Mineralogy and geochemical characteristics of tin tailing sands at the primary and alluvial deposits in Bangka Island Verry Andre Fabiani, Atiek Rostika Noviyanti, Iman Rahayu, and Gusrizal
Universitas Padjajaran
Abstract
Bangka Island is one of Indonesia^s major tin-producing regions and contains both primary and alluvial tin deposits that generate large amounts of tailing sand. Although these materials are commonly regarded as mining waste, their mineralogy and geochemical characteristics may indicate potential value as secondary raw materials. This study aimed to compare tin tailing sands from primary and alluvial deposits in Bangka Island and evaluate their potential for silica-based functional material applications. Primary tailing sand was collected from Merawang Village, while alluvial tailing sand was obtained from Bakam Village, Sungailiat. The samples were washed, sieved, and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The XRD results showed that both samples were dominated by quartz, with a major diffraction peak at approximately 2θ- = 26.6. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of silica-related functional groups, particularly Si-O-Si vibrations, as well as hydroxyl and silanol groups associated with adsorbed water and quartz surface reactions. XRF analysis revealed high Si contents in both samples, with 93.878 wt% in primary tailings and 95.186 wt% in alluvial tailings. Primary tailings contained higher Al, Fe, and Ti contents, indicating greater mineralogy heterogeneity and stronger influence from parent rocks and hydrothermal processes. In contrast, alluvial tailings were more silica-rich and homogeneous due to weathering, transportation, and hydraulic sorting. These findings suggest that Bangka tin tailing sands have promising potential as alternative raw materials for construction materials, ceramics, glass, adsorbents, geopolymer precursors, catalyst supports, and other silica-based functional materials.
Keywords: tin tailings, Bangka Island, quartz phase, primary deposits, alluvial deposits
