ALTERATION IN THE GABON FORMATION
Ayah Sub District
Kebumen District & Cilacap District
Middle Java Province
Indonesia
Isen Renaldo* & Yan Rizal**
*) Geological Department Of Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Mineral Indonesia
**) Geological Department Of Institut Teknologi Bandung
isenrenaldo@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Geographycally, the research area is located at
109°23’30’’EL - 109°25’30’’EL & -07°42’00’’SL -
-07°44’30’’SL with an area of 5x5km research area.
Broadly speaking, the research area is located in the
southwestern part of central java province.
Regionally, in the research area there are 2 formations
namely the gabon formation (late oligocene) &
kalipucang formation (middle miocene). There are
6 rocks unit namely lava, breccia, tuff, intrusion,
limestone, and alluvial. There are 3 geological
structures in the research area, namely Argopeni flat
fault, Kalibangkang flat fault, and Ayah flat fault.
This research was conducted to find out the presence
of alteration and mineralization in the gabon formation
which is intruded by 3 andesite intrusions. This
research was conducted using 3 methods, namely
megascopic, microscopic, and geochemical (XRD).
Analysis of hydrothermal alteration in the study area,
divided into 2 alteration zones namely the argilic
zone (kaolinite-montmorillonite-pyrite-carbonate-
quartz) & propilitic zone (chlorite-epidote-pyrite-
carbonate-quartz). There is a mineralization in the
argilic zone with a set of metallic minerals such as
azurite-malachite-bornite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-galena.
On the mineralized area there are silisified vein with
16,3cm wide. The type of mineral deposit present in
the study area is epithermal with low sulfidation type.
Keywords : alteration, mineralization, gabon
formation, kebumen.
INTRODUCTION
Alteration is a complex process, which involves
changes in mineralogy, chemistry, and rock texture
due to interactions between hydrothermal fluids and
the rock they pass through (Pirajno, 1992).
Hydrothermal fluids is a high temperature volatile
liquid (around 100-500°C) in the form of residual
cooling magma which is capable of changing and
forming certain minerals. In general, the liquid left
over from crystallization of magma is siliceous in
nature which is rich in alumine and alkaline
composition, also containing water and volatile
elements (Bateman, 1981). Hydrothermal solutions are
formed in the final phase of the magma crystallization
cycle and generally accumulate in lithologies with
high permeability and weak zones. The interaction
between the hydrothermal fluid and the wall rock will
cause the conversion of primary minerals into
secondary minerals (alteration minerals).
Factors that influence the alteration process, depend
on the wall rock characteristics, fluids properties
(Ph), pressure & temperature condition at the time
of the reaction, and the duration of the hydrothermal
activity (Corbett & Leach, 1998).
Based on the above theory, it can be concluded that
the alteration process in the study area occurs due to
the interactions between magmatic fluids and soil
water. The 3 andesite intrusions in the research area
experiences heating (prograde) while it is still in the
form of liquid volatile so that its composition
changes into hydrothermal fluids. This hydrothermal
fluids is estimated able to enter through the crack
from the joints caused by the Argopeni fault and
Kalibangkang fault, so the lithologies in Gabon
Formation (Lava, Breccia, Tuff) experiencing
changes. The alteration process, is estimated occurs
during early miocene.
1
RESEARCH METHODS
The methods that are used to investigate the minerals
composition in the argilic zone, is megascopic and
geochemical (XRD) since the naming of the clay
minerals group can only be research with XRD
(X-Ray Diffraction). The methods that are used to
investigate the minerals composition in the propilitic
zone and mineralization zone is megascopic and
microscopic thin section with the zoom scale of 4x
from 0,03cm sample incision thickness.
DISCUSSION
There are 2 alteration zonation in the research area,
which is argilic zone with the mineral assemblage
of (Kaolinite-Montmorillonite-Pyrite-Carbonate-
Quartz) and propilitic zone with the assosiation
mineral of (Chlorite-Epidote-Pyrite-Carbonate-
Quartz). This alteration zonation is determined
based on (Guilbert & Park, 1986) which can be seen
in the following table :

REGIONAL ALTERATION
Based on the previous researcher, there are 2
alteration zone in the research area. According to
(Maskuri, 2003) there are argilic zone (quartz-
chalcopyrite-pyrite-adularia-sericite) and propilitic
zone (chlorite-epidote-carbonate). The following is
an stage overview of the alteration zoning table
according to (Maskuri, 2003) in Gabon Formation :
Table 1.1 Alteration zoning from previous reseacher
Table 1.2 Minerals determination in every
alteration zonation
After recognizing the minerals assemblage in every
alteration zonation, the author divided the research
area into 2 zonation alteration which is argilic zone
and propilitic zone. The first step taken on this
research is to make the map of alteration tracking,
with the purpose to find out the direction of the
distribution alteration zone based on the minerals
assemblage in the research area. The following is
the map of alteration tracking according from the
data that has been taken in the field :
GEOLOGY ENGINEERING FACULTY
SEKOLAH TINGGI TEKNOLOGI MINERAL INDONESIA
2023

ALTERATION TRACKING MAP

Ayah Sub District
Cilacap District & Kebumen District
Middle Java Province
Indonesia

Scale = 1 : 10.000

0 250 500 1.000

Legend :
Propilitic Zone
(Chlorite - Epidote - Pyrite -
Carbonate - Quartz)

Argilic Zone
(Kaolinite - Montmorillonite - Pyrite -
Carbonate - Quartz)

Andesite Intrusion

Information :

Small River Ocean

Minor Contour
Big River with 25 Meters Interval

Mayor Contour
Tracking with 100 Meters Interval

Index Map :
Middle Java Province Administration RBI Page Rowokole Map Research Area
Map with scale of 1 : 1.344.000 with scale of 1 : 25.000

Created By : I.Renaldo (1017009) Faculty : Geology Engineering

Picture 1.1 Alteration tracking map

2
After making of the alteration tracking map, the authors interpret the withdrawal of the alteration zonation
based on the alteration tracking map and the minerals assemblage contained in the argilic zone and propilitic
zone. The following is the Alteration Map in the research area :
A’

GEOLOGI ENGINEERING
SEKOLAH TINGGI TEKNOLOGI MINERAL INDONESIA
2023

ALTERATION MAP
Ayah Sub District
Cilacap District & Kebumen District
Middle Java Province
Indonesia

Scale = 1 : 10.000

0 250 500 1.000

Legend :
Alteration Mineral Alteration Alteration Altered
Color Zonation Assemblage Stage Intensity Lithology

- Chlorite
- Epidote - Lava Unit
Weak -
Propilitic - Pyrite 2 Moderate
- Breccia Unit
- Tuff Unit
- Carbonate
- Quartz

- Kaolinite
- Montmorillonite - Lava Unit
Moderate -
Argilic - Pyrite 1 Strong
- Breccia Unit
- Tuff Unit
- Carbonate
- Quartz

Andesite Intrusion
Non Altered

Information :
Minor Contour with
Big River Interval of 25 Meters
Mayor Contour with
Small River Interval of 100 Meters
A’
Ocean Cross Section
A
Andesite Quarry
Transform Fault
Limestone Quarry

Fault Prediction Ore Minerals Quarry

Index Map :
Middle Java Province Administration RBI Page Rowokole Map Research Area
Map with scale of 1 : 1.344.000 with scale of 1 : 25.000

A
A N11 E Penampang Alterasi N191 E A’
500m 500m
Skala = 1 : 10.000
H:V=1:1
400m 400m

300m 300m
Ayah Fault Argopeni Fault
X
200m 200m
X

100m
? ? 100m

0m 0m

? Created By : I.Renaldo (1017009) Faculty : Geology Engineering

Picture 1.2 Alteration Map

As we can see on the alteration map, that the ARGILIC ZONE

alteration distribution are following the spreading
direction of the Argopeni fault and Kalibangkang
fault which is southwest - northeast. This is because
there are joints that are created around the Argopeni
fault and Kalibangkang fault so the hydrothermal
fluids are entering through this joint, changing the
primary minerals from the wall rock in the Gabon
Formation which is Lava unit, Breccia Unit, and
Tuff unit into alteration / secondary minerals. There
are 3 intrusions with andesitic type (marked with
red color in alteration map) which is predicted is
the causes of alteration in the research
area. Alteration in the research area can be formed
because there are metasomatism process between
3 andesite intrusions and the wall rock in Gabon
Formation. Metasomatism is a changing process
of a physical and chemical composition of a rock
This alteration zone is marked with pink color in the
alteration map and has an area of around 20% total of
the research area. The minerals assemblage that are
founded in this zone are kaolinite-montmorillonite-
pyrite-carbonate-quartz. Based on the megascopic
observation, the alteration intensity of this zone is
generally moderate-strong which changes the primary
minerals composition of the lava units, breccia units,
and tuff units from Gabon Formation. The following
is an overview of the argilic zone in the research area :
A B
W E
A’

Galena
C D Chalcopyrite

that are occured because there are interaction Clay

Minerals

between wall rock and hydrothermal fluid. Pyrite

According from the dipping dicection of the cross

section, argilic zone are formed first.
3
Picture 1.3 Argilic zone on the lava unit (A) Distant
scale photo (B) Close-up scale photo (C)
Observation point in the alteration map marked with
black circle (D) Sample picture.
A B
Silisified Vein
S N
A’
C D Pyrite
Clay
Minerals
Picture 1.4 Argilic zone on the breccia unit (A)
Distant scale photo (B) Close-up scale photo (C)
Observation point in the alteration map marked with
black circle (D) Breccia sample picture (E) Silisified
vein sample picture.
A B
Crustiform
S N
A’
C D
Infilling
Picture 1.5 Argilic zone on the tuff unit (A) Distant
scale photo (B) Close-up scale photo (C)Observation
point in the alteration map marked with black circle
(D) Infilling close-up scale photo (E) Sample picture
The following is the XRD analysis from argilic zone
on the tuff unit from Gabon Formation which contain
a clay mineral of Kaolinite & Montmorillonite :
Picture 1.6 XRD analysis on the argilic zone in the
tuff unit from the Gabon Formation.
After recognizing the mineral composition in the
argilic zone based on megascopic & geochemical
(XRD) analysis, the authors conducted an analysis
to determine the alteration stability temperature
based on the mineral assemblage. This analysis
was determined using the classification of (Lawless
,etc. 1998) which the argilic zone has a stability
temperature from 120-200°C. The following is the
table of temperature stability in the argilic zone :
E Temperature Stability ( C)
Kaolinite
Pyrite Montmorillonite
Pyrite
Calcite
Calcite Galena Quartz
Table 1.3 Temperature stability in the argilic zone
PROPILITIC ZONE
This alteration zone is marked in green color on the
alteration map and has an area of around 40% total
of the research area. The minerals assemblage that
founded in this zone are Chlorite-Epidote-Pyrite-
Quartz-Carbonate. Based on the megascopic
observation, the alteration intensity of this zone is
generally weak-moderate which changes the
primary minerals of the lava units, breccia units &
tuff units from Gabon Formation. The following is
an overview of the propilitic zone in the lava unit :
E Galena
A B
Quartz
Clay Pyrite
Chlorite
Minerals
C
D Stockwork E
Picture 1.6 Propilitic zone on lava unit (A) Distant
scale photo (B) Close-up scale photo (C)Observati
on point in the alteration map marked with black
circle (D) Stockwork texture (E) Sample picture.
As we can see that there is a chlorite prensence on
megascopic description, which chlorite is the key
mineral from the propilitic zone (Guilbert & Park,
1996). In order to have a more accurate result, the
authors doing a microscopic analysis with 4x zoom
scale. The following is the microscopic analysis
from propilitic zone on the lava unit from
the Gabon Formation :
4

Picture 1.7 Microscopic analysis from lava unit on
the propilitic zone.
Next lithology unit in the Gabon Formation is an
altered breccia unit on the propilitic zone. The
following is the field picture of the breccia unit on
the propilitic zone in the Gabon Formation :
A B
E W
A’
C D
Chlorite
Picture 1.8 Propilitic zone on breccia unit (A)
Distant scale photo (B) Close-up scale photo (C)
Observation point in the alteration map marked with
black circle (D) Sample picture.
As we can see that there is a chlorite prensence on
megascopic description, which chlorite is the key
mineral from the propilitic zone (Guilbert & Park,
1996). In order to have a more accurate result, the
authors perform a microscopic analysis with 4x
zoom scale. The following is the microscopic
analysis from propilitic zone on the breccia unit
from the Gabon Formation :
Picture 1.9 Microscopic analysis from breccia unit
on the propilitic zone
Next lithology unit in the Gabon Formation is an
altered tuff unit on the propilitic zone. The
following is the field picture of the tuff unit on the
propilitic zone in the Gabon Formation :
A B
N S
A’
C D
Pyrite
Oxydation
Picture 1.10 Propilitic zone on tuff unit (A) Distant
scale photo (B) Close-up scale photo (C)
Observation point in the alteration map marked
with black circle (D) Sample picture.
In order to have a more accurate result, the authors
perform a microscopic analysis with 4x zoom scale
The following is the microscopic analysis from the
5
propilitic zone on tuff unit from the Gabon Formation :
Picture 1.11 Microscopic analysis from tuff unit on
the propilitic zone.
After recognizing the mineral composition in the
propilitic zone based on megascopic & microscopic,
the authors conducted an analysis to determine the
alteration stability temperature based on the mineral
assemblage. This analysis was determined using the
classification of (Lawless., etc. 1998) which the
propilitic zone has a stability temperature from 240-
320°C. The following is the analysis table of
temperature stability in the propilitic zone :
Temperature Stability ( C)
Chlorite
Epidote
Pyrite
Calcite
Quartz
Table 1.4 Temperature stability in the propilitic zone
ALTERATION STAGES
Alteration stage intend to determine which alteration
zonation were formed first in the research area, and
which alteration zonation were formed later. This
interpretation also includes an analysis to determine
the pH of each alteration zones. This analysis was
interpreted based on (Corbett & Leach, 1998)
classification. The following is an overview of the
alteration stages on research area :
2
Information : 1 = First Alteration Stage 2 = Second Alteration Stage
Table 1.5 Alteration stages
As we can see that the argilic zone were formed
first with mineral aggregate of kaolinite (K) -
smectite (Sm) -quartz (Ku) and propilitic were
formed later with mineral aggregate of chlorite (Kl)
- silica - carbonate (Kb). Ph number on the argilic
zone is 5 and Ph number on the propilitic zone is 7.
This means that there are a changes of temperature
& pH from the hydrothermal fluid when the
metasomatism process were occured on the
research area.
ORE ESTIMATION
After recognizing the temperature stability data &
pH stability data on every alteration zonation, the
authors interpreted an ore elements estimation that
will be founded on the research area. This
interpretation are determined based on solubility
diagram. This solubility diagram can be determined
with the provision of temperature data & Ph data
on every alteration zonation in the research area.
But this estimation is still predicted, to have a more
accurate result, a drilling data and laboratory study
are needed due to the lack of data. This estimation
are interpreted based on (Corbett & Leach, 1998)
classification. The following is an overview of the
solubity diagram to estimate the ore element that
will be found on the research area :
6
 MINERALIZATION
Mineralization is a process that describes the set of
a new mineral called secondary minerals and ore
minerals in a rock composition, which has a quite
of sale value caused by hydrothermal process.
There are several factors that mineralization can be
occured, which is :
Information : = Argilic = Propilitic = PH combined between argilic & propilitic
- Prensence of hydrothermal fluid as a carrier
Picture 1.12 Solubility diagram - Joint as a pathways for minerals deposition
- Available free spaces of joint / crack for the
As we can see from the diagram above, that the esti- infilling process
mation of ore elements in the research area are Au - Presence of a hydrothermal fluids consentration
(Gold), Cu (Copper) & Zn (Zinc). are high enough to build ore minerals
- Presence of vein
- Enough temperature, pressure and pH
ALTERATION TEXTURE - Enough time when the mineralization process is
begin
Texture is the appearance of a rock related to the
size, shape and arrangement of minerals / grains in There are a mineralization that are occured in the
the rocks. Alteration texture is an appearance of a argilic zone from the Gabon Formation which is
secondary minerals that are founded in the altered containing a set of metallic mineral assemblage of
rocks. There are several of alteration texture that are (azurite-malachite-bornite-galena-chalcopyrite-
founded in the altered lava unit, altered breccia unit pyrite). The following is the field overview of the
and altered tuff unit from the Gabon Formation. This mineralization that are occured in one of the quarry
indicated that the alteration intensity in the Gabon from the argilic zone :
Formation are relatively strong. The following are
the variety of alteration texture that are founded in A
B
the research area :
Location Texture Name Texture Picture

W E
ST-19 Infilling

Bornite
Vug & C D
ST-37 Chalcopyrite

Cavity Filling
Pyrite Malachite Azurite

Disseminated
ST-87
& Replacement
Picture 1.13 Mineralization (A) Distant scale photo
(B) Close-up scale photo (C) Observation point in
the alteration map marked with black circle (D)
Sample picture.
ST-41 Stockwork
As we can see that from the megascopic there are a
presence of several ore minerals which is bornite-
chalcopyrite-pyrite-azurite-malachite-galena. To
obtain a more accurate result, a microscopic
analysis was performed on the mineralization from
ST-19 Crustiform argilic zone. The following are the picture of a
microscopic analysis from mineralization sample
in one of the quarry that are located in the argilic
Table 1.6 Alteration texture zone :
7
 MINERAL DEPOSIT

The type of mineral deposit is quite important for

the interpretation of the presence of ore minerals.
The type of mineral deposit can be determined
based on certain factors, namely the type of
intrusion, the type of host rock, the type of
alteration zones, the composition of the altered
minerals, the composition of the metal comodity,
and the type of alteration texture. Determination of
the mineral deposit was interpreted based on
(Hedenquist., et al. 2008). Based on the analysis
that has been done, the type of mineral deposit on
the research area is an epithermal deposit with low
sulfidation (LS) type. The following is the table
types of mineral deposit in the research area :

Picture 1.14 Microscopic analysis from quarry in the

mineralization on argilic zone.

HYDROTHERMAL DEPOSIT TYPE

Magmatic Greisen Porphyry Skarn Epithermal (H.S) Epithermal (L.S) Volcanic Massive
Sulfide (VMS)

Basaltic- Granitic- Granitic- Andesitic Dasitic-

Intrusion UltraBasaltic Granitic Andesitic
Andesitic Andesitic Granitic
Basaltic- Granitic- Volcanic, Volcanic, Volcanic-
Host Rock UltraBasaltic Granitic Carbonate
Andesitic Sedimentary Sedimentary Dasitic
Potassic Phyllic,
Potassic,Phyllic, Advanced Argilic Silisification
Alteration Argilic,Propilitic, Skarn Argilic,
Greisen Propilitic Argilic
Zonation Advanced Argilic Propilitic Propilitic,
Argilic
Advanced Argilic
Biotite, Garnet,
K-Feldspar, Sericite,
Topaz Diopside Kaolinite Barite
Quartz, Sericite, Magnetite Illite
Alteration Quartz Alunite Gypsum
Pyrite, Illite,
Wolasonite Crystoballite
Chlorite, Anhidrite
Minerals Muscovite Epidote, Chlorite Epidote
Tourmaline Calcite, Tremolite Diaspore Illite
Kaolinite Biotite, Illite Calcite, Quartz
Alunite Chlorite Kaolinite
Bornite Bornite
Chromite Calciterite Enargite Sphalerite Sphalerite
Ore Chalcocite Chalcocite
Pendlandit Wolframite Luzonite Galena Galena
Minerals Chalcopyrite Chalcopyrite Chalcopyrite
Magnetite Scheelite Tenantite Chalcopyrite
Molibdenit Molibdenit

Metal Cu, Au, Mo, Cu, Au, Mo, Zn, Pb, Cu,
Comodity Cr, Ni, Pt Sn, W Au, Cu, Ag Au, Ag
Sn, W Sn, W Au, As

Disseminated Disseminated Massive Vein

Massive
Texture Disseminated Disseminated
Stockwork Stockwork Stockwork Disseminated Stockwork
Bedding
Vein Vein Replacement Disseminated

Relatively High Relatively High

Direct Consentration on Consentration on Assosiated
Equivalent with active Equivalent with active
Other crystalization the alteration zone the alteration zone with underwater
with high tonnage Volcanic system Volcanic system volcanic activity
from magma with high tonnage
and low rate and low rate

Information : = Hydrothermal Deposit Type in the research area Red Font = Characteristic founded in the research area

Table 1.7 Mineral deposit type

8
SUMMARY
There are 2 alteration zonation in the research area
which is argilic zone (kaolinite-montmorillonite-
pyrite-carbonate-quartz) and propilitic zone (chlorite
-epidote-pyrite-carbonate-quartz). There are
mineralization that are occured in the argilic zone
with metallic mineral set of (bornite-azurite-pyrite-
malachite-galena-chalcopyrite) with mineral deposit
type of epithermal (low sulfidation).

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