• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.287-297
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• 2008

In order to estimate the preliminary development feasibility according to the commodity, the content of 8 strategic metallic commoditites(Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, W, Au, U) in 68 ore specimens obtained from 34 metallic mines within the Taebaegsan-Hwanggangri mineralized zone were analyzed. Analytical results are as follows. The ore specimen of Sangdong mine contained 23% copper(cut-off grade=0.7%) and those of Cheongil and Samhwanghak mines contained average 5% zinc(cut-off grade=2.0%). Especially, the detailed investigation on the above-mentioned mines is required. And, in case of molybdenum(cut-off grade=0.02%) content in Yeonhwa No. 2(0.04%) and Hong-cheon mine(0.02%), and lead(cut-off grade=0.58%) content in Wongasa mine(0.70%), and gold(cut-off grade=10ppm) content in Dongmyoung(279ppm) and Samhwanghak mine(251ppm), it is required to elastically carry out the revaluation on reopening of mines in terms of the international metal price. On the other hand, in case of uranium, iron and tungsten, it is thought that there are no mines with the development potential value in this study.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.339-352
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• 2022

As environmental criteria items are increased or strengthened, cases of heavy metal contamination by geogenic origin are increasing, and the need to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic origins in soil or groundwater exceeding the standard is increasing. In this study, geochemical occurrences of geogenic heavy metals were identified through statistical processing of the national geochemical map data and evaluation of geochemical characteristics of regions with high geoaccumulation indices. Cobalt, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were targeted for which the national geochemical maps were prepared, and Co, Cr, Ni, and V derived from ultrabasic or ultramafic rocks were classified as factor 1. Copper, Pb and Zn of non-ferrous sulfide origin were classified as factor 2. In particular, enrichment of heavy metals by factor 1 occurs mainly in the serpentine distribution areas of the Chungcheong region, and there is a risk of contamination in neighboring areas. In the case of factor 2, geogenic occurrence is concerned not only in non-ferrous metal mineralization areas such as Taebacksan and Gyeongnam mineralization zones, but also in Au-Ag mineralization areas distributed nationwide.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.331-342
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• 2013

동아프리카 열곡대는 아라비아반도와 아프리카 북동부의 경계에서 부채꼴 형태로 남쪽으로 뻗은 대단층 함몰지구대이다. 아프리카 판 내부에 발달한 열곡대의 폭은 35~60 km이며 연장은 약 4,000km로 알려져 있다. 열곡대는 에티오피아에서 남서방향으로 발달하다 에티오피아 남부에서 동, 서 및 남서 열곡대로 나누어진다. 이 열곡대는 제3기초 올리고세(30~35 Ma)부터 에티오피아 북부 아파르 침강대를 중심으로 주 에티오피아 열곡대가 형성되고, 남쪽으로 확장되면서 마이오세에 활성화된다. 서부 열곡대는 동아프리카대지의 가장자리와 빅토리아 호의 서편을 따라 발달하며, 고각의 정단층에 의해 특징되는 전형적인 반지구대이다. 동부 열곡대(주 에티오피아 열곡대와 케냐 열곡대)는 30 Ma 전 화산활동과 지구조활동이 시작되었으나, 서부 열곡대는 Albert 호 북부에서 12 Ma 전에, Tanganyika 열곡에서는 7 Ma 전부터 시작되었다. 서부 열곡대의 남서 방향으로 분기된 남서 열곡대는 DR-콩고 남부와 잠비아의 Tanganyika 호에서부터 남서 방향으로 확장되어 보츠와나 Okavango 열곡대와 연결된다. 주 에티오피아 열곡대(MER)의 화산암류와 관련 퇴적암류는 지열, 소다회, 포타쉬(K), 천열수 금, 벤토나이트, 유황 및 부석자원으로 중요한 관련암으로 역할을 한다. 열곡관련 대표적인 광상으로는 Afar 열곡대에 분포하는 Danakhil K-광상과 Megenta 및 Blackrock 천열수 금광상이다. Danakhil K-광상은 제4기 화산활동과 높은 지열류에 의해 열곡대 내 분포하던 소금 선상지(salt fan)에서 증발작용에 의해 형성된 증발형 K-광상으로서 총 자원량은 약 12.6억톤으로 평가되었다. 이 광상에서는 4종의 K-광물인 실바이트, 카날라이트, 포리하라이트, 카이나이트가 산출한다. 아파르 침강대 내 분포하는 대표적인 천열수 금광상은 텐다호 지구대에 위치하는 Megenta 및 Blackrock 광상이다. 제4기에 EMR에서 산성의 과알칼리 화산활동에 의해 열수활동이 초래되어 현재까지도 활동하여 지열대가 형성되고, 저유황형금 광상들이 형성되었다. Megenta 저유황형 금 광상은 2009년 발견되었으며, 현재 영국의 Startex International사에 의해 탐사가 진행 중이다. 지금까지의 탐사 결과 옥수질 규화 변질암 분포지에서 5개의 광체가 분포하며, 그중 Hyena 광체에서는 규화 변질된 열수각력암에서 최고 16.75 g/t의 금 품위가 보고되었다. 동아프리카 열곡대의 서편인 부룬디에 분포하는 Gakara REE 광상은 카보너타이트 유형의 REE 광상이다. 이 광상은 $400km^2$ 면적 내 수 cm부터 수 m까지의 폭을 가지는 맥상 또는 망상세맥상의 광체를 형성한다. 주로 조립의 바스트너사이트와 모나자이트로 구성된다. 바스트너사이트의 형성시기는 $587{\pm}4Ma$인 신원생대로 알려져 있으며, 이 지역에 분포하는 카보너타이트와 알칼리암들이 신원생대에서 신생대까지의 광범위한 연대를 보이는 것은 동일한 구조선을 따라서 일어나는 반복되는 열곡활동으로 해석된다. 또한 REE, U, 인회석 자원의 관련암체로 생각되는 알카리 조면암(네펠린-조면암 포함)과 카보너타이트는 동아프리카 열곡대의 남동부 끝자락인 말라위와 모잠비크에 우세하게 분포한다.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.433-444
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• 1993

Electrum (32~73 atom. % Ag)-sulfide mineralization of the Bodeok mine in the Boseong area was deposited in two stages of mineralogically simple, massive quartz veins that fill the fractures along fault shear zones in Precambrian gneiss. Radiometric dating indicates that mineralization is Late Jurassic age ($155.9{\pm}2.3$ Ma). Fluid inclusion data show that ore mineralization was formed from $H_2O-CO_2$ fluids with variable $CO_2$ contents ($X_{CO_2}=0.0$ to 0.7) and low salinities (0.0 to 7.4 wt. % eq. NaCl) at temperatures between $200^{\circ}$ and $370^{\circ}C$. Evidence of fluid unmixing ($CO_2$ effervescence) indicates pressures up to 1 kbar. Gold-silver deposition occurred later than base-metal sulfide deposition, at temperatures near $250^{\circ}C$ and was probably a result of cooling and decreasing sulfur activity caused by sulfide precipitation and/or $H_2S$ loss (through fluid unmixing). Calculated sulfur isotope compositions of ore fluids (${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}=1.7$ to 3.3‰) indicate an igneous source of sulfur in hydrothermal fluids. Measured and calculated O and H isotope compositions of ore fluids (${\delta}^{18}O_{water}=4.8$ to 7.2‰, ${\delta}D_{water}=-73$ to -76‰) indicate that mesothermal auriferous fluids at Bodeok were likely mixtures of $H_2O-rich$, isotopically evolved meteoric waters and magmatic $H_2O-CO_2$ fluids.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.463-474
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• 2011

The Haenam epithermal mineralized zone is located in the southwestern part of South Korea, and hosts low sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag deposit (Eunsan-Moisan) and clay quarries (Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan). Epithermal deposits and accompanying hydrothermal alteration related to Cretaceous volcanism caused large zoned assemblages of hydrothermal alteration minerals. Advanced argillic-altered rocks with mineral assemblages of alunite-quartz, alunite-dickite-quartz, and dickite-kaolinite-quartz exposed on the Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan area. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), with three visible and near infrared bands, six shortwave infrared bands, and five thermal infrared bands, was used to identify advanced argillic-altered rocks within the Haenam epithermal mineralized zone. The distinct spectral features of hydrothermal minerals allow discrimination of advanced argillic-altered rocks from non-altered rocks within the study area. Because alunite, dickite, and kaolinite, consisting of advanced argillic-altered rocks within the study area are characterized by Al-O-H-bearing minerals, these acid hydrothermal minerals have a strong absorption feature at $2.20{\mu}m$. The band combination and band ratio transformation cause increasing differences of DN values between advanced argillic-altered rock and non-altered rock. The alunite and dickite-kaolinite of advanced argillic-altered rocks from the Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan have average DN values of 1.523 and 1.737, respectively. These values are much higher than those (1.211 and 1.308, respectively) of non-altered area. ASTER images can remotely provide the distribution of hydrothermal minerals on the surface. In this way good relation between ASTER spectra analysis and field data suggests that ASTER spectral analysis can be useful tool in the initial steps of mineral exploration.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.379-393
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• 2002

Within the Boseong-Jangheung area of Korea, five hydrothermal gold (-silver) quartz vein deposits occur. They have the characteristic features as follows: the relatively gold-rich nature of e1ectrurns; the absence of Ag-Sb( -As) sulfosalt mineral; the massive and simple mineralogy of veins. They suggest that gold mineralization in this area is correlated with late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, mesothermal-type gold deposits in Korea. Fluid inclusion data show that fluid inclusions in stage I quartz of the mine area homogenize over a wide temperature range of 200$^{\circ}$ to 460$^{\circ}$C with salinities of 0.0 to 13.8 equiv. wt. % NaCI. The homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions in stage II calcite of the mine area ranges from 150$^{\circ}$ to 254$^{\circ}$C with salinities of 1.2 to 7.9 equiv. wt. % NaCI. This indicates a cooling of the hydrothermal fluid with time towards the waning of hydrothermal activity. Evidence of fluid boiling including CO2 effervescence indicates that pressures during entrapment of auriferous fluids in this area range up to 770 bars. Calculated sulfur isotope composition of auriferous fluids in this mine area (${\delta}^34S$_{{\Sigma}S}$$\textperthousand$) indicates an igneous source of sulfur in auriferous hydrothermal fluids. Within the Sobaegsan Massif, two representative mesothermal-type gold mine areas (Youngdong and Boseong-Jangheung areas) occur. The ${\delta}^34S values of sulfide minerals from Youngdong area range from -6.6 to 2.3$\textperthousand$ (average=-1.4$\textperthousand$, N=66), and those from BoseongJangheung area range from -0.7 to 3.6$\textperthousand$ (average=1.6$\textperthousand$, N=39). These i)34S values of both areas are comparatively lower than those of most Korean metallic ore deposits (3 to 7TEX>$\textperthousand$). And, within the Sobaegsan Massif, the ${\delta}^34S values of Youngdong area are lower than those of Boseong-Jangheung area. It is inferred that the difference of ${\delta}^34S values within the Sobaegsan Massif can be caused by either of the following mechanisms: (1) the presence of at least two distinct reservoirs (both igneous, with ${\delta}^34S values of < -6 $\textperthousand$ and 2$\pm$2 %0) for Jurassic mesothermal-type gold deposits in both areas; (2) different degrees of the mixing (assimilation) of 32S-enriched sulfur (possibly sulfur in Precambrian pelitic basement rocks) during the generation and/or subsequent ascent of magma; and/or (3) different degrees of the oxidation of an H2S-rich, magmatically derived sulfur source ${\delta}^34S = 2$\pm$2$\textperthousand$) during the ascent to mineralization sites. According to the observed differences in ore mineralogy (especially, iron-bearing ore minerals) and fluid inclusions of quartz from the mesothermal-type deposits in both areas, we conclude that pyrrhotite-rich, mesothermal-type deposits in the Youngdong area formed from higher temperatures and more reducing fluids than did pyrite(-arsenopyrite)-rich mesothermal-type deposits in the Boseong-Jangheung area. Therefore, we prefer the third mechanism than others because the ${\delta}^34S values of the Precambrian gneisses and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks occurring in both areas were not known to the present. In future, in order to elucidate the provenance of ore sulfur more systematically, we need to determine ${\delta}^34S values of the Precambrian metamorphic rocks and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks consisting the basement of the Korean Peninsula including the Sobaegsan Massif.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.185-197
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• 2023

The Gubong Au-Ag deposit consists of eight lens-shaped quartz veins. These veins have filled fractures along fault zones within Precambrian metasedimentary rock. This has been one of the largest deposits in Korea, and is geologically a mix of orogenic-type and intrusion-related types. Korea Mining Promotion Corporation drilled into a quartz vein (referred to as the No. 6 vein) with a width of 0.9 m and a grade of 27.9 g/t Au at a depth of -728 ML by drilling (No. 90-12) in the southern site of the deposit, To further investigate the potential redevelopment of the No. 6 vein, another drilling (No. 04-1) was carried out in 2004. In 2004, samples (wallrock, wallrock alteration and quartz vein) were collected from the No. 04-1 drilling core site to study the occurrence and chemical composition of Ti-bearing minerals (ilmenite, rutile). Rutile from mineralized zone at a depth of -275 ML occur minerals including K-feldspar, biotite, quartz, calcite, chlorite, pyrite in wallrock alteration zone. Ilmenite and rutile from ore vein (No. 6 vein) at a depth of -779 ML occur minerals including white mica, chlorite, apatite, zircon, quartz, calcite, pyrrhotite, pyrite in wallrock alteration zone and quartz vein. Based on mineral assemblage, rutile was formed by hydrothermal alteration (chloritization) of Ti-rich biotite in the wallrock. Chemical composition of ilmenite has maximum values of 0.09 wt.% (HfO₂), 0.39 wt.% (V₂O₃) and 0.54 wt.% (BaO). Comparing the chemical composition of rutile at a depth -275 ML and -779 ML, Rutile at a depth of -779 ML is higher contents (WO₃, FeO and BaO) than rutile at a depth of -275 ML. The substitutions of rutile at a depth of -275 ML and -779 ML are as followed : rutile at a depth of -275 ML Ba²⁺ + Al³⁺ + Hf⁴⁺ + (Nb⁵⁺, Ta⁵⁺) ↔ 3Ti⁴⁺ + Fe²⁺, 2V⁴⁺ + (W⁵⁺, Ta⁵⁺, Nb⁵⁺) ↔ 2Ti⁴⁺ + Al³⁺ + (Fe²⁺, Ba²⁺), Al³⁺ + V⁴⁺+ (Nb⁵⁺, Ta⁵⁺) ↔ 2Ti⁴⁺ + 2Fe²⁺, rutile at a depth of -779 ML 2 (Fe²⁺, Ba²⁺) + Al³⁺ + (W⁵⁺, Nb⁵⁺, Ta⁵⁺) ↔ 2Ti⁴⁺ + (V⁴⁺, Hf⁴⁺), Fe²⁺ + Al³⁺ + Hf ⁴⁺ + (W⁵⁺, Nb⁵⁺, Ta⁵⁺) ↔ 2Ti⁴⁺ + V⁴⁺ + Ba²⁺, respectively. Based on these data and chemical composition of rutiles from orogenic-type deposits, rutiles from Gubong deposit was formed in a relatively oxidizing environment than the rutile from orogenictype deposits (Unsan deposit, Kori Kollo deposit, Big Bell deposit, Meguma gold-bearing quartz vein).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

The geology of the Pacitan district which occupies Southern mountain zone in the southwestern margin of East Java, Indonesia, consists of a pile of clastics and pyroclastics grading upwards into a series of sediments of Middle Miocene age which are intruded by a number of quartz porphyries and subvolcanic dacitic to andesitic bodies in after that time. The geochemical exploration in the Pacitan district to find out anomalous areas related with metallic mineral dispersion from the concealed ore deposits had been carried out using traditional exploration techniques of geological mapping, stream sediment, panned concentrate and outcrop sampling. The anomalous zones of each element were detected in the following areas: Gempol for Cu; Jompong for Au; Kasihan for Cu-Pb-Zn. The strongest Cu-Pb-Zn anomalous values are overlapped at the Kasihan area. The geochemical survey of soil was conducted with the geological survey at the Kasihan area. The statistical values were calculated by the statistical analysis method. The patterns for Cu, Pb and Zn are similar to the normal distribution. The anomalous values of copper-lead-zinc and/or copper and zinc are overlapped at five zones surrounding quartz porphyry at the central part of the Kasihan area. The area was interpreted and chosen as an anomalous zone related with stockwork and skam mineralization, extending to approximately NNW-SSE direction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

The geology of the Seungryung Zn deposit, located in the Muzu basin, consists of Precambrian leucocratic granitic gneiss, Cretaceous clastic rocks, pyroclastic rocks, and intrusive rocks. The deposit shows a weakly skarnized hydrothermal replacement ore developed along limestone bed in the gneiss. The mineralization can be divided into three stages: the early skarnization producing garnet and pyroxene, the main mineralization in the middle stage precipitating most metallic minerals such as magnetite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, Pb-Ag-Bi-S system minerals, and the late stage for altered or low temperature minerals such as chlorite and marcasite. Pb-Ag-Bi-S system minerals include heyrovskite-eskimoite solid solution, lillianite-gustavite solid solution, and vikingite. Chalcopyrite diseases are quite common in sphalerite showing bead chains and dusting textures. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of sulfides minerals are concentrated within the narrow range of 3.4~4.1‰ for pyrite, 3.3~4.3‰ for sphalerite, 4.0~4.3‰ for chalcopyrite, and 2.8‰ for galena, suggesting that most sulfur is of igneous origin. Sulfur isotope geothermometry is calculated to be $346{\sim}431^{\circ}C$, implying that the mineralization occurred at relatively high temperature. FeS contents of sphalerite are relatively high in the range of 6.58~20.16 mole% (avg. 16.58 mole%) with the enrichment of Mn compared to Cd, similarly to representative skarn Pb-Zn deposits in South Korea. On the contrary, sphalerite from Au-Ag deposits in the Seolcheon mineralized zone around the Seungryung deposit is enriched in Cd, showing similar feature like representative epithermal Au-Ag deposits. This suggests that around the related igneous rocks, magnetite and sphalerite were produced at high temperature in the Seungryung deposit, and with decreasing temperature and compositional change of mineralizing fluids, Au-Ag mineralization proceeded in the Seolcheon mineralized zone.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2002

There are many typical epithermal deposits scattering in the Taran of central Kalimantan. Indonesia. To get the shallow geological information, we carried out the geophysical exploration: spontaneous potential survey, in-suite magnetic susceptibility measurement and relistivity survey method in this area for a few weeks from September 30th to October 27th in 1997. SP survey (Fluke 27 multimeter)/magnetic susceptibility (EK -7 meter) measurement was carried out with a 250m$\times$10m lattice net in N45$^{\circ}$W direction. The dipole-dipole array resistivity survey was conducted with an electrode spacing of ${\alpha}$=30 m and electrode separation index n=7 at the line 5. The result shows that was the gold bearing quartz vein area can be divided into two type lone: low sulfidation type and high sulfidation type zone. The low resistivity value in the survey line 5 indicated a fracture Bone associated with the high sulfidation zone.