Where Did the Source of Gold Suddenly Appear on the Coast of Central Maluku? This is all Page Expert Assumption

KOMPAS.com – Residents of Tamilow Village, Amahai District, Central Maluku Regency, Central Maluku Province, have flocked to pan for gold after the discovery of gold grains on the coast of the village.

Residents use makeshift tools to pan for gold. As a result, there were residents who received up to 10 grams of gold.

Gold panning activities are usually carried out in rivers. Can gold be found on the coast?

Also read: At first I saw the sparkle on the coast, when it was lifted it turned out to be gold

Geologist from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Ambon, Dr Zain Tuakia said that this phenomenon might occur.

“It is possible if there is a source above (upstream). So if, for example, in a mountain there is (gold) it may be eroded and carried by water to the bottom. If there is no source, it is definitely not there,” said Zain to Kompas.com, Tuesday (23/3/2021).

Also read: A series of Facts about the Findings of Gold Granules on the Coast, Expert Explanations to the Regent’s Warning to Residents

Zain explained, in general, gold is under harder rocks, such as quartz or malihan in mountainous areas.

Gold minerals in these hard rocks are formed from primary deposits.

So, the gold in the form of smaller grains on the coast of Tamilow Village was formed due to the presence of plaser deposits.

“So in this water it is upstream. The point is there is erosion and then it is carried away and deposited in rivers and so on. So if the river mouth reaches the beach it will reach the beach as well, that is called the plaser type. So secondary formation is related to sand sediment at rivers and streams. the beach, “he explained.

Primary deposits are in the form of gold grains in rocks which are generally found in quartz rock or in the form of minerals that are formed as a result of the magmatism process.

However, there are also primary deposits formed from the metasomatism process and the presence of hydrothermal activity from the bottom of the earth.

The result of this primary deposition is commonly referred to as metallic gold.

Meanwhile, plaser deposits or better known as secondary deposits are found between the weathering of rocks containing gold due to oxidation and the influence of water circulation in the primary sediment.

Generally, the result of plaser deposits is in the form of alluvial gold in the form of ore slightly larger than common metal gold and has a coarse texture.

According to Zain, the discovery of gold grains on the coast of Tamilow Village indicated a secondary plaser deposition.

Usually the discovery of gold in rivers or beaches occurs because there is erosion in primary sediment sources which are on higher ground.

“Indeed he (gold) is like his grains in sand deposits in coastal rivers and at the foot of hills. So if this sediment is generally carried away by water. Usually if we get it here (the coast) we usually indicate it. or suspecting that there must be a source above. The primary source for example is like we got a rock at that time it was washed away from the mountain, for example like that, “said Zain, who also serves as Secretary of the Indonesian Geological Expert Association for the Maluku Regional Management.

Zain added, from the geological map, the mountainous area around the village has a type of Malihan rock that has the potential to contain gold minerals.

“If I look at the geological map here, all the rocks are facing the mountains upwards. Malihan or metamorous rocks in which the orogenic gold type is formed is primary and then the water is eroded and then washed into the river to the coast,” he said.

Reported to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

Head of the Maluku Province Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Office, Fauzan Chatib, admitted that he had just heard the information on the whereabouts of gold from the regional secretary.

It has seen videos of citizens panning for gold on the beach via social media.

However, he has not received an official report from the Central Maluku Regency Government regarding the truth of the gold discovery.

“We have not received an official report from the Central Makuku regency regarding the truth. I just found out and I saw the video in the WA group. So if there is an official report from the Central Maluku Regional Government regarding the truth of this matter, we will report it to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to take further steps. , “he told Kompas.com via telephone.

Fauzan added that according to Law Number 3 of 2020, authority in the mineral and coal sector has become the authority of the central government and is no longer the authority of the province.(Ambon contributor Rahmat Rahman Patty | Editor Dheri Agriesta)

– .