MESOZOIC-CENOZOIC IRON ORE MINERALIZATION

ASSOCIATED WITH MAGMATISM IN THE

INDONESIAN SUNDALAND REGION

Andri Subandrio
Geologi FITB –ITB

IRON is the “backbone” of modern civilization

Sundaland Resources, Palembang 2014 Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 4112014
Mesozoic-Cenozoic magmatic rocks are widely exposed along the Barisan Mountains in Sumatra and in western
Kalimantan. They have not been extensively explored for iron ore mineral deposits despite their wide distribution, as
the focus todate has been mainly on the Cenozoic magmatic rocks. This paper describes hypogene iron ore
mineralization associated with Mesozoic-Cenozoic magmatism in the Indonesian Sundaland region

Figure 1: Simplified physiographic map of Sundaland (Smyth et al. 2007) with addition of
iron ore occurrences that mentioned in this paper.
Barber, et al. 2005
 Regional Geology of Sidikalang including Subullussalam (Aldiss et al. 1983)

Kluet
Formation
(Puk)

Subulus Salam

Cok Langit

Kluet
Formation
(Puk)

Sibolga
Granite
Complex
SGC
(MPsil)

SGC

Aldiss et al. 1983

A B

C A. Chert less banded magnetite

B. Close up of banded magnetite

C. Massive magnetite with scarcely

vuggy texture

SUBULLUSSALAM IRON ORE

D E

F D. Wall rock of low grade metamorphic

facies (chlorite schist)

E. Banded structure of Kluet Formation

meta-sediment

F. Alternating between mm banded

magnetite and siliceous chert

SUBULLUSSALAM IRON ORE

G H

I G. Outcrop of lateritic iron ore

H. Iron cap or gossan boulders

I. Lateritic boulder with magnetite core

SUBULLUSSALAM IRON ORE

Inversion of Resistivity Section SUBULLUSSALAM IRON ORE
 3D Inversion of Resistivity

SUBULLUSSALAM IRON ORE

3D Inversion of Resistivity

SUBULLUSSALAM IRON ORE

Introduction [3]

➢The Indonesian Archipelago comprises mainly younger rocks of

Mesozoic – Tertiary age and never iron deposit like BIF has been
found.

Kendwangan

Tanggamus

Reported primary and secondary iron mineralizations (skarn, placer, hydrothermal)

Iron-oxide as by product from Nickel laterite in limonitic zone or iron cap layer

New discovery : Banded Iron Formation in Lampung, Southern of Sumatra & Kendawangan
W Kalimantan
Introduction [1] Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

Indonesian Banded Iron Formation (BIF): A

Controversial in Age and Tectonic Setting of
BIF Mineralization in Tanggamus Area –
Lampung, South Sumatra.

Subandrio, A.S.M.
Dept. of Geology
FITB – ITB

Research area
Tanggamus
Chert

Hematite

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

Regional Geology [7]

Carboniferous -
Permian

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

volcanic arc

Katili., 1980 Pulunggono & Cameron, 1984

Regional Geology [8] Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

sUMATRA sUMATRA

CARBONIFEROUS CARBONIFEROUS

SILURIAN

Pulunggono & Cameron, 1984

Regional
4.70
Geology [10]
4.80 4.90 105000 BT

0 5km

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

FJB
GD KC GK

BR

Mining of
Banded Iron
Manganiferous
Chert

Pzq (k)=Late Paleozoic of crystalline rocks

of Gunungkasih Complex; Schist, quartzite,
marble and migmatite Amin, et al., 1994
4.70 4.80 4.90
105000 BT

BIF outcrops of Tanggamus are associated with Late Paleozoic metamorphic

rocks (Pzg), [Amin et al. 1993]
Open Pit Mining of Manganiferous Discovery in the field & laboratory [9B]
Iron Deposit of Gunung Kasih District

Folded of intercalation between Fe-Mn

oxide and red brownish cherty layers

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Fe-Mn Oxide

Chert

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

Discovery in the field & laboratory [VMS – BIF Gunung Kasih]

Zone of iron-
Zone of iron- Manganiferous
Manganiferous stockwork
stockwork

Phylic-argillic-
pyrite±galena±sphalerite Phylic-argillic-
±barite±calcite pyrite±galena±sphalerite
±barite±calcite

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Fe-Mn ore bearing banded chert

Plot of Gunung Kasih outcrops in idealized diagram

of submarine hydrothermal vent mineralization.
Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014
Discovery in the field & laboratory [BIF outcrop of Gunung Kancil]

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

Banded Iron Layer

Overthrusted Meta-quartzite Strata

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

 Discovery in the field & laboratory [Megascopic texture of BIF rocks]

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

Magnetite-Hematite-Martite

Quartz ± Silimanite ± Garnet

Lamination and Intercalation
between Siliceous and Iron-oxide
layer
 Discovery in the field & laboratory [Folded BIF rocks of Tanggamus]

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

A (A8, trench Gunung Gadung)
Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

E GDN-02, Gunung Gadung)

F (GK-9, Gunung Kancil) Regional

Metamorphism - Migmatite ?
Discovery in the field & laboratory [Petrography of BIF rocks of Tanggamus]

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Silica rich layer Silica rich layer

magnetite-hematite-martite bands magnetite-hematite-martite bands

0.5 mm PPL 0.5 mm X-PL

0.5 mm 0.5 mm
PPL X-PL
Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014
Discovery in the field & laboratory Transmitted light 0.5 mm
[Petrography & Mineragraphy of BIF rocks] microscopy in PPL

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Iron oxide
rich layer

Silica rich
layer

Ore Microscopy Ore Microscopy

(Reflected light) (Reflected light)

Siliceous layer magnetite-hematite-martite bands

magnetite-hematite-martite bands

Siliceous layer
0.2 mm 0.2 mm Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014
Discovery in the field & laboratory [18]

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Comparation of iron grade between Tanggamus and
world famous BIF deposits

Iron Grade of Some Tanggamus BIF

Fe Total Fe-oxide Total

70
Average cut of grade of iron from world BIF deposit
Fe-Ore Grade (Wt.%)

60
50
40 Average grade of Tanggamus iron ore

30
20
10
0
A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A6

A7

A8

KC-A1

KC-A2

KC-B2

GDN-01

GDN-02

GDN-03A

GK-1

FJB
Sample Locations

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

 Discussion & Conclusion [28]
Origin VMS – BIF deposit

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Discussion & Conclusion Genesis of Tanggamus VMS – BIF
Fe-oxide

Hydrothermal vent & alteration zone Si-Fe-Mn hydroxide gel (jasperoid)

Zone of iron-
Manganiferous
stockwork

Phylic-argillic-
pyrite±galena±sphalerite
±barite±calcite
Discussion & Conclusion [24] Origin VMS – BIF deposit & Gondwana breakup

Fe-Mn Oxide of VMS & BIF Mineralization at Tanggamus, Lampung

Hypothetical of Tectono
Geographic evolution of
West Sumatran
Volcanic Belt &
Tanggamus BIF
 GEOLOGY OF IRON DEPOSIT
HISTORY OF IRON IN USE

➢Egyptian Paraohs 4000 BC ….meteoric iron

➢1200 BC first iron industry
➢800 BC age of iron
➢Robin Hood (16th century) in Sherwood Forest :charcoal for iron
smelting
➢17th century coal for reducing in iron metallurgy
➢19th century Great Britain become 1st modern industrial nations
➢1608 in Virginia 1st large scale smelting began
➢1844 Great Lake Superior USA discovered ….becoming great
iron and steel industry.

IRON is the “backbone” of modern civilization

Annual Meeting Between Producer and Consumer of Iron,

Legian Bali 5-8th November 2014 Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 4112014
 IRON ORE DEPOSIT
MAIN IRON ORE MINERALS
Mineral Chemistry Max Fe % Specific
Gravity
Magnetite FeO.Fe2O3 72.4 5.18
Hematite -Fe2O3 69.94 5.26
Maghematite -Fe2O3 69.94 4.87
Goethite -FeOOH 62.0 4.37
Lepidocrocite -FeOOH 62.0 4.09
Siderite FeCO3 48.2 3.88

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

ANOTHER IRON ORE MINERALS
Pyrite FeS2 46.5 5.02
Pyrhotite FeS 63.5 4.62
Ankerite Ca(Fe,Mg,Mn)(C03)2 Fe>Mg 2.98
Ilmenite FeTiO3 2.98
Ulvosphinel TiFe2O4 40%
Fe-Silicate
 Cut of Grade between 32% and 60% Fe
For direct reduction process  64% Fe and
dominantly Hematite for lump ore
ORE REQUIREMENT
SiO2/Al2O3  3, Low Phosphors, Mn < 2%,
Cr < 1%, Ni < 0.5%, S<0.2%

As, Cu, Zn, and Pb < 0.1%

Ti & V : disturb if to high

Ferro (Fe2+) and Ferri (Fe3+)

Reduced Fe = mobile
Oxidized Fe = mobile
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 TYPE OF IRO N ORE DEPOSIT
1. MAGMATIC : Liquido magmatic (intrusive > extrusive) ore titaniferouis
magnetite, magnetite, e.g. Iron Mountain Wyoming, Adirondack New York,
Bushveld –S. Africa, Kiruna with 55-65%, 1-2% P, Fe in lava of extrusive rock
El-Laco Chile

2. Contact metasomatism (Skarn system): ore magnetite, specularite, Granite vs

Carbonate eg. Fiero New Mexico, Cornwall England, In Elba Rumania and Ural –
Rusian (56% Fe, SiO2= 14.85%, CaO=1.82%, P=0,04%, S=1,94%

3. Hydrothermal-epigenetic vein system (Intermediary Calc-Alkaline Intrusive)

4. Hydrothermal metasomatism (Stock)

5. Vulcanogen Exhalative hydrothermal-sedimentary (VMS like)

6. Residual in lateritic of ultrabasic terrain or ophiolite complex (Fe, Cr, Ni and

Co)

7. Terrestrial sedimentary deposit (Swamp, Karst)

8. Beach Placer (Magnetite or iron sand)

9. Marine sedimentary deposit (BIF, Minete, Coastal Placer) : Minas Gerais Brazil,
Lake Superior, Labrador (USA), Hamersley (Australia), Goa (India), Mauritania
(W Africa)
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Kinds of Deposits and Origin The various types of commercial
deposits of iron ore, and some important examples of each are

1. Magmatic: Magnetite, titaniferous magnetite— Iron Mountain, Wyoming; and Adirondacks, New York.
2. Contact-metasomatic: Magnetite, specularite—Fierro, New Mexico; Cornwall, Pennsylvania; and Iron
Springs, Utah.
3. Replacement: Magnetite, hematite—Lyon Mountain, New York; Dover, New Jersey; and Iron
Mountain, Missouri.
4. Sedimentary: Hematite, limonite, siderite— Clinton ores of New York to Alabama; Wabana,
Newfoundland; Minette ores of central Europe; Jurassic ores of England; and Brazil.
5. Residual: Hematite, magnetite, and limonite— Lake Superior; Appalachians; Western Australia;
Kudremukh, India; Russia; Bilbao, Spain; Pao, Venezuela; Labrador-Quebec, and Brazil.
6. Oxidation: Limonite, hematite—Rio Tinto, Spain.
7. Volcanic exhalative—Kiruna and Taberg, Sweden.

The Lake Superior-type of deposits have been formed by a combination of two or more processes, for
example, sedimentation, followed by residual enrichment and metamorphism. Distribution of Iron Ores As
would be expected of multi origin deposits, iron ores are widely distributed under various geologic conditions.

In North America, magnetite deposits occur in the deeply disected regions of plutonic intrusions, such as the
northeastern states and the Cordillera. Hematite deposits outcrop around the margins of the great
sedimentary basin from Alabama to New York to Wisconsin and in Newfoundland.

Residual
Magnetite FeO-Fe203 72.4 Magnetic (or black) ores Hematite Fe,03 70.0 Red ore "Limonite" FeOOa-nHaO 59-
63 Brown ore Siderite FeCO3 48.2 Spathic, black band, clay-ironstone
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 (Important Ore Minerals)

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 (Type of Iron Ore Deposit )

(ore genesis) (texture & structure)

(vein or dike)
(HYPOGENE) (massive)

(layered)

(banded)

(placer)
(SUPERGENE) (layered)

(banded)

(METAMORPHIC) Annual Meeting Between Producer and Consumer of Iron,

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Introduction [2] :

Special case : challenge for research in mineral genesis &

tectonic !

The discovery of “BIF-like” outcrops in

Tanggamus area of Lampung Province, South
Sumatra is new and controversial geological
evidence compared to the famous Archaean
BIF’s deposits.

This Tanggamus BIF occurs in magmatic arc of

an active subduction zone and much younger in
age that characterized by intercalation of silica
rich mineral and iron oxide which crop out in
10 km square.
Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014
Introduction [3]

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

➢70% of world iron supplies are produced from Banded Iron Formation
(BIF) deposits.

BIFs are highly controversial chemical precipitates characterized by

the presence of alternating layers of iron-rich and amorphous silica-
rich layers or cherty bands.

Oxide-rich BIF typically consists of alternating bands of haematite

[Fe2O3+ O3] with or without magnetite [Fe2+ Fe2O3 ± Fe3O4]. Where
the iron oxide is dominantly magnetite, siderite [Fe2+CO3] and iron
silicate are usually also present (James, 1966).

Chert

Iron oxide
Very large mining of BIF
ore in production,
BIF Ore Hamersley Hamersley
Introduction [4]

BIFs are found at the very beginning of the rock record, amongst the
oldest rocks on Earth, and known as Proterozoic-style mineralization
(Hutchison, 1987).

90% of all iron-formation was deposited between 3.8 Ga and 1.6 Ga

prior to the Paleoproterozoic - Mesoproterozoic boundary, and mostly
associated with very old crustal or shield of passive continental
margin.

All geologists agree that BIFs offer vital insights on the evolution of
the early earth (Harnmeijer, 2003).

Gross (1965) infers a tectonic setting on the basis of BIF size and
lithologic associations. Algoma-type iron formations are relatively
small, and associated with volcanogenic rocks.

Total primary iron content rarely exceeds 1010 tons (James and
Trendall 1982). Typical lateral extents are under 10 km, with
thicknesses in the range 10-100 m (Goodwin, 1973; Appel, 1980;
Condie, 1981).

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

 Introduction [5]

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

Field photo illustrating gray
crystalline hematite in typical
banded iron formation structure.
The red bands are chert
Introduction [6] World Iron Deposit [Gocht, 1974]

Algoma & Lake

Superior Subullussallam BIF ?
Tanggamus BIF ?

Kendawangan BIF ?

Goa, Bellary,
Mauritania
Madhya Pradesh
of India

Hamersley
Range,
(BIF) Minas Grais & Kilgram
Serra de Carajas
Magmatic –
Sedimentary
Deposit

Generally associated with very old crustal

or shield of Archean - Proterozoic
Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014
TYPE OF GEOLOGY
OF IRON DEPOSIT

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014

HAND SPECIMEN OF IRON ORE

MAURITANIA – WEST AFRIKA

Dr. Andri Subandrio, Geologi FITB –ITB, 13032014