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PROCEEDINGS

Joint Convention Balikpapan 2015


HAGI-IAGI-IAFMI-IATMI
58 October 2015

Application of Area Selection Criteria (ASC) For Exploration of Economically-Viable Volcanic


Massive Sulphide (VMS) Deposits at Wetar Island, South West Maluku Indonesia
Omar Syarief1, Ambang Wisbagyono1, Chris Farmer2, 1. PT. Batutua Kharisma Permai; Patra Jasa Office
Tower 9th Floor, Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav 32-34 Jakarta 12950 Indonesia, 2. Finders Resources Ltd; Suite
901, Level 9, 60 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Abstract
A desktop study and geological analysis on current Wetar
Project datasets were carried out to establish certain key
criteria which related to the volcanic massive sulphide
mineralization processes and the deposition of economic
resources in the Wetar mineralization district. The primary
objective is to identify deposit-scale exploration targets
with potential to be developed into mineable copper and/or
gold reserves within Batutuas tenements at Wetar Island.

objectives. Conceptually objectives are to organize data for


enhancing geological understanding and establish
geological model for similar deposit type within similar
prospective environment, and in Wetar Exploration case,
the ASC practically will be utilized for decode the mystery
of VMS cluster at Wetar island and as guidance for localscale and deposit-scale targeting.
Mineral exploration project principally involves a number
of interlinked and sequential programs to reduce risks and
although in the contrary increase expenditures (Fig. 1).

The first stage of the study is the identification of regional


tectonic scale structures that may concentrate the flow of
fluids (magma and metal-bearing fluids). The intersection
of structural zones, characterized by inverted rifts, defines
the prospective mineralization belts and determines campscale and deposit-scale targets.
Camp-scale and deposit-scale targeting involves analyses
and interpretation of more detailed geological and
structural datasets, together with geophysical and mineral
occurrence data to define specific areas of exploration
potential.
All targets are ranked on a technical basis utilizing ASC
criteria and a simple numerical scoring scheme. Key
criteria comprise favorable geological setting including
specific host rocks, uplift and erosion rates, prospect scale
faulting, post-mineral cover and mineral occurrences or
alteration assemblages.
Keyword: Area Selection Criteria (ASC), Wetar
mineralization district, volcanic massive sulphide (VMS),
camp-scale target, deposit-scale target

Early stages of exploration project comprise of planning


and reconnaissance phases which mainly purposed for
break-down larger regional-scale district into local-scale
area for detail ground work. The processes vary depend on;
the selection of commodity, type of deposit, exploration
methods, and the setting up of an exploration organization.
Figure 1: Stages of an exploration project (Eimon 1988).

Introduction
Area Selection Criteria (ASC) can be defined as series of
criteria based on presence or absence of specific geological
features, or alternatively geophysical and geochemical
features. Due to its function as evaluation tool, ASC also
being defined as measurable descriptive features of several
representatives conceptual model type and or empirical
standard which embody the essential features of some
population of natural geological phenomena (Hodgson,
1990).
Some objectives were attributed to this ASC, and can be
categorized into conceptual objectives and practical

Particularly for exploration of hydrothermal-related


mineralization, area break-down is defined and being
simplified by relation between mass concentrative system
of chemical process in hydrothermal fluids and favorable
geological settings especially structural control (Fig.2).
Regional scale is being defined as broad area/region where
the primary hydrothermal fluid being sourced, usually
situated in actively deforming basement structure.
Hydrothermal fluid being transported in many varieties of
pathways and accumulated to form fluid reservoir, in some
ways these reservoirs may trap by fluid flow-barrier in

PROCEEDINGS
Joint Convention Balikpapan 2015
HAGI-IAGI-IAFMI-IATMI
58 October 2015
smaller zone named as camp-scale area. Fluid flow barriers
have capability of trapping fluid and pressure necessary for
later emplacement/sedimentation of economic minerals in
small concentrated discharge area in/or near surface which
defined as deposit-scale area.

geological criteria. Target score summaries are presented in


Table 1.
Criteria
Strong
and
Continuous
VMS
Mineralization
(C1)

This ASC assignment were utilizing some datasets; mainly


originated from Batutua/Finderss data, some levels of
historical PLM (Billiton) data, related government
institutions, and other relevant data from unclassified
sources. Primary Batutua dataset mostly already in digital
format, while other complementary datasets have to be
translated into Batutua definition before converted into
acceptable digital data.

Generic

Data and Method

Early stage of framework analyses involved identification,


synthesis and interpretation of regional tectonic scale
structures that may concentrate the flow of fluids (magma
and metal-bearing fluids), establishing representative
geological model for VMS at the same mineralization
district, and generate key geological criteria leading to
formation of VMS deposits in the area.

Strong
and
Continuous
VMS
Alteration (C3)

Proximity
to
Paleosurface
(C4)

Specific

The analysis then followed by camp-scale target


development which involved more detailed geological
information and structural datasets, together with
geophysical and mineral occurrence data to define critical
process element for mineralization to be occurred.
Finally, the deposit-scale target being defined by more
detailed possible-relevant geological and geophysical
manifestations.

Favorable
Structural Site
(C2)

Favorable
Associated
Volcanic Rocks
(C5)

Key Manifestations

Weight

Presence of massive sulphide and/or


sulphide
stockwork
mineralization,
continuity of massive sulphide generally
parallel to stratigraphy
Geophysical response consistent with
massive sulphide and/or sulphide stockwork,
some combination of EM, IP, gravity, and
Magnetic signatures
High Cu anomaly and/or indication of
increase in grade towards the core of a VMS
system.
Structural context indicative of likely
continuity of mineralization along strike and
down plunge
Indication of
syn-volcanic structure
(stratigraphic offset in footwall only, dykes,
debris flows)
Minimal post mineral deformation in the ore
environment

35

Intense chloritic and possibly silicification


in the footwall of the massive sulphide
Intense sericitic alteration showing a lateral
vector towards ore zone (geochemical or
mineralogical)
Area with Na2O-CaO depletion and MgOK2O enrichment
Alteration focused in the stratigraphic
footwall
Presence of exhalite which can consist of
baritic sand, Fe-chert, jasper, cherty tuff,
tuffaceous exhalite
Anomalous geochemistry within the
exhalite, including base metals and gold,
providing vector towards ore zone
Debris flows with exhalite clasts and
massive sulphide clasts
Volcanic rocks, most commonly at the
margin of domes and small volume flows
and pyroclastic rocks.
Dacitic, andesitic, or basalt (confirmed by
geochemistry), most favorable is the upper
part of the volcanic sequence (not
necessarily the very top).

15

25

15

10

Each criterion is assigned a score between 0 and the


maximum score (weigh score), score 0 if criteria not
occurs/absent and the maximum score for area with highly
favorable (with respect) to the criterion.
Two type of scoring were applied to each area; (1) potential
value is possible score on how favorable the area on
involved criterion, and (2) confidence score which depend
on the quality and quantity of the involved criterion. Final
total potential and confidence scores are simple sums of
those scores for individual criteria.
Figure 2: Mineral system framework; (a) Ore genesis as
the focus of a scale-hierarchical mass concentrative system
(McCuaigh and Hronsky 2013), (b) Schematic summary of
the camp concept.
A numerical target ranking methodology, based on critical
targeting elements for VMS deposit where geological and
or geophysical criteria could be identified from available
datasets with certain weighing factors for specific

Table 1: Table for evaluating Deposit-Scale target


Application for Wetar Copper Project
The study on regional-scale tectonic has summarized that
Wetar Island is located on the Inner Banda Arc in Eastern
Indonesia. It is part of a chain of volcanic islands caused by
the collision of the Australian plate moving beneath the SE
Asia plate (Fig 3). Wetar Island itself situated in

PROCEEDINGS
Joint Convention Balikpapan 2015
HAGI-IAGI-IAFMI-IATMI
58 October 2015
extensional tectonic regime of back arc setting, responsible
for the rising of highly volatile magmas which associated
with atypical gold-rich VMS deposits seen on Wetar.

Matagami district of Japan to over 100 Mt (19 deposits) at


Noranda district in Canada.

Figure 3: Simplified Cross-Section of the Banda Orogen


(Scotney et al 2005)
The geology of Wetar broadly comprises of MiocenePliocene volcanic sequences ranges from basaltic to dacitic
composition, locally intercalated with Pliocene deep marine
sediments which include a globigerina limestone unit and a
Quaternary package of dacitic volcanics and andesitic
epiclastics and volcanoclastics.
Economic minerals were observed along/or near contact
between volcanic sequence as copper-rich VMS and goldsilver stratiform barite sand, clay or silt above massive
pyritic sulphide mounds (Sewell and Weatley, 1994).
Camp-scale hydrothermal alteration observed over 25 km2
around Kali Kuning and Lerokis. The most intense
alteration assemblage is clay-chlorite with disseminated
pyrite (and rarely sphalerite/chalcopyrite). Clay minerals
comprise of kaolinite-illite (occur mostly near surface), and
montmorillonite or sericitic clay observed in the fault
zones. Silicifications occur intensely in the vicinity of
known deposits, partially exhibit epithermal-like textures.
In bigger scale, regional-scale limonitic anomalous zones
were delineated from Landsat (and other satellite images).

The Wetar district has an extraordinary amount of metal


occurrences, tens of surface copper and gold occurrences
were observed by historical explorer, although only small
numbers were ever developed
Figure 4: Comparison of Wetar and the VMS district in
Canada and Japan (modified after Sangster, 1980)
Batutua (subsidiary of Finders Resources) currently
developed and defined a numbers of potential targets at
different level of exploration and development stages (Fig
5), current ASC is being employed in some decision points
to make recommendation for moving up targets into higher
stages or out of the exploration pipeline.

For the purpose of defining whether Wetar Island is


favorable and fertile for evaluated deposit types, a
comparison has been made between Wetar Mineralization
District to relatively well-known VMS districts in Canada
and Japan where typically massive sulphide occur in cluster
at specific stratigraphic horizon.
Wetar VMS mineralization district also convincingly
exhibit cluster mineralization occurrences. Although the
number of deposits and combined resources known on
Wetar are very small compared to other VMS district (Fig
4). The three known deposits at Wetar VMS district
account for approximately near 10 Mt of ore. The number
of deposits and size of VMS in Canada and Japan is
significantly larger ranging from 34 Mt (10 deposits) in

Figure 5:
Wetar copper project exploration and
development pipelines

PROCEEDINGS
Joint Convention Balikpapan 2015
HAGI-IAGI-IAFMI-IATMI
58 October 2015
Some of these potential targets already been drilled and
being confirmed of having VMS-type mineralization. In
addition, a number of new targets also being defined by
Batutua as result of its recent program, respectively; KK
East and KK West, Baru Manu East, and Karkopang.
This paper provide detail synthesis of selected deposit with
regard of observed criteria for VMS association, Meron
prospect was selected as representation of most advance
target since its current resources development status, and
due to availability of exploration datasets (Table 2):
Target Name
Meron
Current Stage
Resource Development
ASC Summary and Score
C1

C2

C3

C4

C5

Numerous historical drillholes intersected VMS at various


depth and thickness, VMS dipping toward N and NW
directions
Excellent EM anomaly signatures
Associated with gold-bearing sedimentary exhalative
overlies the VMS body
Situated along same mineralization structure with Kali
Kuning deposit
Minor post-genetic fault which could displaced the
mineralization body
Broad VMS-like alteration were observed
Strong limonitic-jarositic surface overprinting broadly
replaced original sulphide minerals
Gossanous exhalative unit (baritic sand) was observed
over the outcropped VMS body
Chert/cherty jasper? observed in some places
Composed of similar volcanic rocks suits as Kali Kuning
deposit.
Mineralization observed along contact between andesiticdacitic footwall with dacitic hangingwall

Total Score

33

C4

C5

Total Score

Table 3:
Prospect

C1

C2

C3

C4

C5

Total
Score

Rank

33
34
25
15
18
19
20
20

21
18
21
15
17
21
15
15

12
14
8
10
12
8
10
12

13
14
5
5
8
5
10
13

6
8
6
4
5
6
10
6

85
88
65
43
60
59
65
66

1
1
2
3
2
3
2
2

13

* Total score >80 = rank 1, total score 80-60 = rank 2, total score <60 = rank 3
6

References

Target Name
Gigi Tiga
Current Stage
Project Generation
ASC Summary and Score

C3

Meron
Lerokis
Baru Manu
KK 2
Karkopang
KK East
Pantai Merah
Gigi Tiga

12

For lower level of exploration pipeline, Gigi Tiga prospect


at south coast of Wetar Island was chosen for representing
Project Generation stage (Table 3):

C2

Reconnaissance investigation of deposit-scale targets will


be required in order to confirm exploration history and
determine whether valid targets exist at depth in areas of
known occurrences or under post-mineralization cover.

21

85

Interesting surface mineralization with anomalous values


of copper and gold
Observed discrete quartz veining with weak stockwork as
one of VMS footwall manifestation
Minor NW-SE post-mineralization structures which
responsible for exposing mineralization at depth(?)
Main mineralization body remain intact under
hangingwall rocks covers
Rocks in some places in the target area were weakly
altered with clay and disseminated pyrite, limonite, and
minor chalcedonic stockwork
Most area covered by unaltered volcanic lithologies
Floats of baritic sand were observed broadly
Red jasper observed in some places with contain sulphide
mineralization (evidence of
distal
of
VMS
mineralization)
Basaltic volcanic with pillow structure
Unaltered volcanic and floats of exhalative unit
indicating favorable uplifting and erosion level, target
horizon most probably in reasonable depth (near surface)

Application of ASC has evaluated 8 exploration targets


within 4 high-priority camp-scale targets delineated in the
early stage of framework analysis. All targets situated
within Batutuas claimed tenements and are defined for
association of Kali Kuning-like VMS deposit. A
preliminary rank is assigned to each deposit-scale target,
and with exploration works progressing, the rank could be
changed and revised.

Target
Name

Table 2: Detailed summary and score for Meron Prospect

C1

Conclusions

Hodgson, C.J., Castagna, J. P., 1990, Geoscience Canada


17-2, 79-89.
Moon, C.J., Evans, A.M., Whateley, M., 2006, Introduction
to Mineral Exploration, 2nd Ed, 52-69.
Sewell, D.M., Wheatley, C.J, 1994, Journal of
Geochemical Exploration, 50, 337-350 and 351-370.

Acknowledgements
20

15

12

13

66

Detailed summary and score for Gigi Tiga

An acknowledgment is extended to the Management of


Finders Resources Ltd. i.e: Barry Cahill, Chris Farmer, and
Dean Stuart who gave the permission to publish necessary
data for the writing of this paper.
Many thanks for Mining, Project and all Batutuas and
Finders Resources team for supports, constructive
discussion, correction, and review.
A special thank is also forwarded to former exploration
team of PLM (Billiton), and Finders Resources who
contributed to the development of geological understanding
of the Wetar Mineralization district.

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