The rare earth element (REE) potential of the Philippines

Ni(Co) Laterite Deposits of Southeast Asia: A Review and Perspective

“…Based on detailed investigations of four Ni laterite profiles (Konde, Petea, Watulabu, and Willson) in the Soroako and Pomalaa mining areas, Ito et al [89] have revealed that Sc contents vary from 24 to 81 ppm (mean of 38-64 ppm) in the limonite layer, which is consistent with that in the underlying bedrock. Moreover, significant contents of Sc hosted by goethite were reported in the limonite layer of Ni laterite deposits from the Philippines, such as the Surigao Ni laterite (31.1 to 59.4 ppm, mean = 47.1 ppm), Zambales Ni laterite (67.2 to 79.5 ppm, mean = 73.0 ppm), and Pulang Daga Ni laterite (68.7 to 89.3 ppm, mean = 75.5 ppm) deposits [93,95]. The average Sc content for Ni laterite deposits of SE Asia is comparable to that found in New Caledonia (36.72 ppm for the Koniambo Ni deposit; [96]), Greece (42 and 64 ppm for the Larymna and Evia Ni(Co) deposits, respectively; [18]), Cuba (61.75 ppm for the Punta Gorda Ni deposit; [94]), Dominican Republic (72.65 and 82.08 ppm for the Loma Caribe and Loma Peguera Ni deposits, respectively; [94]), but higher than that (21.71 ppm; [13]) for the Loma de Hierro Ni(Co) deposit in Venezuela (Table S2, Figure 7a).…”

“…The current understanding of the formation and origin of Ni(Co) laterite deposits remains enigmatic to specific areas in SE Asia. At present, there is a lack of theory explaining why some areas host both Ni and Co mineralization (mostly in the [89,93] in comparison to those for Ni(Co) laterite deposits from Oman [14], New Caledonia [96], Greece [18], Cuba [94], Dominican Republic [94], and Venezuela [13].…”

“…Apart from Ni and Co ore, Ni(Co) laterite deposits of SE Asia are variably enriched in critical metals (Sc, REE, and PGE) in Indonesia and the Philippines [89][90][91][92][93]. Although Co is mainly enriched (up to 8 wt.%) in the lower section of the limonite layer developed on the serpentinized harzburgite bedrock in Indonesia (Figure 6b) [89], while minor Co enrichment (up to 0.16 wt.%) was documented in the upper part of the limonite layer developed over the lherzolite, harzburgite-dunite, and clinopyroxenite bedrock in the Philippines (Figure 6d-f) [32].…”

“…Apart from Ni and Co ore, Ni(Co) laterite deposits of SE Asia are variably enriched in critical metals (Sc, REE, and PGE) in Indonesia and the Philippines [89][90][91][92][93]. Although their contents are low compared with conventional critical metal ore deposits (Table S2), they may be of economic significance as these critical metals are considered to be cost inexpensive by-products during the Ni(Co) production [94].…”

“…The average Sc content for Ni laterite deposits of SE Asia is comparable to that found in New Caledonia (36.72 ppm for the Koniambo Ni deposit; [96]), Greece (42 and 64 ppm for the Larymna and Evia Ni(Co) deposits, respectively; [18]), Cuba (61.75 ppm for the Punta Gorda Ni deposit; [94]), Dominican Republic (72.65 and 82.08 ppm for the Loma Caribe and Loma Peguera Ni deposits, respectively; [94]), but higher than that (21.71 ppm; [13]) for the Loma de Hierro Ni(Co) deposit in Venezuela (Table S2, Figure 7a). [89,93] in comparison to those for Ni(Co) laterite deposits from Oman [14], New Caledonia [96], Greece [18], Cuba [94], Dominican Republic [94], and Venezuela [13].…”