Sidoarjo Mud Volcano Yields Lithium and Rare Earth Elements in New Geological Testing
Geological tests conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources have identified critical minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements, within the mudflow at Siring village in Porong, Sidoarjo, East Java, kompasiana.com reported. The continuous eruption, which began in May 2006, now presents an unexpected geological profile as scientists examine its potential to supply materials for electric vehicle batteries and green energy industries.
Mineral Composition and Hydrothermal Origins
Technical assessments by the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, covering the period from 2020 to 2022, found that sediment samples contain approximately 99 to 280 parts per million of lithium. The same deposits also hold between 255 and 650 parts per million of strontium. Follow-up research confirmed the presence of rare earth elements, though their concentrations remain relatively low and demand further economic feasibility studies. Deep hydrothermal fluids carry these elements to the surface, dissolving remnants of magma and subterranean rock before depositing lithium and strontium within the containment embankments.
Construction Material Use Alongside Environmental Pressures
Solid material extracted from the Sidoarjo mud is already deployed in the construction sector. Research from the Research and Development Center for Mineral and Coal Technology indicates that the mud possesses silica and alumina levels suitable for manufacturing bricks, roof tiles, ceramics, and pottery. Concurrently, environmental reports from WALHI East Java and researchers at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Institut Teknologi Bandung, and Universitas Airlangga point to degraded water quality in the Porong River and surrounding water tables due to elevated salt and heavy metal levels. Geological testing has also discredited popular suggestions that simple concrete pouring could permanently plug the massive hydrothermal vent.
Economic Feasibility and Environmental Priorities
Representatives from the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources noted that economic extraction requires advanced, environmentally sound technology and rigorous feasibility evaluations. Prioritizing community welfare and environmental restoration around Porong remains mandatory before any large-scale industrial harvesting of lithium moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What concentrations of lithium were found in the Sidoarjo mud?
Geological Agency reports from 2020 to 2022 recorded lithium concentrations between 99 and 280 parts per million in the mud sediment samples.
Which Indonesian institutions studied the construction utility of the mud?
The Research and Development Center for Mineral and Coal Technology conducted technical kajian on using the mud’s silica and alumina content for ceramics and bricks.
What do environmental advocates report regarding water quality near Porong?
WALHI East Java and researchers from universities including ITS, ITB, and Universitas Airlangga found that hydrothermal runoff increases salt and heavy metal concentrations in local water tables and the Porong River.
Geological Agency, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of the Republic of Indonesia and Center for Research and Development of Mineral and Coal Technology (Puslitbang tekMIRA / ESDM)
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