehility
I. INTRODUCTION
;';:g human needs led to the birth of a wide range of
*. ;n his case for myiad minerals needed by the
:- :e able to produce goods that are needed. One of
:. ::tal materials used were nickel. Its use in various
':: ::.:ke exploration of this mine is getting improved
.ui: -Lrup element (PGE) deposits in large layered
rrs =:e mined primarily for their pGEs, rather than as in
n r-r-::iic nickel-copper-(PcE) sulphide deposits, where
!r-: : r] -product []. Nickel is used as an alloy of metals
irt ;-:il!' used in many industrial metal [2]. Nickel is
,=red along with chromite and platinum in
:."1'r :,xk like peridotit, good metamorfosa. There are
ri;rE. -, nickel deposits are purely commercial. As a result
arfli.il-lii ::'ncentrations of nickel, silica, and in the process
ulurnc::: of ultramahk igneous as well as deposits of
tl{Hr.,: r!r---: sulfide, which is usually associated with pyrites,
fiil ilrtil :s nith Geophysics Departement, Gadjah Mada University,
rmrm-- -:- . l_153415695, email imams 82@yahoo.com
'Wnn- : ;rth Geophysics Engineering University of pembangunan
' .:eran" Yogyakarta, HP.081328748581,
email
llf,- -- _-Jtt.COm
Laterite layer, the layer is overburden limonite and saprolite. It
is located on the surface, poor Ni but rich in Fe element.
Limonite is located below, have the highest nickel content.
The result of weathering is rich in elements of Ni. While
saprolite is the first resuit weathering. Saprolite is
chancterized by the presence of speroidal wheathering along
at
join and fracfures. Changes in nickel content in saprolite and
at
bedrock in gradual. Saprolite still a boulders from the bedrock.
Saprolite has a nickel content is lower than limonite, but
higher than bedrock, i.e. between 1.8% up to 2.5o/o. It is
located between limonite and bedrock.
The existence of a conductor in rocks can be distinguished
from the value of resistivity. To make sure the metal deposits
in the rocks is characterized by the value of chargaebility.
Rock containing metals will have 1ow resistivity and high
chargaebility.
The Induced Polarization (IP) is a geophysical method that
uses of resistivity and chargaebility properties for understand
distribution of rock in subsurface. With IP method known
spread of nickel laterite. Analysis of resistivity and
chargaebility attempted to distinguish layers of limonite and
saprolite of IP data in the path that is created. Nickel laterite
deposits resulting from the calculation of the reserve of
limonite and saprolite. To obtain an overview of distribution
limonite and saprolite, are expected to contribute in the mining
plan tvill be carried out.
II. OBJECTTVE
The investigation is intended to obtain data and information on
the potential of nickel in the Kolo Bawah area, Central
Sulau,esi. The goal is to find out a quantitative as well as
resen'es of nickel in the areas, so that it could consider the
possibility of developing its potential. Geophysics Induced
Polarization method (IP) is then able to know the condition of
subsurface based on the physical properties of the material or
rocks. then it can be known to subsurface conditions in the
area of inquiry the value ofresistivity and chargeability rocks.
III. GEOLOGY
Kolo Bawah regions and suround included in Mandala
Geology of Eastem and Western Sulawesi, with a boundary
Palu Koro fault nearly North-South direction. The rock
outcropped as Latimojong Formation, Matano Formation.
Ultramafic Rock and Pompangeo Complex.
Latimojong Formation composed of inter bedded with slate.
wache. filit, claystone, qtnrtztte limestone, inserted rijang
The Third Basic Science International Conference - 2013
konglomereat, and generally weak methamorfose. The Matano
formation at Late Cretaceous consist of bedded limestone
intercalated with cher1. The formation was deposited in the sea
environment depostal. Ultramafik rocks consisting of
hazburgit, lherzolit, wehrlit, serpentinit and dunit. Ultramafic
rock boundary with faulting and Matano Formation,
characterized by the Formation of a serpentinit rock depth
with tens of meters.
:
f B,.ndnldF* t::aat
@*,w*a*d fflj
# *.,,*",...,
Rm'**t*"w
Fig 1. The Main seat olthe Arc Magmatic metals mineraiization [6j
Nickel Laterite deposits in the ultramafik belt. Ultramafik
rocks are considered to source, which is the result of the
movement of tectonic plates in the Cretaceous era-Pacihc
plate moving Tertiary when subduct to the Eurasian plate.
These rocks are serpentinity by tropical weathering during the
very long time, so as to produce nickel and cobalt laterite.
IV. NICKEL LATERITE DEPOSIT
Mineral deposits are one or more minerals or certain elements
are concentrated or accumulate due to natural processes on
area in the crust. Mineral deposits that exist in nature are not
all of them are economically. Factors that affect whether or
not an economically viable deposits of minerals is a form, the
volume of
deposits, metal content, geographic location,
technology and cost in processing. Thus the sediment with
small and mineral volumes with low value minerals are still
allowed to be mined economically [2]
The process of forming nickel laterite ore of weathering
processes initiated ultramafik rocks (dunit or peridotit).
Ultramafik rocks are composed of the mineral olivine,
pyroxene, amphibole and mica. Olivine in the rocks have
about 0.3% nickel content. Ultramafik rocks containing nickel
is undergoing the process of serpentinisation, i.e. the process
of fill cracks or joint by a later experienced mineral serpentin
chemical process caused the influence of the soil. Furthermore
by local climate influences source rock having physics and
chemistry weathering. The process resulted in the formation of
nickel laterite deposits.
In the hight rainfall, water will enter the cracks caused the
destruction of the minerals constituents of the source rock.
Mg, Si, Ni and Fe dissolves and carried in accordance with the
land and water flow will produce new minerals at mineral
redeposition process. In solution, Fe oxides and form the
Hydroxide that later formed the Ferri settles near sub surface
into hematite, goetite, and cobaltite. The hssures ultramafik
P07-l
rock some Mg settles yielding magnesite, dolomite and are
calcite which known as the roots of weathering.
As a consequence the occulrence of chemical weathering thai
particles are deposited either in the form of residual
concentration deposit or concentration gap deposit. In thi:
replenishment process hlled cracks among other by garnierite.
quartz and crisopras as a result of deposition of the gap
concentration. Results of sediment concentration of residue
resulting in zone saprolite.
Elements which are lagging like Fe, Al, Mn, Co and Ni bound
as oxide,trydroxide minerals such as hematite, geotite, and
iimonite. Cobaltite producing laterite zone. As a result of this
process will form the order ofthe layers ofoverburden, layers
of laterite and bedrock. Based on the nickel content, the
nickel laterite layer may be conceived then consists of layers
of limonite and saprolite where the nickel layers content nickel
over 2%o saprolite and limonite have l%o. Formation process oi
nickel laterite deposits have steps as follows [2]:
o Rock origin : ultramafik according to the classification table
of rocks containing Ni, with the crystal lattice pyroxene
and olivine.
o The initial processes comes from hydrothermal serpentinit
or peridotit serpentinit, then process oflateriteis because:
climate, chemicals reagents as well as vegetation activity.
o The chemical process ofoccurrence oflaterite deposits
The solution containing the mineral olivine CO2 turns into
serpentin and magnesit.
2Mg2SiOa + CO2 + 2H2O > HaMg3Si2Oe + MgCOr
Hydration process changed olivine and piroksin be serpentin
Mg2SiOa+MgSiO3 +2H2O ) HaMg3Si2Oe
The next process is a result of climate, i.e. rainwater leachin-s
on the zone led to rock. In the end zone with three types of
rocks are formed which are:
a. Zone rock reduction in aqueous solution containing Ni, M-e
and Si.
b. When leaching silicates containing Ni, replace with Mg, Si
and Ni.
c. Enrichment process also occurs, that is the addition of the
coloid is rich in elements Ni, Mg and Si.
Fig 2. Crossection nickcl laterite deposit
Deposits of nickel laterite profile can be differentiated into
overburden, limonite, saprolite, bedrock. Secondary nickel
deposits are deposits of residue concentration results between
parent rocks containing nickel suffered a serpentinit process.
Then by the local climate are having physical and chemical
weathering (primary). As a consequence the chemical
weathering, colloidal particles which are then deposited.
 ' :s l:rid Basic Science International Conference - 2013 P07-3

rrlomite and a:: li4xlr <--ien of sediment concentration of the residue

I ri,i'i,:::ration gap. As a result of this process will form the
$.eathering tha. rmii-: ,'f the layers of sediment is known as A, B, C and D
rn of residu: ,''::urden, Limonite, Saprolite, Bedrock). Profile cross-
deposit. In th:i wu": -:, laterite deposits are shown in the Fig 2.
er by gamierite
ion of the ga: V. DATA ACQUISITION
ruionof residu. 8.,.
.'. locations at at Kolo Bawah, Morowali Central of
r":-
o and Ni bounc ';*':si. Morowali Regency located in the border of Central F..
H-
te. geotite, an- ,;,--;:si and Southeast Sulawesi. The survay areas abaut 125
,a result of thi, iunrl: .: Kolo Bawah are mineral deposit exspecially nickel €r

:rburden, layer. Liiu.*r- .: { Fig 3.).

u-
i content, th. i..*, :nent used in the data acquisition is a set of IP-Meter,
lii{:, j:1ng Of
'nsists of layers :
Fig 3 Location, topography of thc survey area and distribution path. The dots
s content nicke " ,? Scintrex, include Motor Generator TSQ-4, Transmitter
that make up the line is the path measuremenl.
rtion process c, l.rntrol TSQ-3, Receiver Time Domain IPR-12
: n !-rpport Equipment, including: I GPS Garmin, current TABLE I.

'sification tabl; .rd potential electrodes, device tool set, multimeter, PATH COORDINATE
rnice pyroxen. - rmpass, Handy-Talky (HT) etc. tsrdrtE sndinrE .ndcoordiEE
," l.rrouspot electrode filled CuSOa solution. It used to 6dd. bEddE hndr h Eit ldc
mal serpentini. ::event the occurrence of polarization on the potential
TII,JE

01 5 1'4:trlJ' E ta"5dG q ! l- qJ JgU' E 1Ir54 11F Hffi E

riteis because r :ctrode. u s t * 41.1" E ta-54 ffi.4' lffrd16" E 1tr5{'11 ?' flHt
aiion activitl .

: deposits -r: -P data aquisition consist 20 lines, with a length of 200

ra s l'tr ffi5' E 1:1'54 0{|] 51" fr ffi6" E 171"54'GS flHE

iOl fums inri r,r-' s. The coordinates of the points in each line in the UTM il !l F195_ 5 f ff 1Ert" E 1:r54'Er' il?Gt

: ',;rsal Transverse Mercator) and the base of the tip E 5 t" tr 18.1 E 14"5d F 7' 5 f ff 15.:" E 1f l"54 E.f HJEE

lo, i .::rnate in geographic coordinates and azimuth each path 1l sl ff218" tf trF6" E 1f 1-5['EE H IBOE

be serpentin rx :.3 seen in Table I. E 5 1- ff 215" Elr'5{ rJ.6' s1"ff8.1 E 1?1"54'?-S fl lilE

E s 1- # 21-S E 1T 5{ E,F' 5fffIJJ" E 1:1:5d.'ltfl HlSE

;r ater leachin.- E lectrode Configurcttion il 51'{r tt-s" E1t-5{31.9 5 1- ff It8" E 12f5n'32J H 1AE
ihree types o-
':':rr€rreot of IP mapping using Dipole-dipole
aining Ni, N{,: :iJuration. Electrode cuffent and potential move together, V. DATA PROCESSING
r 'at the retrieved value are lateral apparent resistivity.
e with Mg, is 10 meters to 20 m. Dipole-dipole
S. l. -::::ode spacing used The apparent resistivity (p") and chargeability (M") are
.,:: .zuration of electrodes has a geometry factor K: n x a x plotted with pseudodepth plot section technique. The
,idition of th; I :-r )x(n+2) [3]. The resistivity datas measured plotted at resistivity and chargaebility values data is plotted at the point.
' -.s which corresponds to n (n - I to 8), with a This point is the intersection of a line drawn from midpoint of
r:rnstrated level of apparent depth. Created pseudodepth the electrode the current and electrode potential with angle of
rtr-.-rn contour variation ofresistivity of lateral direction and 45o to the horizontal^
. - .rds the apparent depth. Results of the measurements use
:. :::r.lce between the electrode current and potential that the
r ::r of the electrodes will provide information on the
il--rrure of the subsurface. Thus, Dipole-dipole configuration
.;-: re considered effective use in mapping, both lateral and
:'::-;al extent.

?.-*ri!,;.-::---1* *n# YrEE

-r- =r
Fig 4. Cross-section Line01 inversion results, cross-scction resistivity (above)
-ntiated into and chargaebility (bottom) cross section ofthe blue color indicates that small
rdary nickel values and large red indicates in hight
'.rits between
inrt process. The crosspoint is considered the position of the data that rs
nd chemical measured. To obtain value of true resistivity and chargeabilin.
e chemical in each line then done by invers modeling with RES2DIN\-
'sited. [4]. The example of result invers modeling Line0l seen ar Fig
4.
 The Third Basic Science International Conference - 2013
P07 -4

VI. INTERPRETATION. (2,100 x 60 x 2.5 tons) and saprolite are: 93,000 tons (620 x
60 x 2.5 tons).
Interpretation ofdata is done by looking at the characteristics The same step do on all lines, so that the results obtained of
or the value trend ofresistivity and chargeability rhat obtained deposit limonite and saprolite at Kolo Bawah, Morowali
from the results of modeling with RES2DINV which is in Regency. Total deposit of limonite and saprolite eamed on all
corelated with geological information. The interpretation of paths in Table II, then the number of limonite 2.996.4g0 totts
the position of the presence of nickel laterite with a nickel and saprolite of 2.664.610 tons. The total of laterite nickel
content of more than 1.2%o. The nickel laterite has a resistivity deposits which is the sum between the layers of limonite and
value is relatively low compared to the surrounding rock saprolite are 5.661.090 tons or 5.67 million tonnes.
resistivity (40 to 150 ohm-m). This generaily laterite is layers
with nickel content high enough. In addition there is a
boulders of laterite with higher resistiviry (150 to 400 ohm-m).
rHE RESULTs oo.rrolfl#"oit sApRoLrrE DEposrr
CALCULATIONS
While the chargeability will be relatively high, though not Hd rFr{ton]
always apply. Thus interpretation of the existence of nickel Lia Lilronie 5! FE lL
ET
laterite will be directed to low resistivity and high 1 LiEDt 1f,g.EfE
chargeability [5]. "2.SO
f LiErE f 1f.'H
+ LiEO+ f 4E .aao gE ," t0
14 LiE r.+ E 1.:F fEE.lfo
1f LiE lf f6-:* uf .m
1" LiE 1" srm f 1t,':t+
t.E LiE IE 110.EtO 1+!.aff
t9 LiEg 9E .Et4 1f5ffi
14 LiEf o ?1.H 13".h
2396-4EO EIETLE f

VII. ANALYSIS.

Nickel laterite deposits in the belt ultramaf,ik are potential.

Fig 5. The interpretarion O*"U of resrstivity and chargaebility
"l_ll:#"e
Results interpretation of each line, beneath the surface there
are layer that is divided into several units, as follow:
l. Overburden with a hight resistivity value (> 350 ohm_m)
2. The saprolite layer have the resitivity 150 to 400 ohm_m
3. The limonite layer, the resistivity of 40 to 150 ohm_m.
4. Bedrock, with high resistivity (> 700 ohm-meter).
The existence of a polarisable rock known from the value of
chargeabilify. The higher the value of the chargeability, then
the metal mineral content higher.
Reserves Calculation
Calculation of deposit of nickel laterite based on formulas,
large deposit of nickel laterite cross-sectional area x width
estimation x density. Cross-sectional area (m2) obtained from
the results of RES2DINV based on the value of resistivity and
chargaebilify. Approximate width (m) take into consideration
the large cross-section and the presence nickel laterite in other
lines. While the density of nickel laterite : 2.5 ton/m3.
Example calculation of nickel laterite Line}2 in the Fig 5.
Because Linel2 is adjacent (to the South) and paraliel with
Line0l, then the pattem as LineOl repeated in Line02.
Saprolite lying from the middle until the end of the path is
continum from Line0l. Bedrock does not appear until a depth
of over 25 m. High value in chargeability indicates ihe
possibility of other metal minerals in some parts of the Line)2.
The calculation takes into account the existence ofa backup is
performed with Line0l. Deposit of limonite are : 315.000 tons
Ultramafik rocks are considered to source. These rocks are the
resultof the movement of tectonic plates in the Tertiary
Cretaceous, when the Pacific plate moves subduct the
Eurasian plate. These rocks are serpentinit by tropical
weathering during periods, resulting in deposits of cobalt-
nickel-laterite. Nickel and cobalt in gamierite and manganese
oxide minerals are concentrated mainly on the saprolite layer.
A layer of sediment is generally composed of several meters,
limonite and saprolite overburden which is a layer of nickel
ore.
There are no ters$it on the area that is able to assist the
interpretation. To that end the auxiliary data used as the
surface outcrops are found in the survey area. Most of the
outcrops are located on the slopes ofthe area. In general there
are two dominant outcrops, namely saprolite and limonite.
Both these outcrops are part ofthe nickel laterite.
The second physical form these outcrops can be distinguished
clearly. Limonite red soil, while saprolite more compact with
the appearance ofgreen on some parts. Nickel content on both
ofthem are definitely not yet known, but in general the nickel
content of saprolite is greater than limonite. Generally at Fig
2.,then limonite has the Ni 0.8 to 1.5%, while the saprolite 1.4
to 3%o.
Referring to the previous information and the surface
outcrops, then it can be argued that:
o An area with low nickel concentration and there is at the top
of the soil, or overburden, with high resistivity values.
o Areas with high concentrations of nickel and contained in
the central part, is a mixed with nickel laterite boulder.
The value of resistivity low up to medium relatively.
Nickel laterite is divided into two types, i.e the physical
 irs';c r*ience Inteinational Conference - 2013 P01-5

:': oi
limonite nickel with red soil and low
Saprolite nickel with physical are more
iluil$Nmlrr:r"n-t
sults obtain3; ilswuni: there is a section with a green color, has a
qqmlc - =,1 :eriium resistiviry.
a$ ah, MorL- .

Lite eamed r-r {nwr.:.:;n of the bedrock with high resistivity value, is
re 2.996.48u : um lfilsi a:-i lorv nickel concentration.
of laterite
s of limonite
lnnes. VIII. CONCLUSION

ij.r-, i. Br€ds containing nickel but different in content.

TTE DEPOSIT Tur :r,-r,::rial nickel content on the limonite and saprolite
it{mif'

*'"
= I ml.r-
:r
sun'ey area consists offour parls, on the surface
::
overburden or soil, a layer of nickel laterite
I -:FE' I
:rua*l.s;xg of iimonite and saprolite and lastly bedrock.
T:-l
rEilli I
*rE
:i:.:i.rn of layers generally follows the shape of the
mmn:*c:lhr.
lro I
:,:arress of the limonite range from 10 to 30 metres,
t.rrt I snfl3:-i saprolite is 10 to 25 metres, except for Line07
ttrro I :mnc .:.e09. Under the LineO7 and Line09 are all in the
:gr: I 'nr-- i,.i limonite.
rLr* 'illm ::-n'es are calculated by combining the continum
|

Te:-r.rri a path with the nex path, results limonite is

;eq-g !: I
- trr -+80 tonnes and 2.664.610 tonnes of saprolite
Ttm-: :re indications of the existence possibility of other
nds mineral that is indicated by the high chargeability
n i:,me places.
afik are poten
fhese rocks are
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- in the Terc
ores subduct ...uld like to thank to Hamidi, Gunawan and the
ndnit by troP :"r ali crews who worked well together, without them this
leposits of nav not extst.
'ite and man
the saprolite ia'
REFERENCES
I of several me
-r a layer of nic ',
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-:-spective, Mintek, Randburg, South Africa.
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data used as --:roduction, Third Edition, Blackwell Publ.
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=tploration, Elseiver Scientific
Publ.Co., Amsterdam.
ea. In general in electrical imaging
-ake. M.H., 2000, Topogrophic modelling
nlite and limon- T)ersion, EAGE 62nd Conference and Technical Exhibition Glasgow,
Iteflte. :.-otland.
:an be distinguisi
lelford, W. M, Geldart, L. P., dan Sheriff, R, E., 1990, Applied
iieophysics Second Edition, Cambridge Univ. Press Charles J. Moon,
more compact $ \{ichael K.G. Whateley & Anthony M. Evans, 2006, Introduction to
:kel content on tt \lineral Exploralion, Second Edition, Blackwell Publ.
n general the ni Simpwee Soehado, R., 2000, Hasil Eksplorasi Mineral Logam di Jalur
Busur Magmatik Sunda Banda,ESDM.
te. GenerallY at F
Edward, L.S., 1977, A Modified Pseudosection Jbr Resistivity and IP,
hile the saprolite -
Geophysic Exploration V.42,05, pp1020-1036

r and the \{artinho E.. F. Almeida. ful.J. Senos lviatias, 2006, An expterimenlal
study of'organic' pollutant effi:c'ts on tim.e domain in<&tced polarizaltun
n€ilsuremellls, Joumal ofApplied Geophysics 60, p27 40.
nd there is at the i
:sistivity values.
.el and contained *
:kel laterite bouldc
medium relativeti
pes, i.e the PhYsi