Sains Malaysiana 51(12)(2022): 3865-3877

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2022-5112-01

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Gold Mineralization at Southern Part of Ulu Sokor Gold Deposit, Kelantan, Malaysia

(Mineralogi dan Geokimia Pemineralan Emas di Bahagian Selatan Longgokan Emas Ulu Sokor, Kelantan, Malaysia)

AHMAD FAUZAN YUSOFF, JASMI HAFIZ ABDUL AZIZ^* & MUHAMMAD HATTA ROSELEE

Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

Received: 24 December 2021/Accepted: 15 August 2022

Abstract

The Ulu Sokor gold deposit is classified as orogenic type deposit with evidence from previous studies on the structural, mineralogical, alteration, fluid inclusion, and stable isotope data. This study focuses on the mineralogy and geochemical analysis of representative ore rock samples from southern part of Ulu Sokor gold deposits. The project area is situated at the North of Kelantan state which lies on the Central Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. The main objective of this research is to determine the gold mineralization enrichment pattern relative to other trace elements based on the new data of mineralogy and geochemical analysis. Gold mineralization is primarily hosted in structurally controlled quartz vein which occurs in various degrees of ductile-brittle environment. Based on the field relationships, ore microscopy and geochemical data analysis, there are two main gold mineralization type in the southern part of Ulu Sokor gold deposit, namely (1) Gold associated and as inclusions in bismuthinite based on the mineralogy study, and (2) Refractory gold occurs as lattice bound in pyrite based on the Au/As molar ratio. In terms of mineral exploration and gold prospecting, the significant enrichment in this study area is Bi. However, some other metals can also be considered as a significant value in this area such as Pb, As, Cu and Zn. From the bulk ore chemistry, the geometric mean values of Au and Bi are 1.9 ppm Au (n=23) and 96 ppm Bi (n=22), respectively. The knowledge base for bismuth minerals in Malaysia would provide a significant targeting clue for the gold mineralization.

Keywords: Bismuthinite; geochemistry; gold; mineralogy; Ulu Sokor

Abstrak

Longgokan emas di Ulu Sokor dikelaskan sebagai longgokan jenis orogeni berdasarkan data daripada kajian struktur geologi, mineralogi, pengubahan mineral, inklusi bendalir dan isotop stabil. Kajian ini memberi tumpuan pada analisis mineralogi dan geokimia bagi sampel batuan di bahagian selatan longgokan emas Ulu Sokor. Kawasan kajian terletak di bahagian utara negeri Kelantan yang termasuk dalam Jalur Tengah, Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian utama penyelidikan ini adalah untuk menentukan corak pengayaan pemineralan emas yang berhubung kait dengan unsur surih yang lain berdasarkan data mineralogi dan analisis geokimia baru. Pemineralan emas ini secara majoritinya terbentuk dalam hos telerang kuarza yang dikawal oleh persekitaran struktur mulur-rapuh. Berdasarkan bukti di lapangan, mikroskopik bijih dan data analisis geokimia, terdapat dua jenis pemineralan emas yang utama di kawasan selatan longgokan emas Ulu Sokor, (1) Pemineralan emas sebagai inklusi atau berasosiasi dengan mineral bismutinit dan (2) Emas refraktori berlaku sebagai kekisi terikat dalam pirit berdasarkan nisbah molar Au/As. Mengikut eksplorasi mineral dan prospek emas di kawasan kajian, pengayaan unsur Bi adalah lebih penting. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat juga unsur logam lain yang menunjukkan nilai yang penting seperti Pb, As, Cu dan Zn. Data daripada pukal kimia bagi bijih, nilai purata geometri unsur Au dan Bi adalah masing-masing bernilai 1.9 ppm Au (n=23) dan 96 ppm Bi (n=22). Pengetahuan untuk mineral bismut di Malaysia akan memberikan petunjuk sasaran penting untuk pemineralan emas.

Kata kunci: Bismutinit; emas; geokimia; mineralogi; Ulu Sokor

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^*Corresponding author; email: jasmihafiz@um.edu.my