STUDI KETERDAPATAN LOGAM MENGGUNAKAN METODE PANNING DI KALI JERNIH TIMIKA PAPUA

Abstract

Tahap eksplorasi merupakan tahapan yang sangat penting sebelum kegiatan penambangan dilakukan guna menghindari kerugian yang akan dialami oleh pihak perusahaan ataupun investor. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mengetauhi potensi sebaran logam dan memahami karakteristik mineral logam di Kali Jernih. Lokasi penelitian terletak sungai kali jernih yang merupakan salah satu aliran sungai area Kecamatan Mimika Baru, Kabupaten Mimika, Provinsi Papua. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode penyelidikan geokimia. Penelitian dilakukan dalam 3 tahapan. Tahap pertama yakni, observasi langsung dilapangan (Kali Jernih) yang dilakukan dengan pengambilan sampel menggunakan metode panning atau dulang. Peralatan yang digunakan selama observasi adalah, Global Position System (GPS), kompas geologi, sekop, dan dulang. Tahapan kedua yakni, penelitian laboratorium yang dilakukan di Laboratorium Geologi Pertambangan Politeknik Amamapare Timika. Tahapan ketiga yakni, pengolahan data interpretasi dari hasil analisis sampel. Pegambilan sampel dilakukan di delapan (8) stasiun dengan jarak ±10 meter. Dari hasil analisis laboratorium yang dilakukan terhadap 8 (delapan) sampel diperoleh hasil yang menunjukkan keberadaan logam hanya terdapat pada stasiun 2. Karakter fisik dari logam yang ditemukan dilapangan adalah nampak mengkilap atau berkilau jika dilihat secara kasat mata.   Kata Kunci: eksplorasi, geokimia, panning, sebaran logam, kali jernih.   ABSTRACT The exploration stage is a very important stage before mining activities are carried out in order to avoid losses that will be experienced by the company or investors. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of knowing the potential distribution of metals and understanding the characteristics of metallic minerals in Kali Jernih. The research location is located on the Kali Jernih, which is one of the rivers in the Mimika Baru District, Mimika Regency, Papua Province. The method used in this research is a geochemical investigation method. The research was conducted in 3 stages. The first stage is direct observation in the field (Kali Jernih) which is carried out by taking samples using the panning or pan method. The equipment used during the observations was the Global Position System (GPS), geological compass, shovel, and tray. The second stage is laboratory research conducted at the Mining Geology Laboratory of the Amamapare Polytechnic Timika. The third stage is processing the interpretation of data from the results of sample analysis. Sampling was carried out at eight (8) stations with a distance of ±10 meters. From the results of laboratory analysis conducted on 8 (eight) samples, the results showed that the presence of metal was only found at station 2. The physical characteristics of the metals found in the field were shiny or shiny when seen with the naked eye.  Keywords: exploration, geochemistry, panning, metal distribution, kali jernih.