Multivariate Analysis of Geochemical Data to Determine Critical Minerals in Prigi Beach Sand, Trenggalek

Abstract

Critical minerals are essential elements mainly for industry. As technological advancements, the demand for critical minerals also increases. Critical minerals include Rare Earth Elements (REE), Lithium (Li), Gallium (Ga), Germanium (Ge), Platinum Group Metals (PGM), Indium (In), Beryllium (Be), Tungsten (W), Cobalt (Co), Molybdenum (Mo), Niobium (Nb), Antimony (Sb), Vanadium (V), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Tellurium (Te), Tin (Sn), Thorium (Th), Zirconium (Zr), Hafnium (Hf), Selenium (Se), Rhenium (Re), Phosphate (P), Potassium (K), and others. This study aims is to figure out the distribution of critical minerals in the sand of Prigi Beach, Trenggalek. Chemical elements are determined using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Based on data analysis, critical minerals were detected with the presence of elements such as Al, K, Ca, Si, Ti, P, V, Mn, Cr, Zn, Fe, Sr, Eu, and Cu. Using the Pearson Correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methods. Significant correlations were found between (Al-Zn), (Si with K-Ti-V-Fe-Cu-Eu), (K with Ti-V-Fe-Cu-Eu), (Ca-Sr), (Ti with V-Mn-Fe-Cu-Eu), (V with Fe-Cu-Eu), (Fe-Eu), and (Cu-Eu). The elements that dominate the critical minerals based on geochemical data analysis of the sand revealed three highest concentrations consisting of Fe (41.44%), Si (35.32%), and Ca (10.96%). Base on several previous studies on critical minerals in beach sands, including a study by Endang (2023) it is know that Fe is a dominant element compared to others such Ca, Al, and K. This is due to the influence of various geological conditions and human activities.