Petrogenesis of Pre-Tertiary A-Type Granitoid in Jambi Area and its Implications of Rare Earth Element Potential on Main Range Sumatra Belt

Abstract

Granitoid rocks are one of the main sources of rare earth elements (REE). This makes granitoid characterization become important in the early stages of REE exploration. Almost all granitoids in Indonesia have been mapped. However, more detailed granitoid studies in Indonesia are still focused on Bangka and Belitung granites (tin belt granite). In contrast to Bangka and Belitung granites, studies related to petrogenesis and granite characteristics on the mainland of Sumatra Island (Sumatra Main Range) are rarely done, such as granitoid in Jambi area. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of the Pre-Tertiary granitoids located in the Tigapuluh and Duabelas Mountains, Jambi. The Tanjungjabung Barat granitoid represent the Tigapuluh Mountains area while the Sarolangun granitoid represent the Duabelas Mountains area. These two granitoids interpreted to be Triassic to Jurassic in age. Granitoid characteristics include petrological and geochemical characters. This study also focuses on the petrogenesis of Pre-Tertiary granitoid and its implications for the abundance of REEs. Megascopic observation, petrographic, and geochemical analysis are done in this study. Geochemical analysis was done at the Center of Geological Survey Laboratory, Bandung using the ICP-MS Thermo Icap-Q and XRF ADVANT XP Thermo ARL9900 instruments. Based on megascopic and petrographic observations, both of the granitoids are classified as granite. Geochemically, these two granitoids show the character of A-type granite which is formed in the post-collision environment, and derived from the crustal melting with ferrous alkalic to alkali-calcic peraluminous affinities. This crustal melting happened due to the collision of the Sibumasu Block with Indochina resulting in crustal thickening and crustal melting. The magma then contaminated effectively in the rift environment due to the subduction roll-back of Meso-Tethys in the Late Triassic. Subduction in the West Sumatra also play roles in the genesis and it is shown by the geochemical character of the Sarolangun granitoid. Effective contamination derives the characteristics of A-type granite so that the REE content in both granites are abundant. The abundance of REE is indicated by the presence of the allanite, monazite, apatite, zircon, and titanite. The REE concentration of the Sarolangun granitoid reaches 330 ppm, while the Tanjungjabung Barat granitoid reaches 261 ppm. The REE concentrations of A-type granitoid in Jambi then compared with A-type granitoids from the world and showed relatively the same REE concentrations. The REE concentrations of these granitoids are also higher than the other type granitoids in Indonesia. However, the REE concentrations of Jambi granitoids are similar to the fractionated S-type granite in Bangka. With a recent study showing the presence of A-type granitoid in Sarudik (North Sumatra) and Bukit Batu (South Sumatra), the A-type granitoid in this study indicates the existence of A-type granitoid belt in the Sumatra Main Range. This belt will have a high abundance of REE concentrations and potentially become the source for REE deposits. The author hopes that this study could improve the understanding of tectonic in Sumatra and suggestion for REE exploration in the area.