Study of rare earth elements and heavy metals in tin tailing from mining activities on North Bangka Island

Abstract

Rare earth elements (REE) are important minerals, especially in the defense sector and the modern high biotechnology production materials industry. REE and heavy metals are found in minerals associated with lead deposits. This research was conducted to determine the potential of REE and heavy metals in tailing or waste minerals which are the residual results of mining in tin mining at sea and on land. Sampling locations include primary tin or alluvial tin mines in six locations that represent locations at sea and on land using the analysis of neutron activation analysis (NAA) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) obtained the potential content of REE and heavy metals deposited in primary mines on land. In tailings samples in active mining carried out on land and at sea there are rare earths and heavy metal contents, although with relatively small amounts.