Characterization of Quartz Sand in Bangka and Central Kalimantan Region as Raw Material for Solar Panels

Abstract

The utilization of solar energy as a renewable energy source is becoming an important concern throughout the world. In solar energy, solar radiation is converted into electric current by using solar panels whose raw materials are made of semiconductor materials. The semiconductor material that is commonly used and easily obtained is silicon. The presence of silicon in nature is rarely found in its free form but can be found in the form of silica compounds (SiO2) in quartz minerals. The potential for quartz sand in Indonesia is quite abundant, but the use of quartz sand as raw material for solar panels is still not too massive. Suppose we can maximize the potential of quartz sand as raw material for solar panels. In that case, it will certainly increase the economic value of quartz sand and support the development of renewable energy, especially solar energy in Indonesia. In this study, the characterization of quartz sand in the Bangka and Central Kalimantan region to determine whether the quartz sand met the requirements as raw material for solar panels. Quartz sand characterization was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis.

Full text

International Symposium on
Earth Science
and Technology 2022

Greetings from Cooperative
International Network for Earth Science
and Technology (CINEST)
We are facing with global environmental
problems with problems on resources depletion
at behind. In particular, the rapid increases in
mineral resources and energy consumptions
have cast a shadow over the sustainability of
human activities. The CINEST was founded
in 2008 to enhance cooperative studies and
activities by young researchers and engineers,
because their boldly tackles must be keys and
absolute foundation to solve problems found on
the earth, especially in Asia and Africa. I would
like to emphasize to young researchers that
performing research “by hand” rather than “by
manual” may develop their potential to nd new
solutions.
This international symposium started from 2008
cooperating with The JSPS International Training
Program during 2008 to 2012, supported by
Mitsui-Matsushima Co., Ltd. from 2013 to 2020,
and supported by Leading an Enhanced Notable
Geothermal Optimization (LENGO) Project of
Science and Technology Research Partnership
for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) from
2021. The important objective of the symposium
is strong networking of young researchers to
enhance international collaboration to solve both
of global and domestic problems on mineral
resource and environment.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all of the
organizations and participants, and believe the
symposium will provide fruitful successes for all.
Welcome to “International Symposium on Earth
Science and Engineering 2022.”
Yasuhiro Fujimitsu
CINEST Chair
Organizing Committee (CINEST)
Chair:
Yasuhiro Fujimitsu (Kyushu University, Japan)
Vice-Chairs:
Yuichi Sugai (Kyushu University, Japan)
Budi Sulistianto
(Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia)
Vladimir Kebo
(
VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
)
Xiaoming Zhang (
Liaoning Technical University, China
)
Members:
Keiko Sasaki (Kyushu University, Japan)
Hideki Shimada (Kyushu University, Japan)
Akira Imai (Kyushu University, Japan)
Yasuhiro Yamada (Kyushu University)
Takeshi Tsuji (Tokyo University)
Rudy Sayoga Gautama
(Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia)
Pavel Stasa
(
VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
)
Thitisak Boonpramote
(Chulalongkorn University, Thailand)
Sugeng Surjono (
Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
)
Wisup Bae (Sejong University, Korea)
Nguyen Xuan Huy
(
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam
)
Secretariat:
Akihiro Hamanaka (Kyushu University, Japan)

Steering, Publication and
Fund Committee
Chair:
Jun Nishijima (Kyushu University, Japan)
Members:
Takashi Sasaoka (Kyushu University, Japan)
Kotaro Yonezu (Kyushu University, Japan)
Akihiro Hamanaka (Kyushu University, Japan)
Mitsuo Matsumoto (Kyushu University, Japan)
Arata Kioka (Kyushu University, Japan)
Tatsunori Ikeda (Kyushu University, Japan)
Takehiro Esaki (Kyushu University)
Advisory Committee
Chair:
Hideki Shimada (Kyushu University, Japan)
Vice-Chairs:
Koichiro Watanabe
(
Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan
)
Richard Diaz Alorro (
Curtin University, Australia
)
Members:
Aryo Prawoto Wibowo
(Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia)
Hikari Fujii (Akita University, Japan)
Katsuaki Koike (Kyoto University, Japan)
Hiroshi Takahashi (Tohoku University, Japan)
Naoki Hiroyoshi (Hokkaido University, Japan)
Takehiko Tsuruta
(Hachinohe Institute of Technology, Japan)
Altantuya
(
Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Mongolia
)
Mingwei Zhang
(
China University of Mining and Technology, China
)
Nuhindro Priagung Widodo
(Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia)
Arif Widiatmojo
(
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan
)
Atsushi Sainoki (Kumamoto University, Japan)
Shinji Matsumoto
(
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan
)
Sugeng Wahyudi (
NITTOC CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD, Japan
)
Tatsuya Wakeyama (
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
)
Editorial and Awarding Committee
Chair:
Akira Imai (Kyushu University, Japan)
Members:
Takashi Sasaoka (Kyushu University, Japan)
Akihiro Hamanaka (Kyushu University, Japan)
Naoko Okibe (Kyushu University, Japan)
Hajime Miki (Kyushu University, Japan)
Kotaro Yonezu (Kyushu University, Japan)
Hideki Mizunaga (Kyushu University, Japan)
Jun Nishijima (Kyushu University, Japan)
Saeid Jalilinasrabady (
Kyushu University, Japan
)
Toshiaki Tanaka (Kyushu University, Japan)
Nguele Ronald (Kyushu University, Japan)
Mitsuo Matsumoto (Kyushu University, Japan)
Arata Kioka (Kyushu University, Japan)
Tatsunori Ikeda (Kyushu University, Japan)
Takehiro Esaki (Kyushu University)
Akane Ito (Kyushu University)

Contents
Paper
No. Authors Paper Title Page
Prenary
I Koichiro Watanabe Mining History and Engineering
Education Development in Japan
2
Prenary
II Richard Diaz Alorro
Technospheric Mining of Critical
and Strategic Metals from Mine
Wastes and Anthropogenic Ores
3
1
LY Panhavong, Sirisokha Seang, Kakda Kret,
Kimhouy Oy, Kotaro Yonezu, Koichiro Watanabe
Tola Sreu
Lithology, hydrothermal alteration,
and ore characteristics of Area-1 in
Koh Sla, Chhouk district, Kampot
Province, southern Cambodia
6
2 Kimhak Neak, Kakda Kret, Tola Sreu, Chanmoly
Or and Sirisokha Seang
Petrophysical and Petrographical
Studies for Characterization of
Reservoir Quality of Cambodian
Offshore: A Case Study on the
Khmer Basin in the Gulf of
Thailand
12
3 Rahta HENG, Sopheap PECH, Sreymean SIO,
Chandeoun ENG, Chanmoly OR
Organic Matter Identification of
Black Shale in Phnom Khley,
Bokor Formation, Kampot
Province, Cambodia
16
4
Boeurn Chanmakara, Sirisokha Seang, Kakda
Kret, Kotaro Yonezu, Koichiro Watanabe and
Khin Zaw
Geology and Hydrothermal
Alteration of Skarn Deposit in Area
4, Phnom Sro Ngam Tenement,
Chhouk District, Kampot Province,
Cambodia
20
5 Lytheng THORNG, Chanmoly OR, Sopheap
PECH, Sreymean SIO, Chandoeun ENG
Characteristics of Reservoir
Properties of Bokor Formation,
Kampot Province, Cambodia
26
6 Sreymean Sio, Chanmoly Or, Chandoeun Eng
Review of Sedimentary Basin
Formation and Petroleum System
of Khmer Basin, Offshore
Cambodia
30
－i－

7 Sopheap Pech, Chanmoly Or, Ratha Heng, and
Chandoeun Eng
Identification of Depositional
Environment of Sediments in
Kampong-Som basin, Southern
Part of Cambodia
35
8 Syafrizal, Syafrizal, Andy Yahya Al Hakim,
Periska Rasma, Asti Sulastri
Geochemistry of Bangka Granite
Related to The Occurrences of
REEs:
Case Study on Alluvial and
Laterite Samples
40
9
Syafrizal, Akmal Yahya Hidayat, Wirandika
Mayzzani Hadiana, Mirza Dian Rifaldi, and
Periska Rasma
CHARACTERIZATION OF
QUARTZ SAND IN BANGKA
AND CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
REGION AS RAW MATERIAL
FOR SOLAR PANELS
46
10 Wanyonyi Edwin, Yonezu Kotaro, Akira Imai,
Yokoyama Takushi and Kizito Opondo
Characterization of Amorphous
Silica Scales at Flash Separators in
the Olkaria Geothermal Field,
Naivasha, Kenya
52
11
Ryunosuke Terashi, Saefudin Juhri, Shunsuke
Miyabe, Eiki Watanabe, Kotaro Yonezu¹, Takushi
Yokoyama
A preliminary experiment for
development of a simple evaluation
method of silica scale inhibitors
57
12
Kaito Arisato, Juhri Saefudin, Kotaro Yonezu
Shunsuke Miyabe, Eiki Watanabe, and Takushi
Yokoyama
The formation factors of silica
scale from geothermal water with
low silica concentration and near
neutral pH
63
13
Saefudin Juhri, Kaito Arisato, Ryunosuke Terashi,
Muhammad Istiawan Nurpratama, Agung
Harijoko, Kotaro Yonezu, Takushi Yokoyama
Removal of Iron form Geothermal
Water by Activated Carbon and its
Effect on the Polymerization of
Silicic Acid at Acidic pH
67
14 Eric O. Ansah
Mineral surface reactions
controlling copper leaching in
heaps
73
－ii－

International Symposium on Earth Science and Technology 2022
Characterization of Quartz Sand in Bangka and Central Kalimantan Region as Raw
Material for Solar Panels
Syafrizal1, Akmal Yahya Hidayat2, Wirandika Mayzzani Hadiana2, Mirza Dian Rifaldi2, and Periska Rasma2
1Earth Resources Exploration Research Group, Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Institut Teknologi
Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
2Mining Engineering, Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha
10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
ABSTRACT
The utilization of solar energy as a renewable energy source is becoming an important concern throughout the
world. In solar energy, solar radiation is converted into electric current by using solar panels whose raw materials
are made of semiconductor materials. The semiconductor material that is commonly used and easily obtained is
silicon. The presence of silicon in nature is rarely found in its free form but can be found in the form of silica
compounds (SiO2) in quartz minerals. The potential for quartz sand in Indonesia is quite abundant, but the use of
quartz sand as raw material for solar panels is still not too massive. Suppose we can maximize the potential of
quartz sand as raw material for solar panels. In that case, it will certainly increase the economic value of quartz
sand and support the development of renewable energy, especially solar energy in Indonesia. In this study, the
characterization of quartz sand in the Bangka and Central Kalimantan region to determine whether the quartz sand
met the requirements as raw material for solar panels. Quartz sand characterization was carried out using Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
(ICP-MS) analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The utilization of renewable energy to reduce the use
of fossil energy is currently an important concern
throughout the world. One of the renewable energies
that have considerable potential is solar energy. In
solar energy, solar radiation is converted into electric
current using solar panels whose raw materials are
made of semiconductor materials. The semiconductor
material that is commonly used and easily obtained is
silicon. The presence of silicon in nature is rarely
found in its free form but can be found in the form of
silica compounds (SiO2) in quartz minerals.
Indonesia has abundant quartz sand potential. Based
on data from Indonesia's Mineral, Coal, and
Geothermal Resources and Reserve Balance in 2020,
Indonesia has a total quartz sand resource of 2.1 billion
tons and a total reserve of 332 million tons (Ministry
of Energy and Mineral Resources, 2020). The potential
for quartz sand is spread in almost all parts of
Indonesia, especially in areas with lithology of granite
or felsic rocks that are rich in quartz minerals, such as
Bangka and Central Kalimantan. Although Indonesia
has abundant potential for quartz sand, the utilization
of quartz sand as raw material for solar panels is still
not massive. Suppose the potential of quartz sand can
be maximized as a raw material for solar panels. In that
case, it will certainly increase the economic value of
quartz sand and support the development of renewable
energy in Indonesia.
OUTLINE OF REGIONAL GEOLOGY
In general, the area of the Bangka Belitung Islands is
crossed by the granitic belt of Southeast Asia. This
granitic belt or tin belt extends north-south with a
length of 2,800 km and a width of 400 km, extending
from Myanmar, Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia to
the Bangka Belitung Islands. A total of 9.6 million tons
of tin, equivalent to 54% of world tin production,
comes from this region (Schwartz et al., 1995).
Fig 1 Southeast-asian tin belt (modified from Ng et al., 2017)
46
－46－

CINEST 22-09 [Full Paper]
Meanwhile, the Central Kalimantan area is traversed
by the Central Kalimantan continental arc, which
extends from northeastern Kalimantan to the south
through Central and West Kalimantan and continues to
Sarawak. Pre-Cretaceous rocks, including Mesozoic
sediments, are on top of Paleozoic schist and phyllites,
formed during orogenesis in the Early Mesozoic
(Hutchinson, 1989). This arc was last intruded by
granite in the Late Triassic, possibly also the formation
of a lead pathway in Southeast Asia in the Early
Mesozoic, where it was also intruded by Early
Cretaceous pluton as can be found in the Schwaner
Mountains. In the mid-Eocene, 49.7 and 48.6 million
years old rhyolite tuff was formed (Carlile and
Mitchell, 1994).
Fig 2 Central Kalimantan magmatic arc (modified from
Carlile and Mitchell, 1994)
LITERATURE REVIEW
Quartz is a very common mineral; this mineral consists
of chemical compounds of silicon and oxygen in the
form of silicon dioxide (SiO2), commonly called silica.
Quartz is not only the most important silica mineral but
is also abundant in the earth's crust. Quartz minerals
can be found in igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks, and
sedimentary rocks (Götze, 2012). Quartz sand is the
result of weathering felsic igneous rocks such as
granite, gneiss, or other rocks containing the main
mineral quartz. The chemical composition of quartz
sand in Indonesia is generally as follows: SiO2 55.30-
99.87%, Fe2O3 0.01-9.14%, Al2O3 0.01-18.00%, TiO2
0.01-0.49% , CaO 0.01-3.24%, MgO 0.01-0.26%, and
K2O 0.01-17.00% (Mulyani, 2012).
So far, the largest use of quartz sand is in the glass-
making industry sector. High-purity silica sand is used
in the glass-making industry to produce container glass,
flat plate glass, speciality glass, and fibreglass. Since
quartz is an abrasive material, finely ground quartz
sand can be used for sand blasting, scouring cleaners,
grinding media, and as a base for sandpaper. Quartz is
very resistant to chemicals and heat; therefore, quartz
sand is often used as an admixture in foundries. With a
higher melting point than most metals, quartz sand can
be used as a mould material for various metals
(Balasubramanian, 2017).
In addition, silicon extracted from very high purity
silica sand can be used as raw material for solar panels
because it has high energy conversion efficiency,
relatively low production costs compared to using
other elements, is abundant quantities in nature, is
environmentally friendly, and shows long-term
stability (Xakalashe, 2012).
Based on the Galalar Silica Sands Project Report
initiated by Diatreme Resources in 2020, quartz sand
used as raw material for solar panels requires
specifications, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Specifications of quartz sand as raw material for
solar panels (Diatreme Corporate Presentation, 2020)
No
Major oxide
Content
1
Silicon dioxide
>99.7%
2
Iron oxide
<85 ppm
3
Titanium dioxide
<140 ppm
4
Alumunium dioxide
<500 ppm
Particle size: 109-700 microns (24-140 mesh)
The raw material for the Galalar Silica Sands Project
is taken from quartz sand, with the specifications
shown in Table 2.
The purity of natural quartz can be increased through
a combination of microwave, magnetic and chemical
treatments to produce suitable raw material for
producing solar-grade silicon. However, this
purification process can increase production costs and
require expensive costs (Zhong, 2021).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research sample was taken by grab sampling
method using a shovel and then put in a 2 kg zip lock
plastic. In the Bangka area, 17 samples were taken,
including seven stockpile types samples, nine tailings
left over from tin mining, and one alluvial sample
taken on the beach. Meanwhile, in Central Kalimantan,
19 samples were taken, with details of 9 samples being
taken from the residual area of quartz sand mining and
ten samples of alluvial type taken from the river area.
Sample Preparation
Sample preparation was drying samples, coning and
quartering, and sifting samples. After the sieving
process is complete, there are five size fractions of
quartz sand; samples with a size fraction of +35 mesh,
-35+60 mesh, -60+80 mesh, -80+120 mesh, and -120
mesh. Quartz sand size distribution per fraction can be
seen in Figures 4 and 5.
47
International Symposium on Earth Science and Technology 2022
Characterization of Quartz Sand in Bangka and Central Kalimantan Region as Raw
Material for Solar Panels
Syafrizal1, Akmal Yahya Hidayat2, Wirandika Mayzzani Hadiana2, Mirza Dian Rifaldi2, and Periska Rasma2
1Earth Resources Exploration Research Group, Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Institut Teknologi
Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
2Mining Engineering, Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha
10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
ABSTRACT
The utilization of solar energy as a renewable energy source is becoming an important concern throughout the
world. In solar energy, solar radiation is converted into electric current by using solar panels whose raw materials
are made of semiconductor materials. The semiconductor material that is commonly used and easily obtained is
silicon. The presence of silicon in nature is rarely found in its free form but can be found in the form of silica
compounds (SiO2) in quartz minerals. The potential for quartz sand in Indonesia is quite abundant, but the use of
quartz sand as raw material for solar panels is still not too massive. Suppose we can maximize the potential of
quartz sand as raw material for solar panels. In that case, it will certainly increase the economic value of quartz
sand and support the development of renewable energy, especially solar energy in Indonesia. In this study, the
characterization of quartz sand in the Bangka and Central Kalimantan region to determine whether the quartz sand
met the requirements as raw material for solar panels. Quartz sand characterization was carried out using Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
(ICP-MS) analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The utilization of renewable energy to reduce the use
of fossil energy is currently an important concern
throughout the world. One of the renewable energies
that have considerable potential is solar energy. In
solar energy, solar radiation is converted into electric
current using solar panels whose raw materials are
made of semiconductor materials. The semiconductor
material that is commonly used and easily obtained is
silicon. The presence of silicon in nature is rarely
found in its free form but can be found in the form of
silica compounds (SiO2) in quartz minerals.
Indonesia has abundant quartz sand potential. Based
on data from Indonesia's Mineral, Coal, and
Geothermal Resources and Reserve Balance in 2020,
Indonesia has a total quartz sand resource of 2.1 billion
tons and a total reserve of 332 million tons (Ministry
of Energy and Mineral Resources, 2020). The potential
for quartz sand is spread in almost all parts of
Indonesia, especially in areas with lithology of granite
or felsic rocks that are rich in quartz minerals, such as
Bangka and Central Kalimantan. Although Indonesia
has abundant potential for quartz sand, the utilization
of quartz sand as raw material for solar panels is still
not massive. Suppose the potential of quartz sand can
be maximized as a raw material for solar panels. In that
case, it will certainly increase the economic value of
quartz sand and support the development of renewable
energy in Indonesia.
OUTLINE OF REGIONAL GEOLOGY
In general, the area of the Bangka Belitung Islands is
crossed by the granitic belt of Southeast Asia. This
granitic belt or tin belt extends north-south with a
length of 2,800 km and a width of 400 km, extending
from Myanmar, Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia to
the Bangka Belitung Islands. A total of 9.6 million tons
of tin, equivalent to 54% of world tin production,
comes from this region (Schwartz et al., 1995).
Fig 1 Southeast-asian tin belt (modified from Ng et al., 2017)
46
－47－

CINEST 22-09 [Full Paper]
Table 2 Specifications of raw material quartz sand galalar silica sands project (Diatreme Corporate Presentation, 2020)
JORC
Resource
Category
Silica sand
(tons)
Silica sand
(m3)
Cut-off
Grade SiO2
(%)
SiO
2
(%)
Fe
2
O
3
(%)
TiO
2
(%)
LOI
(%)
Al
2
O
3
(%)
Density
(ton/m3)
Measured
43,120,000
26,950,000
98.5
99.21
0.09
0.11
0.16
0.13
1.6
Indicated
23,120,000
14,450,000
98.5
99.16
0.09
0.13
0.24
0.10
1.6
Inferred
9,220,000
5,760,000
98.5
99.10
0.11
0.16
0.27
0.11
1.6
Total
75,460,000
47,160,000
98.5
99.18
0.09
0.12
0.20
0.12
1.6
.
Fig 3 Bar diagram of quartz sand distribution per fraction
from the Bangka areas
Fig 4 Bar diagram of quartz sand distribution per fraction
from the Central Kalimantan areas
Grain Counting Analysis
Grain Counting analysis was carried out on all samples
to determine the presence of minerals in all samples
and their levels. The grain count analysis was carried
out using a binocular microscope at the Laboratory of
Mineralogy, Microscopy, and Geochemistry of the
Mining Engineering Study Program ITB.
Fig 5 Bar diagram of grain counting analysis from Bangka
quartz sand samples
Fig 6 Bar diagram of grain counting analysis from Central
Kalimantan quartz sand samples
Fig 7 Minerals identified in grain counting observations
The results of grain counting analysis were carried out
on 17 samples from Bangka and 19 samples from
Central Kalimantan, which selected eight
representative samples from each area. It represents
the sampling location and has the highest purity based
on quartz sand. In the next stage, SEM, XRF, and ICP-
MS analyses were carried out on those samples.
48
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CINEST 22-09 [Full Paper]
DISCUSSION
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
Analysis Results
SEM analysis was carried out to see the appearance of
mineral grains with high resolution microscopically.
These observations will provide information on the
surface topography, shape, and size of mineral grains.
SEM analysis was carried out on the eight samples
taken in each Bangka and Central Kalimantan areas, in
a fraction of -35+60 mesh and 30 x magnification.
SEM analysis activities were carried out at the
Hydrogeology Laboratory of the Mining Engineering
Study Program ITB using the area analysis method and
spot analysis in grains with high elemental content.
Fig 8 PA-3 sample photomicrograph with red circle spotted
Tab l e 3 PA-3 sample spot analysis results
ZAF method standardless quantitative analysis
Fitting coefficient: 0.0878
Element
(keV)
Mass (%)
Sigma
Atom (%)
K
O K
0.525
56.05
0.31
69.12
60.8653
Al K
1.486
1.59
0.04
1.16
1.2802
Si K
1.739
42.23
0.20
29.66
37.7333
K K
3.312
0.06
0.02
0.03
0.0517
Fe K
6.398
0.08
0.04
0.03
0.0696
Total
100.00
100.00
Based on SEM analysis on quartz sand samples from
Bangka and Central Kalimantan, there are two
elements with high abundance, namely Si and Al. The
high Al content is a concern caused by the
specifications of quartz sand as raw material for solar
panels. Al acts as an impurity in quartz sand with the
parameters listed in Table 1. All quartz sand samples
have various roundness levels ranging from sub-
angular, angular, to very angular.
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analysis Results
XRF analysis was carried out to determine the content
of major oxide elements, which consist of 10 major
elements that make up rocks. SEM analysis was
carried out on the eight samples taken in Bangka and
Central Kalimantan with a fraction of -35+60 mesh.
XRF analysis activities were carried out at the
Hydrogeology Laboratory of the Mining Engineering
Study Program ITB. Based on the results of XRF
analysis conducted on quartz sand samples from the
Bangka area, it is known that several major oxide
elements have very little abundance below the
detection limit. The major oxide elements are MnO,
MgO, and K2O. The mineral content of quartz (SiO2)
in all samples varied from 69.817% to 95.604%. The
mineral impurity with the highest content is Al2O3,
with levels of 3.3% to 29.049%. In addition to being
the highest concentration of impurities, Al2O3 can be
found in all quartz sand samples.
Tab l e 4 Normalized XRF analysis of Bangka quartz sand
samples
No
Majo r
oxide
(%)
PA1 PA2 PA3 TB2 TB3 PB2 PB3 PB4
1
SiO2
90.2
95.6
87.8
92.4
69.8
93.3
83.5
93.0
2
TiO2
nd
nd
nd
nd
0.28
nd
nd
nd
3
Fe2O3
0.305
0.07
0.37
0.05
nd
nd
nd
0.05
4
Al2O3
7.83
3.3
10.9
6.8
29.0
5.8
15.6
6.09
5
MnO
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
6
MgO
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
7
CaO
0.12
0.11
0.11
0.11
0.09
0.08
0.09
0.11
8
Na2O
0.99
0.09
0.28
0.13
0.33
0.18
0.24
0.14
9
K2O
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
10
P2O5
0.52
0.81
0.54
0.51
0.43
0.61
0.54
0.58
Total
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
*nd is not detected (under detection limit)
Meanwhile, based on the results of XRF analysis on
samples from Central Kalimantan, the mineral content
of quartz (SiO2) in all samples is in the range of
97.91% to 99.14%. Mineral impurities with the highest
levels are P2O5, with levels of 0.67% to 0.81%. In
addition to being the highest concentration of
impurities, P2O5 can be found in all quartz sand
samples.
Table 5 Normalized XRF analysis of Central Kalimantan
quartz sand samples
No
Majo r
oxide
(%)
TA3 TA4 TB2 AC3 AD1 AE2 TF1 AG1
1
SiO2
99.06
98.89
99.14
98.55
98.82
98.63
98.93
97.91
2
TiO2
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
0.44
nd
0.27
3
Al2O3
nd
0.33
nd
0.56
0.27
nd
0.24
0.89
4
CaO
0.11
0.11
0.13
0.12
0.12
0.10
0.10
0.12
5
K2O
0.03
nd
nd
nd
nd
0.04
0.04
0.04
6
P2O5
0.81
0.67
0.68
0.78
0.78
0.74
0.69
0.78
7
Ag2O
nd
nd
0.05
nd
nd
0.03
nd
nd
8
ZrO2
nd
nd
nd
nd
0.01
0.02
nd
nd
Total
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
*nd is not detected (under detection limit)
Results of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass
Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Analysis
ICP-MS analysis was carried out to determine the
content of impurity elements in the quartz sand sample.
The quartz analyzed samples had been washed and
separated from other minerals by hand-picking method.
It was expected to simulate the purity of quartz grains
processed on an industrial scale, subjectively. ICP-MS
analysis was carried out on 16 samples (8 samples
from each area) at the PT Intertek Utama Service.
Table 6 ICP-MS analysis of Bangka quartz sand samples
No
Element
(pp m)
Ti Fe Al Mn Mg Ca Na K
1
PA1
168.48
12295.42
7841.43
130.41
49.75
111.94
161.76
1337.11
2
PA2
131.78
16155.61
2645.30
171.73
66.33
111.94
80.88
204.78
3
PA3
296.92
12438.39
17213.35
139.45
66.33
125.93
148.28
843.22
4
TB2
295.25
11294.63
2796.46
123.96
66.33
125.93
121.32
204.78
5
TB3
417.03
18014.22
10770.15
188.52
66.33
83.95
94.36
252.97
6
PB2
155.13
15583.73
3438.89
161.40
49.75
97.94
107.84
301.15
7
PB3
305.26
14154.03
6726.62
162.69
530.62
615.65
337.00
361.38
8
PB4
225.19
15154.82
3930.16
162.69
132.66
139.92
94.36
240.92
49
CINEST 22-09 [Full Paper]
Table 2 Specifications of raw material quartz sand galalar silica sands project (Diatreme Corporate Presentation, 2020)
JORC
Resource
Category
Silica sand
(tons)
Silica sand
(m3)
Cut-off
Grade SiO2
(%)
SiO
2
(%)
Fe
2
O
3
(%)
TiO
2
(%)
LOI
(%)
Al
2
O
3
(%)
Density
(ton/m3)
Measured
43,120,000
26,950,000
98.5
99.21
0.09
0.11
0.16
0.13
1.6
Indicated
23,120,000
14,450,000
98.5
99.16
0.09
0.13
0.24
0.10
1.6
Inferred
9,220,000
5,760,000
98.5
99.10
0.11
0.16
0.27
0.11
1.6
Total
75,460,000
47,160,000
98.5
99.18
0.09
0.12
0.20
0.12
1.6
.
Fig 3 Bar diagram of quartz sand distribution per fraction
from the Bangka areas
Fig 4 Bar diagram of quartz sand distribution per fraction
from the Central Kalimantan areas
Grain Counting Analysis
Grain Counting analysis was carried out on all samples
to determine the presence of minerals in all samples
and their levels. The grain count analysis was carried
out using a binocular microscope at the Laboratory of
Mineralogy, Microscopy, and Geochemistry of the
Mining Engineering Study Program ITB.
Fig 5 Bar diagram of grain counting analysis from Bangka
quartz sand samples
Fig 6 Bar diagram of grain counting analysis from Central
Kalimantan quartz sand samples
Fig 7 Minerals identified in grain counting observations
The results of grain counting analysis were carried out
on 17 samples from Bangka and 19 samples from
Central Kalimantan, which selected eight
representative samples from each area. It represents
the sampling location and has the highest purity based
on quartz sand. In the next stage, SEM, XRF, and ICP-
MS analyses were carried out on those samples.
48
－49－

CINEST 22-09 [Full Paper]
Table 7 ICP-MS analysis of the Central Kalimantan quartz
sand samples
No
Element
(pp m)
Ti Al Fe Ca K P Na Zr
1
TA3
342
1719
8149
<69.96
24.09
<114.58
53.92
1.76
2
TA4
333.6
1115
7434
97.94
<24.09
<114.58
121.3
1.22
3
TB2
168.5
907
6005
<69.96
<24.09
<114.58
67.4
1.08
4
AC3
1066
3212
7577
83.95
240.9
<114.58
94.36
3.65
5
AD1
410.4
1228
7291
<69.96
<24.09
<114.58
53.92
2.57
6
AE2
3603
3118
6148
<69.96
36.14
<114.58
67.4
39.04
7
TF1
415.4
2589
8864
181.9
72.28
<114.58
134.8
1.49
8
AG1
1319
1984
6863
83.95
36.14
<114.58
94.36
2.57
The Feasibility of Quartz Sand in the Bangka
Region as Raw Material for Solar Panels
Tab le 8 Comparison of quartz sand specifications as raw
material for solar panels with Bangka quartz sand samples
Silicon
dioxide
(%)
Iron oxide
(ppm)
Titanium
dioxide
(ppm)
Aluminium
dioxide (ppm)
Specification*
>99.7
<85
<140
<500
PA-1
90.2
12295
168.4
7841
PA-2
95.6
16155
131.7
2645
PA-3
87.8
12438
296.9
17213
TB-2
92.3
11294
295.2
2796
TB-3
69.8
18014
417.0
10770
PB-2
93.3
15583
155.1
3438
PB-3
83.4
14154
305.2
6726
PB-4
93.0
15154
225.1
3930
*Galalar Silica Sands Project
Table 8 shows that all samples of quartz sand in the
Bangka area have not met the specifications for quartz
sand as raw material for solar panels. Samples PA-1
and PA-2 taken from the Perlang area and TB-2, PB-2,
and PB-4 taken from the Mapur area have quite high
SiO2 content (>90%). The content is far above the
specifications in terms of impurities, especially iron
oxide and aluminium oxide.
Tab l e 9 Comparison of quartz sand specifications as raw
material for solar panels with the Central Kalimantan quartz
sand samples
Silicon
dioxide
(%)
Iron oxide
(ppm)
Titanium
dioxide
(ppm)
Aluminium
dioxide
(ppm)
Specification*
>99.7
<85
<140
<500
TA3
99.06
8149
342
1719
TA4
98.89
7434
333.6
1115
TB2
99.14
6005
168.5
907
AC3
98.55
7577
1066
3212
AD1
98.82
7291
410.4
1228
AE2
98.63
6148
3603
3118
TF1
98.93
8864
415.4
2589
AG1
97.91
6863
1319
1984
*Galalar Silica Sands Project
Table 9 shows that all samples of quartz sand in the
Central Kalimantan area have not met the
specifications for quartz sand as raw material for solar
panels. All samples have high purity (>97-99%). The
content is far above the specifications regarding those
impurities, especially iron oxide and aluminium oxide.
Quartz sand samples from the Bangka and Central
Kalimantan regions still have the potential to be used
as raw materials for solar panels. However, further
purification processes are needed for the quartz sand
samples to meet the specifications as raw materials for
solar panels.
CONCLUSION
The specifications for quartz sand as raw material for
solar panels, the Galalar Silica Sands Project, which
Diatreme Resources initiated in 2020, contains silicon
dioxide at 99.7%, iron oxide at 85 ppm, titanium oxide
at 140 ppm, ad aluminium oxide at 500 ppm. Based on
the analysis results, samples of quartz sand in the
Bangka areacontained silicon dioxide 69.817%–
95.604%, iron oxide 11294.63–18014.22 ppm,
titanium oxide 131.78–417.03 ppm, and aluminium
oxide 2645.3 –17213.35 ppm. Meanwhile, quartz sand
samples from the Central Kalimantan region contained
silicon dioxide content of 97.91%–99.14%, iron oxide
6005–8864 ppm, titanium oxide content of 168.5–
3603 ppm, and aluminium oxide 907–3212 ppm. Thus,
the quartz sand in the Bangka and Central Kalimantan
regions has not met the specifications as raw materials
for solar panels. Quartz sand in the Bangka area,
especially Central Kalimantan, with high purity, still
has potential as a raw material for solar panels, but it
requires a complex and expensive refining process.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author would like to thank LPPM ITB as a funder
of Community Service Bottom-Up Program ITB 2022.
REFERENCES
Balasubramanian, A., Quartz Group of Minerals,
(2017).
Carlile, J.C., and Mitchell, A.H.G., Magmatic Arcs and
Associated Gold Copper Mineralization in
Indonesia, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 50,
pp.91-142 (1994).
Diatreme Corporate Presentation., Advanced, High
Grade, Low-Cost Silica Project Located Adjacent
the World’s Largest Silica Mine, Coorparoo
Diatreme Resources (2020).
Götze, J., Classification, Mineralogy and Industrial
Potential of SiO2 Minerals and Rocks. Quartz:
Deposits, Mineralogy and Analytics, (2012).
Hutchison, C. S., Geological Evolution of South-East
Asia, Oxford Monographs on Geology and
Geophysics, 13(15), pp.368 (1989).
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources., Neraca
Sumber Daya dan Cadangan Mineral, Batubara,
dan Panas Bumi Indonesia Tahun 2020., Pusat
Mineral Batubara dan Panas Bumi, Jakarta (2020)
Mulyani, S. Y., Naskah Ilmiah Kajian Lingkungan
Pemanfaatan Pasir Kuarsa, Kementrian Pekerjaan
Umum Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pusat
Penelitian dan Pengembangan Jalan dan Jembatan,
Bandung (2012).
Ng, S. W. P., Whitehouse, M. J., Roselee, M. H.,
Teschner, C., Murtadha, S., Oliver, G. J. H., Ghani,
A. A., and Chang, S. C., Late Triassic granites from
Bangka, Indonesia: A continuation of the Main
Range granite province of the South-East Asian Tin
Belt, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 138, pp.548–
561 (2017).
Schwartz, M. O., Rajah, S. S., Askury, A. K.,
50
－50－

CINEST 22-09 [Full Paper]
Putthapiban, P., and Djaswadi, S., The Southeast
Asian tin belt, Earth Science Reviews, 38(4),
pp.95–293 (1995).
Xakalashe, B. S., Silicon Processing: From Quartz to
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells, NTNU,
Johannesburg (2012).
Zhong, T., Yu, W., She, C., and Wu, X., Research on
Preparation and Characterisation of High-purity
Silica Sands by Purification of Quartz Vein Ore
from Dabie Mountain, (2021).
51
CINEST 22-09 [Full Paper]
Table 7 ICP-MS analysis of the Central Kalimantan quartz
sand samples
No
Element
(pp m)
Ti Al Fe Ca K P Na Zr
1
TA3
342
1719
8149
<69.96
24.09
<114.58
53.92
1.76
2
TA4
333.6
1115
7434
97.94
<24.09
<114.58
121.3
1.22
3
TB2
168.5
907
6005
<69.96
<24.09
<114.58
67.4
1.08
4
AC3
1066
3212
7577
83.95
240.9
<114.58
94.36
3.65
5
AD1
410.4
1228
7291
<69.96
<24.09
<114.58
53.92
2.57
6
AE2
3603
3118
6148
<69.96
36.14
<114.58
67.4
39.04
7
TF1
415.4
2589
8864
181.9
72.28
<114.58
134.8
1.49
8
AG1
1319
1984
6863
83.95
36.14
<114.58
94.36
2.57
The Feasibility of Quartz Sand in the Bangka
Region as Raw Material for Solar Panels
Tab le 8 Comparison of quartz sand specifications as raw
material for solar panels with Bangka quartz sand samples
Silicon
dioxide
(%)
Iron oxide
(ppm)
Titanium
dioxide
(ppm)
Aluminium
dioxide (ppm)
Specification*
>99.7
<85
<140
<500
PA-1
90.2
12295
168.4
7841
PA-2
95.6
16155
131.7
2645
PA-3
87.8
12438
296.9
17213
TB-2
92.3
11294
295.2
2796
TB-3
69.8
18014
417.0
10770
PB-2
93.3
15583
155.1
3438
PB-3
83.4
14154
305.2
6726
PB-4
93.0
15154
225.1
3930
*Galalar Silica Sands Project
Table 8 shows that all samples of quartz sand in the
Bangka area have not met the specifications for quartz
sand as raw material for solar panels. Samples PA-1
and PA-2 taken from the Perlang area and TB-2, PB-2,
and PB-4 taken from the Mapur area have quite high
SiO2 content (>90%). The content is far above the
specifications in terms of impurities, especially iron
oxide and aluminium oxide.
Tab l e 9 Comparison of quartz sand specifications as raw
material for solar panels with the Central Kalimantan quartz
sand samples
Silicon
dioxide
(%)
Iron oxide
(ppm)
Titanium
dioxide
(ppm)
Aluminium
dioxide
(ppm)
Specification*
>99.7
<85
<140
<500
TA3
99.06
8149
342
1719
TA4
98.89
7434
333.6
1115
TB2
99.14
6005
168.5
907
AC3
98.55
7577
1066
3212
AD1
98.82
7291
410.4
1228
AE2
98.63
6148
3603
3118
TF1
98.93
8864
415.4
2589
AG1
97.91
6863
1319
1984
*Galalar Silica Sands Project
Table 9 shows that all samples of quartz sand in the
Central Kalimantan area have not met the
specifications for quartz sand as raw material for solar
panels. All samples have high purity (>97-99%). The
content is far above the specifications regarding those
impurities, especially iron oxide and aluminium oxide.
Quartz sand samples from the Bangka and Central
Kalimantan regions still have the potential to be used
as raw materials for solar panels. However, further
purification processes are needed for the quartz sand
samples to meet the specifications as raw materials for
solar panels.
CONCLUSION
The specifications for quartz sand as raw material for
solar panels, the Galalar Silica Sands Project, which
Diatreme Resources initiated in 2020, contains silicon
dioxide at 99.7%, iron oxide at 85 ppm, titanium oxide
at 140 ppm, ad aluminium oxide at 500 ppm. Based on
the analysis results, samples of quartz sand in the
Bangka areacontained silicon dioxide 69.817%–
95.604%, iron oxide 11294.63–18014.22 ppm,
titanium oxide 131.78–417.03 ppm, and aluminium
oxide 2645.3 –17213.35 ppm. Meanwhile, quartz sand
samples from the Central Kalimantan region contained
silicon dioxide content of 97.91%–99.14%, iron oxide
6005–8864 ppm, titanium oxide content of 168.5–
3603 ppm, and aluminium oxide 907–3212 ppm. Thus,
the quartz sand in the Bangka and Central Kalimantan
regions has not met the specifications as raw materials
for solar panels. Quartz sand in the Bangka area,
especially Central Kalimantan, with high purity, still
has potential as a raw material for solar panels, but it
requires a complex and expensive refining process.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author would like to thank LPPM ITB as a funder
of Community Service Bottom-Up Program ITB 2022.
REFERENCES
Balasubramanian, A., Quartz Group of Minerals,
(2017).
Carlile, J.C., and Mitchell, A.H.G., Magmatic Arcs and
Associated Gold Copper Mineralization in
Indonesia, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 50,
pp.91-142 (1994).
Diatreme Corporate Presentation., Advanced, High
Grade, Low-Cost Silica Project Located Adjacent
the World’s Largest Silica Mine, Coorparoo
Diatreme Resources (2020).
Götze, J., Classification, Mineralogy and Industrial
Potential of SiO2 Minerals and Rocks. Quartz:
Deposits, Mineralogy and Analytics, (2012).
Hutchison, C. S., Geological Evolution of South-East
Asia, Oxford Monographs on Geology and
Geophysics, 13(15), pp.368 (1989).
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources., Neraca
Sumber Daya dan Cadangan Mineral, Batubara,
dan Panas Bumi Indonesia Tahun 2020., Pusat
Mineral Batubara dan Panas Bumi, Jakarta (2020)
Mulyani, S. Y., Naskah Ilmiah Kajian Lingkungan
Pemanfaatan Pasir Kuarsa, Kementrian Pekerjaan
Umum Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pusat
Penelitian dan Pengembangan Jalan dan Jembatan,
Bandung (2012).
Ng, S. W. P., Whitehouse, M. J., Roselee, M. H.,
Teschner, C., Murtadha, S., Oliver, G. J. H., Ghani,
A. A., and Chang, S. C., Late Triassic granites from
Bangka, Indonesia: A continuation of the Main
Range granite province of the South-East Asian Tin
Belt, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 138, pp.548–
561 (2017).
Schwartz, M. O., Rajah, S. S., Askury, A. K.,
50
－51－