High Field Strength Element (HFSE) and Rare Earth Element (REE) Enrichment in Laterite Deposit of High Background Natural Radiation Area (HBNRA) of Mamuju, West Sulawesi, Indonesia

I Gde Sukadana (), Sulaeman, Heri Syaeful, Frederikus Dian Indrastomo, Tyto Baskara Adimedha, Roni Cahya Ciputra, Fadiah Pratiwi, Deni Mustika, Agus Sumaryanto, Muhammad Burhannudinnur, Rr Arum Puni Rijanti, Puji Santosa and Susilo Widodo
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I Gde Sukadana: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Sulaeman: Center for Mineral, Coal, and Geothermal Resources, Geological Agency, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bandung 40254, Indonesia
Heri Syaeful: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Frederikus Dian Indrastomo: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Tyto Baskara Adimedha: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Roni Cahya Ciputra: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Fadiah Pratiwi: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Deni Mustika: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Agus Sumaryanto: Research Center for Nuclear Material and Radioactive Waste Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Muhammad Burhannudinnur: Geological Engineering Department, Trisakti University, Jakarta 11440, Indonesia
Rr Arum Puni Rijanti: Directorate for Policy Formulation of Research, Technology, and Innovation, Deputy for Research and Innovation Policy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Puji Santosa: Research Center for Nuclear Beam Analysis Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
Susilo Widodo: Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia

Resources, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: The Mamuju region in West Sulawesi, Indonesia, is a High Background Natural Radiation Area (HBNRA) characterized by a significant enrichment of high field strength elements (HFSEs) and rare earth elements (REEs) within its lateritic deposits. This study investigates the geochemical behavior, mineralogical distribution, and enrichment processes of HFSEs and REEs in lateritic profiles of drill cores and surface samples derived from alkaline volcanic rocks. The mineralogy and geochemical content of HFSEs and REEs in the alkaline bedrocks indicate its potential to become a source of lateritic enrichment. An intense lateritic weathering process leads to the residual accumulation of HFSEs and REEs, particularly in B-horizon soils, where clay minerals and Fe–Al oxides are crucial in element precipitation. Moreover, groundwater redox conditions are a key factor for uranium precipitation in the lateritic profile. The findings provide insight into the potential of lateritic weathering as a natural mechanism for HFSE and REE concentration, contributing to the broader understanding of critical metal resources in Indonesia. These insights have implications for sustainable resource exploration and environmental management in areas with high natural radiation exposure.

Keywords: HFSE; REE; laterite; Mamuju; HBNRA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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