Geostatistical Modeling of Cassiterite in Merawang District, Bangka Regency

Abstract

Abstract The impact of tin mining not only removes soil fertility but changes existing landscapes and ecosystems. It also produces tailings and large openings (pit) in the post-mining land. As shown by the visualization of land tones and topography in Merawang District, Bangka Regency, which was damaged by active mining. Based on the visualization of the baseline, this area has unique sand characteristics and contains cassiterite minerals and is of economic value. For this reason, this study aimed to look at the distribution patterns of cassiterite minerals that existed at six post-mining land sites in Merawang District based on the sand characteristics at these locations. In this case, the sand sample is tested using XRF Portable, so that it produces cassiterite content, namely Tin (Sn), Zircon (Zr), Titanium (Ti), and Sulfur (S). Based on the geostatistical method the best model of anisotropic semivariogram, there is a relationship between post-mining locations and the distribution of the cassiterite mineral content is more to the northwest of Merawang District. The estimated pattern of distribution of these four minerals provides an overview that can minimize environmental damage due to mining activities in Merawang District, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia.