GEOCHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF THE SURIGAO NICKELIFEROUS LATERITES, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES


FERNANDO B. ESGUERRA

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

The nickeliferous deposits, situated within the Surigao Mineral Reservation along northeastem Mindanao, are residual products formed by tropical chemical weathering of ultramafic rocks and their clastic derivatives.


A survey ol the broad field of geochemistry was undertaken and brought to light the influence of several factors on the geochemical character of the metal ions in migrating solutions under surface conditions. The importance of ionic potential, pH, and redox potential are discussed in this paper with the aid of charts, tables, and stability diagrams.


The applicability of a portable DTA apparatus on the mineralogical study of laterite is investigated. Tentative interpretations are drawn from the results.

 

 

 

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