Uncovering the Distribution Zones of Uranium and Thorium in Bangka Island

Abstract

Radioactive minerals, especially containing uranium and thorium, can be used as a core element of nuclear fuel. Bangka Island is located in The Southeast Asian Tin Belt where it has a large uranium and thorium potential. The purpose of this study is to delineate distribution zone of uranium and thorium in Bangka Island. The study methods consist of radiometric measurement and mapping, petrographic analysis, and mineralogical analysis of pan concentrate samples. Based on radiometric measurement, positive anomaly value of equivalent uranium (eU) is ranging from 5-15 ppm while of equivalent thorium (eTh) is ranging from 45-75 ppm. The result of petrographic analysis from several outcrops of Klabat Granite indicated that there are monazites found in several samples of Mangkol Granite and of Bebuluh Granite. Radioactive mineral indication also can be identified as pleochroic halo within biotite in samples of Pelangas Granite and Menumbing Granite. Based on the result of mineralogical analysis of pan concentrate samples, it was identified that monazites can be found in all samples. Monazites constitute the percentages ranging from 2.82-10.66 %. Zircon also can be identified with percentages ranging from 9.13-76.75 % while ilmenite and magnetite minerals have average percentages of 24.09 % and 5.97 %, respectively. Favorable zones can be delineated in outcrops of Klabat Granite, Ranggam Formation and alluvial deposits in northern, northwestern, northeastern, central, and southeastern parts of Bangka Island. The occurrences of monazites in those lithological units are the main factors of high radioactivity in Bangka Island. Based on petrographic and mineralogical composition, those granite bodies which are correlated with Klabat Granite are mostly associated with ilmenite series with S-Type granitic rocks.