Multivariate Analysis of Nickel High Grade at Dunite Boulder Lateritization in Marombo, North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi

The presence of dunite boulders beneath the limonite zone is a lateritization zonation anomaly because it produces high grades of nickel. This research aims to identify boulders as a source of lateritization and evaluate lateritization zonation concerning major elements. Using XRF laboratory data from systematic zonation sampling the entire data is analyzed by matrix scatter and Pearson Correlation statistics. The results of the research show that the lateritization pattern of boulder dunite has the characteristic that the nickel concentration is slightly influenced by topographic factors and groundwater drainage. However, it is more influenced by rock fractures. As a result, nickel grades are certain to increase suddenly and produce high nickel grades. The interference of silica and magnesium is considered small, thus allowing the presence of rare earth elements.