Interpretation of the potential of laterite nickel deposits using resistivity data in Amahusu Village, Ambon City, Maluku

Abstract

One of the areas of Ambon Island that contains prospects for laterite nickel deposits is the Tanitabuntal hills, Amahusu Village, Ambon City. This laterite nickel deposit is interpreted to originate from the weathering of ultramafic rocks. This mining material is not known with certainty, so no exploration has been carried out. Field measurements used the geoelectric resistivity method with a dipole-dipole configuration. This method is used to identify the presence of laterite nickel deposits. Geoelectric surveys are used to indirectly determine the presence and dimensions of subsurface geological material layers based on the resistivity cross-sectional profile. Then, rock samples are tested in the laboratory to determine the mineralogical characteristics of the constituent structures. The results of the interpretation of the rock resistivity values obtained ranged from (20-400) Ω.m. The presence of laterite nickel deposits consisting of limonite and saprolite zones at a thickness of 7.5 m. The research area is dominated by Serpentine minerals with an abundance of more than 77.0 %, and other profusions in the form of Opak, Epidote, and Sericite minerals as associated minerals that fill the fracture.