Interpretation 2D Magnetic of a High Sulfidation Epithermal

Deposits in Tirtayasa, Jambi

Wahyu Kusdyantono*

*Geophysics Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta

Abstract
PT. ANTAM. Tbk Unit Geomin has conducted ground magnetic measurements of
a high sulfidation epithermal deposits in Tirtayasa prospect area, Jambi province in the late
2012 for prospecting the indication of the gold mineralization area. Ground magnetic
measurements were covered in an area of 6 km2. Based on the data, processing was
divided into two parts, processing until reduce to magnetic pole (RTP) filter and
quantitative interpretation using 2D geological modelling. Processing magnetic data after
filter reduced to magnetic pole has resulted a pair high (bulls eye) magnetic anomaly value
(400 nT) with a north-south orientation. This anomaly was surrounded by magnetic
destructive area with low magnetic anomaly value (30 nT). 2D geological modelling has
shown that the highest magnetic anomaly due to diorite quartz intrusion with susceptibility
5.10-3 SI at a depth 200 300 m below the surface. The low magnetic anomaly was derived
from the alteration zone (pyrophyllite-alunite-dicktite-kaolinite) with susceptibility around
1.10-4 SI at a depth 100 m below the surface.

Keyword: bulls eye anomaly, susceptibility, 2D geological model, high sulfidation

epithermal deposits

Introduction sulfidation zone. The ground magnetic

Epithermal high sulfidation gold deposits
exist due to magmatic domination which
mixed with meteoric water in the edge of
magmatic zone. Prospect area for
epithermal high sulfidation gold deposits
can observed from characteristic of
magnetization (such as magnetic
destructive) over a large area due to
alteration and silica (Hoschke, 2011).
In the late 2012, PT. ANTAM. Tbk Unit
Geomin was conducted ground magnetic
acquisition in Tirtayasa region prospect
area to localize mineralization zone that
indicated as an epithermal high
survey covering 6 km2 research areas
with orientation west-east and spacing
between the line was 100 m. Magnetic
acquisition in research area was carried
out more detail to localize alteration zone
and to detailing the location of intrusive
body. Intrusive body in research area was
estimated as a factor of the formation of
high sulfidation gold deposits. It is
possible association with porphyry-type
gold deposits (Alrizki et al, 2013). Based
on geological data in the research area,
alteration zone was found in the form of
quartz alunite, phyropilite, paragonite,
and muscovite (Alrizki et al, 2013).
Accordingly, the alteration zone in
research area was estimated due to the
existence of quartz-diorite intrusion in
that area.
The data from measurement carried out
to be processed until the reduced to the
magnetic pole to simplify the qualitative
analysis process about mineralization
zone and the position of quartz-diorite
intrusion in that area.
To confirm that process, quantitative
analysis was carried out to detailing the
location of quartz-diorite intrusion,
localize the distribution of alteration
zone, estimate geological structure, and
distinguish rock characterization based
on the susceptibility value. This process
was carried out by 2D modelling process
from the magnetic data which reduced to
the magnetic pole.
Theory
Total magnetic intensity value in
epithermal high sulfidation gold deposits
in Tirtayasa prospect area, Jambi
obtained from the ground magnetic
measurement. Total magnetic intensity is
the magnetic field measured at the point
on the surface which consist of three
components, component with orientation
north-south axis (Y), east-west axis (X),
and vertical axis (Z). Total magnetic
intensity mathematically formulated as
follows (Telford et al, 1990),
|| = 2 + 2 = 2 + 2 + 2 Regional Stratigraphy
(1)
Magnetic susceptibility is the ability of
the material to be magnetized. Magnetic
susceptibility symbolized by k.
Definition about susceptibility
mathematically formulated as follows
(Telford et al, 1990),
=
(2)
Where is magnetic intensity (Am-1),
-1
is strong magnetic fields (Am ), and k is
susceptibility value.
Geological Setting
Regional Geology
Generally, the regional physiography of
Sumatera classified by two groups,
Barisan Mountain Range and Semangko
Zone. Research area belongs to
Semangko Zone. Regional stratigraphy
in the research area belongs to regional
geology Lembar Bangko that divide
stratigraphy composition to some rock
formation. Based on the age of rock
materials, rock formation in a research
area consist of Hulusimpang Formation,
which form by volcanic breccia, lava,
tuff, conglomerate, tuff-sandstone,
limestone, and limestone-clay
(Simanjuntak et al, 2014). In Tirtayasa
Area, unconformity formation happens
when Hulusimpang Formation breached
by chlorite-diorite intrusion in the Middle
Miocene. From the Holocene until now,
alluvial sediment formed with clastic
material such as andesite, diorite, and et
cetera. This clastic material generally has
altered (Simanjuntak et al, 2014).
Stratigraphy in the research area arranged
by six lithologies such as old volcanic
breccia, andesite lava, quartz-diorite
intrusion, young volcanic breccia, diorite
intrusion, and alluvial sediment deposits.
This classification based on lithology
characterization such as the structure,
texture that appear in outcrops, and the
age of the rocks its self (Simanjuntak et
al, 2014).
Method
Data Correction
The magnetic data that obtained in
research area is the total magnetic field,
it consists of earth magnetic field value,
external magnetic field value due to
diurnal activity, and magnetic anomaly
field. This condition raises ambiguity
because anomaly magnetic values cannot
be distinguished. Due to those factors, the
magnetic data must be corrected to
separate between anomaly magnetic
value and other data.
Variation of magnetic field value that
caused by diurnal activity will impact
secular variation that made magnetic
field value was fluctuation (Reeve,
2010). The existence of magnetic field
deviation due to sun radiation. It makes
the magnetic data must be deducted with
daily magnetic field value from Proton
Precision Meter (PPM) base. It is shown
by the equation below.
= (3) magnetic anomaly due to buried shallow
Where is the magnetic field without
diurnal effect (nT), is the total
magnetic field from the data (nT), and
is magnetic field due to diurnal
activity (nT).
After the diurnal correction process, the
data must be deducted from the earth
magnetic field value, so we just have
magnetic anomaly value in the next
process. Earth magnetic field value
correction used to erase data due to earth
magnetic field value. Generally, this
process is also known as the IGRF
(International Geomagnetic Reference
Field) correctionit depends earth
magnetic database we used. IGRF
correction can be wrote by the equation
below,
= 0 (4)
Where 0 is earth magnetic field value
(nT).
Total Magnetic Anomaly
After the data correction process (diurnal
and IGRF correction), the next process is
gridding the data to obtain the map of
total magnetic anomaly which still
consist of local anomaly and regional
anomaly.
Upward Continuation
Upward continuation is one of the filter
that used to reduce the local magnetic
anomaly effect due to buried shallow
material. Then, upward continuation is a
mathematical technique that project data
taken at an elevation to a higher elevation
and it enhances large scale features in the
research area (Mekonnen, 2004). This
process is known as low pass filter. The
elevation chosen 30 m in this process. At
this elevation, it was reduced local
material and also not reduce magnetic
anomaly features which is the target area.
Reduce to Magnetic Pole
Reduce to magnetic pole used to localize
magnetic anomaly appropriate exist
above the source of anomaly. Also, this
process can reduce the dipole effect. In
this process, inclination and declination
of research area used as a mathematical
factor to reduce the dipole effect.
Result and Discussion
Qualitative Analysis
Based on the map of total magnetic
intensity in Tirtayasa prospect area, the
lowest value of total magnetic anomaly
shown by 8.8 nT, meanwhile the highest
value of total magnetic anomaly shown
by 307.7 nT. Figure 2.a is the total
magnetic intensity map which still show
the value of the local magnetic anomaly
and regional magnetic anomaly. To
simplify the interpretation process, total
magnetic intensity must be separated
between the value from local magnetic
anomaly and regional magnetic anomaly.
The upward continuation process was
carried out at elevation 30 m to separate
anomaly due to the local magnetic
anomaly effect and regional magnetic
anomaly effect. In figure 2.b, it is clear
that the value of the local magnetic
anomaly (buried shallow material) was
not exist anymore, and the features on the
map looks smoother. In this process,
anomaly due to the deep source enhanced
properly.
Figure 2.c is the map of magnetic
intensity that has process using RTP
filter. If we compare this map with the
map from the upward continuation
process, ambiguity is no longer found in
the form of a couple of magnetic
anomalies on a map. Shifting location
anomalies such as in figure 2.c show that
magnetic anomaly value has located
above the source body of the anomaly.
Based on regional stratigraphy in
Tirtayasa prospect area, the high value of
magnetic anomaly estimated due to the
existence of andesite lava, quartz-diorite
intrusion, and volcanic breccia. The area
that has low value estimated due to rocks
which have altered and alluvial sediment.
In the center of the map (figure 3.a), there
are two anomalies (bulls eye anomaly)
with high magnetic intensity value and
surrounded by low magnetic intensity
value. Two anomalies with high value
estimated as an intrusion, meanwhile the
low value that exist among the intrusion
estimated as lithologies that have altered.
Minerals that exist in the alteration zone
among the bulls eye anomaly dominant
consist of minerals such as muscovite,
allunite, and paragonite (Alrizki, 2013).
Qualitatively, the area in the south and
the center of research area is the area that
analyzed more detail about the existence
and characterization of epithermal high
sulfidation gold deposits.
Quantitative Analysis
Quantitatively, interpretation process
carried out with a mathematical
calculation in curve matching and
forward modelling proses in GM-SYS
menu using Oasis Montaj software.
Based on qualitative interpretation, it
made three lines 2D geological model on
the RTP map with the length of each line
was 2 km (figure 3.b). The lines 2D
geological model consist of line A A
with orientation north-south, line B B
with orientation east-west, and line C
C with orientation east-west too.
In the line A A, a geological
subsurface model that sown in figure 4.a
interpreted as a quartz-diorite intrusion
which breach old volcanic breccia and
andesite lava. The impact of this
geological process, old volcanic breccia
and andesite lava have altered. Above the
alteration zone, have formed the young
lithology that consist of young volcanic
breccia and alluvial sediment. Quartz-
diorite intrusion in the north side 2D
geological modelling has surfaced
slighter then quartz-diorite intrusion in
the south side that breach more peaked.
Susceptibility value of quartz-diorite
intrusion in 2D geological model was
5.10-3 SI and the value for old volcanic
breccia was 9.10-3 SI. Lithology of
andesite lava that exist above the old
volcanic breccia has susceptibility value
1.10-3 SI, while alteration zone that exist
above quartz-diorite intrusion has
susceptibility value 1.10-4 SI. Sediment
deposition that exist in upper layer such
as young volcanic breccia has
susceptibility value 1.10-5 SI.
In 2D geological model subsurface line B
B that shown in figure 4.b, there was
quartz-diorite intrusion with magnetic
intensity value 400 nT that has dimension
with orientation from west to east side
throughout 500 m at the depth 300 m
below the surface. The old volcanic
breccia breached by quartz-diorite
intrusion. In the upper layer, there was
lithology of young volcanic breccia with
alluvial sediment deposits. The result of
this intrusion, old volcanic breccia and
andesite lava have altered. These
alterations exist arround the body of
quartz-diorite intrusion.
The susceptibility value for quartz-
diorite intrusion in 2D geological model
subsurface was 5.10-3 SI, volcanic
breccia was 9.10-3 SI, and susceptibility
value for andesite lava that exist above
old volcanic breccia was 1.10-3 SI. In
upper layer such as young volcanic
breccia and alluvial deposits have
susceptibility value 1.10-5 SI. Alteration
zone that exist surround quartz-diorite
intrusion has susceptibility value 1.10-3
SI.
In 2D geological model subsurface line C
C that shown in figure 4.c there was
quartz-diorite intrusion too at the depth
400 m below the surface that breach old
volcanic breccia and andesite lava. The
existence of quartz-diorite intrusion in
this area made old volcanic breccia
altered partly and its surround the body
of quartz-diorite intrusion. Right above
the old volcanic breccia that altered, there
was andesite lava and young volcanic
breccia.
Susceptibility value of old volcanic
breccia in this model was 2.10-3 SI and
andesite lava was 9.10-4 SI. Old volcanic
breccia and andesite lava that breached
by quartz-diorite has susceptibility value
5.10-3 SI. Low magnetic zone that exists
surround the intrusive body has
susceptibility value 1.10-3 SI. The upper
layer sediment that consist of young
volcanic breccia and alluvial deposits
have susceptibility value 1.10-5 SI.
Conclusion
The processing of total magnetic
intensity value that has reduced to pole
(RTP) shown that the existence of bulls
eye anomaly, with the highest intensity
value was 200 300 nT and it surrounded
by the lowest intensity value, 20 30 nT.
The high intensity value in research area
due to quartz-diorite intrusion that aged
Middle Miocene, and it breach lithology
of old volcanic breccia and andesite lava
that aged Early Oligocene Middle
Miocene at the depth 200 400 m below
the surface.
The low magnetic intensity value in
research area due to the alteration zone of
silica and alunite (1.10-4 SI - 1.10-5 SI)
that surround the body of quartz-diorite
intrusion (2.10-3 SI - 5.10-3 SI). This
alteration zone exists due to geological
process such as a quartz-diorite intrusion,
and the existence of alunite as a result
mineralization process at silica massive
and quartz (Hoschke, 2011). An area with
high prospect economic minerals such as
gold, estimated exist in areas with low
magnetic intensity that surround an area
with high magnetic intensity, exactly in
the center of the research area. Hence,
further analysis needed to estimate the
existence of porphyry system.
Acknowledgment
The name of the prospect area of PT.
ANTAM. Tbk was modified as Tirtayas
prospect area, and some information such
as inclination, declination, and
geological information not mentioned
due to company policy. The author would
like to thank you to PT. ANTAM. Tbk
Unit Geomin, Mr. Satriya Alrizki, ST.,
Mr. Agus Pajrin, ST., and Mr.
Muhammad Akbar. K, S. Si. For
guidance in processing and analyze the
data.
References
Alrizki, S., Rusiana, P. 2013.
Investigation of A High
Sulfidation Epithermal Cu Au
Deposits Using Induced
Polarization and Magnetic
Method in Tirtayasa, Jambi.
Medan: Proceeding HAGI-IAGI
Joint Convention
Hoschke, T. 2011. Geophysical
Signatures of Deposits and
Implications for Exploration.
ARC Centre of Excellence in
Ore Deposits, University
Tasmania
Mekonnen, T. K. 2004. Interpretation
and Geodatabase of Dukes
Using Aeromagnetic Data of
Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Thesis, International Institute for
Geo-information Science and
Earth Observation Enschede,
The Netherlands
Reeve, W. 2010. Geomagnetism
Tutorial. USA: Reeve
Observatory Anchorage Alaska
Simanjuntak, W., Priadi, B., Siswandi.
2014 Geologi dan Studi Kontrol
Struktur Geologi Terhadap
Mineralisasi Daerah Tirtayasa,
Jambi. Purwokerto: Departemen
Geologi, Universitas Jenderal
Soedirman
Telford, W. M., Geldart, L. P., Sheriff, R.
E. 1990. Applied Geophysics
Second Edition. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press
 List of Figures

Figure 1. Geological map of Tirtayasa prospect area (top) and alteration map of Tirtayasa
prospect area (bottom) (Modified from Simanjuntak, 2004)
 a)

b)

c)

Figure 2. a) Tirtayasa prospect total magnetic intensity; b) After upward continuation filter at
elevation 30m; c) RTP magnetic
 a)

b)

Figure 3. a) Interest zone in research area. Bulls eye anomaly shown with a pair high magnetic
intensity that surround with low magnetic intensity; b) Lines of 2D geological model
 a)

b)

c)

Figure 4. 2D geological model at line A A (a), line B B (b), and line C C (c)