High Potential of the Low Alkali Content of the Fine-Grained Carbonate Rocks at the Laguindingan-Gitagum Areas, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines

Edward S. Lucero, M.Sc., Juanito A. Manzano, Jr., M.Sc., Joy Christine V. Asis and Beverly Mae M. Brebante

Mines & Geosciences Bureau Region 10
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10
Macabalan, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City

Abstract

Results of the geologic mapping (2006) and the microfossil content revealed that the study area is mainly underlain by Late Miocene to Pleistocene Indahag Limestone. This is in sharp contrast to the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene Opol Formation in previous studies. Results of preliminary chemical analysis show that the low alkali content of 1.9% maximum sodium equivalent suggest that the possible source rock of the raw materials in the area is the fine-grained carbonate rocks (calcisiltite and calcilutite). These raw materials are for highly specialized type of export cement. Although there are interbeds of very thin to thick beds of tuffaceous clastics within the sequence, the study believed that this will not considerably affect the quantity of the resource. Presently, as a recommendation of the detailed study last year and thus, to fully evaluate the resource, a total of 15-16 drill holes within the exploration area is conducted with minimum total depths of 1000 meters. This is to evaluate the distribution of the resource in the area.