Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia, Volume 81, May 2026, pp. 5 – 19
Ion-adsorption clay-type rare earth elements in the Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia: A study on the influence of tin-bearing S-type granites
Fakhruddin Afif Fauzi1,*, Arda Anasha Jamil2, Noran Nabilla Nor Azlan3, Muhammad Azman Aseri4, Azmi Abu Bakar5, Iszaynuddin Abd Hamid5, Yong Adilah Mustafa1, Abdul Hadi Abdul Rahman3, Mohd Zahar Ibrahim6, Tamilarasi Ganasan6
1 Department of Mineral and Geoscience Kedah/Perlis/Pulau Pinang, Jln Perak, Off Jln Putra, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
2 Department of Mineral and Geoscience Headquarters, Level 9, PjH Tower, Precinct 2, 62000 Putrajaya, Malaysia
3 Department of Mineral and Geoscience Negeri Sembilan/Melaka, Jln Tunku Kurshiah, 70400 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
4 Department of Mineral and Geoscience Perak, Jln Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
5 Department of Mineral and Geoscience Sarawak, Jln Wan Abdul Rahman, Kenyalang Park, P.O. Box 56, 93712 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
6 Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia, Technical Service Division, Jln Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
*Corresponding author email address: afif@jmg.gov.my
Abstract: The Late Triassic S-type granites in Peninsular Malaysia are known for their tin-bearing characteristics, which contribute to placer deposits in the Kinta and Klang Valleys. However, the role of these granites in the formation of ion-adsorption clay-type rare earth element (IAC-REE) deposits remains poorly understood. This study examines IAC-REE content in weathered profiles from five locations: Kampung Bandar (Kedah), Tibang (Perak), Kerling (Selangor), Kampung Purun (Negeri Sembilan), and Ladang Pagoh (Johor). The analysis was conducted using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) on soil and rock samples. The total rare earth element (TREE) content in the weathered profiles ranges from 222 to 677 ppm, with higher light rare earth element (TLREE) content (144–566 ppm) compared to heavy rare earth elements (THREE) (62–111 ppm). Chondrite-normalized REE plots show both enrichment and depletion relative to the granitic parent rocks. The variation in REE content is influenced by factors such as the presence of REE-bearing minerals, clay content, and profile thickness.
Keywords: REE, Malaysia, S-type, granites, IAC, economic geology
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Manuscript received 16 January 2025;
Received in revised form 17 April 2025;
Accepted 9 July 2025
Available online 29 May 2026
https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm81202602
0126-6187; 2637-109X / Published by the Geological Society of Malaysia.
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