• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.183-199
• /
• 1990

Ore deposits of Dongwon mine are composed of numerous gold and silver veins emplaced in sedimentary rocks of Cambrian Choseon Supergroup and granitoids of Cretaceous age. Ore veins of the mine can be divided into gold and silver veins on the base of vein structure, mineral assemblage and vein trends. Mutual relationships between gold and silver veins are uncertain. Gold veins are simple veins which are composed of base-metal sulfides, and electrum with quartz and ankerite. On the other hand, silver veins are complex veins which reveal three distinct stages of mineral deposition based on vein structure; stage I, deposition of small amounts of oxides and pyrite with quartz; stage II, deposition of base-metal sulfides, small amounts of Ag-bearing minerals, calcite and quartz; stage III, deposition of base metal sulfides, electrum, Ag-sulfosalts, native silver, carbonates and quartz. Homogenization temperature and salinity of fluid inclusion from quartz of gold vein are as follows; $229^{\circ}$ to $283^{\circ}C$, 4.7 to 6.4 wt.% equivalent NaCI. The ore mineralogy suggests that temperature(T) and sulfur fugacity($fs_2$) of the formation of the gold vein and stage III of silver vein are estimated as T ; $294^{\circ}$ to $318^{\circ}C$, $fs_2\;10^{-9.4}$ to $10^{-10.1}$ atm. and T; $240^{\circ}$ to $279^{\circ}C$, $fs_2;10^{-11.1}$ to $10^{-17.3}$ atm. respectively. Pressure condition during gold vein formation estimated from data of ore mineralogy and fluid inclusion range 500 to 750 bar.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.123-133
• /
• 1970

위에서 상논(詳論)한것을 요약(要約)하면, 1) 본(本) 지성(地城)을 구성(構成)하는 지질(地質)은 신나통(新羅統)의 퇴적암류(堆積岩類), 이를 관입(貫入)하는 불국사순(佛國寺純)의 화강록암(花崗綠岩) 및 암맥(岩脈)으로 되어 있다. 2) 광구일대(鑛區一帶)의 퇴적암류(堆積岩類)는 원내(原來)의 퇴적상(堆積相)과 화강섬록암(花崗閃綠岩)의 관입등(貫入等)으로 규화(珪化)되 어 규암(珪岩) 또는 규화(珪化)된 혼펠스로 변(變)하여 있다. 3) 지질구조(地質構造)는 단순(單純)한 배사(背斜)를 나타내 며 퇴적암(堆積岩) 및 화강섬록암중(花崗閃綠岩中)에 수(數) sets의 절이(節理)가 발달(發達)하여 이들에 따라 광화작용(鑛化作用)이 이루어졌다. 4) 광상(鑛床)은 퇴적암(堆積岩) 및 화강섬록암중(花崗閃綠岩中)의 열하에 연(沿)하여 배태(胚胎)하며 연(軟)망간광(鑛) 광맥(鑛脈)과 금은광맥(金銀鑛脈)의 2종(種)이 발달(發達)된다. 5) 금은광맥(金銀鑛脈)은 맥폭(脈幅)이 좁고 주향방향(走向方向)의 연장(延長)이 단속(斷續)되 며 분석결과(分析結果) 금(金)은 없고 은(銀)은 23.3g/t 내지(乃至) 913.3g/t 이여서 가행가치(稼行價直)가 없다. 6) 망강광맥(鑛脈)은 수조(數條)있으나 주목(注目)만한 것은 제(第)4갱맥(坑脈)과 제(第)5갱맥(坑脈)으로서, 전자(前者)는 연장(延長) 120m, 평균맥폭(平均脈幅) 0.5m 추정(推定)되며, 평균품위(平均品位)는 Mn 약(約) 17.5%이다. 후자(後者)도 연장(延長) 120m, 평균맥폭(平均脈幅) 0.6m 추정(推定)되며, 평균품위(平均品位)는 15.7%이다. 7) 광맥(鑛脈)은 후화강섬록암시기(後花崗閃綠岩時期)의 열하의 방위(方位)에 지배(支配)받으며, 주향(走向) 및 경사방향(傾斜方向)으로 전변(轉變)한다. 그러나 규암질모암(珪岩質母岩)의 성질(性質)로 보아 광상(鑛床)이 팽대(膨大)하여질 가능성(可能性)은 없다. 8) 망간 및 금은광맥(金銀鑛脈)은 열수광상(熱水鑛床)에 속(屬)한다.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 1990

Gold-silver deposits of Deogheun and Beopjeon mines are composed of veins emplaced in Jurassic granite batholith. Based on ore structure and ore mineralogy, four distinct stages of mineral deposition are recognized in these ore deposits. Gold and silver minerals in Deogheun and Beopjeon-A ore deposits are precipitated in stage III and stage II, respectively. Mineral constituents of ores from these deposits are pyrite, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena, tetrahedrite, electrum, quartz and rhodochrosite. Cubanite, argentite and pyrargyrite occur only in Deogheun ore deposits. Ag content of electrum range from 42 to 66 atomic % in both ore deposits. Filling temperature of fluid inclusion from both ore deposits are as follows; stage I, $211-289^{\circ}$ ; stage II, $205-290^{\circ}$ ; stage III, $190-260^{\circ}$ ; stage IV, $136-222^{\circ}$ in Deogheun ore deposits. In Beopjeon-A ore deposits, stage I, $255-305^{\circ}$ ; stage II, $135-222^{\circ}$ ; stage III, $148-256^{\circ}$ ; stage IV, $103-134^{\circ}$. Salinities of fluid inclusions range from 1.6-8.5 wt. % equivalent NaCl in both ore deposits. Sulfur fugacities through stage II and III in Deogheun ore deposits inferred from data of mineral assemblage and fluid inclusion range from $10^{-11.0}-10^{-16.1}$1bars. Fluid pressure estimated from fluid inclusions which reveal boiling evidence range from 30-190 bars during mineralization in Deogheun ore deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.105-117
• /
• 1996

The Baegjeon Au-Ag and Sb deposits, small of disseminated-type gold deposits are formed as a result of epithermal processes associated a shallow-seated Cretaceous Yeogdun granitoids intrusion. The orebodies are formed by the replacement of carbonate minerals in thin-bedded oolitic limestone beds favorable for mineralization within the upper-most Cambrian Pungchon Limestone Formation. The mineralization can be recognized one stage, ore minerals composed of base metal sulfides, electrum, AgSb-S, Ag-Cu-S, and Sb-S minerals. Gold-bearing minerals consist of electrum and submicroscopic invisible gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite. The composition of electrums ranges from 33.58 to 63.48 atomic % Ag. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that ore fluids were low saline $NaCl-CO_2-H_2O$ system. Temporary fluid mixing and boiling occured in later stage. Fluid inclusion data indicates the homogenization temperatures and salinities of NaCl eqivalent wt% were 176 to $246^{\circ}C$ and from 0.0 to 4.8 wt%, respectively. And $-logfs_2$, of mineralization obtained by thermodynamic considerations as 12.4 to 13.8 atm. The ${\delta}^{34}S_{H_2S}$, values of hydrothermal sulfides were calculated to be 6.8 to 10.2‰ which was of sedimentary origin. The ${\delta}^{18}O_{H_2O}$ and ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO_2}$, range from -3.9 to 9.6‰, from -1.1 to -2.2‰, and ${\delta}D$ range from -89 to -118‰, respectively. The Au deposition during mineralization seems to have occurred as a result of decrease of temperature, $fs_2$, $fo_2$, and pH probably due to oxidation by meteoric water mixing, which destabilized original $Au(HS)^-{_2}$. The mineralization of the Baegjeon deposits is similar to the Carlin-type deposits characterized by sediments-hosted epithermal bedding replacement disseminated gold deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.151-165
• /
• 1991

The Au-Ag deposits of the Euiseong area occurred in quartz veins which filled fissures in Cretaceous sedimentary and volcanic rocks. These ore veins can be classified in two types of deposits based on metallic mineral assemblages as follow: a pyrite type gold-silver deposit (Hoedong mine), characterized by Cu sulfides with Au-Ag alloy, and a Sb-rich silver deposit (Keumdongdo mine), characterized by base metal with Ag-bearing sulfosalts. Mineralogic and fluid inclusion evidences suggest that the ore minerals of these deposits was deposited from initial high temperatures (near $350^{\circ}C$) to later lower temperatures ($200^{\circ}C$) with moderate salinity fluids ranging from 5.8 to 3.8 eq. wt. % NaCl. The gold-silver mineralization of the Hoedong mine occurred at temperatures between 300 and $200^{\circ}C$ from fluids with log $f_{s_2}$ of -10 ~ -16 atm. The antimony - silver mineralization of the Keumdongdo mine were deposited at the higher temperatures (350 to $250^{\circ}C$) and $f_{S_2}$ (-10 ~ -13 atm) than gold mineralization of the Hoedong mine. The calculated log f02 of fluids at $250^{\circ}C$ in two deposits are -32 to -34 atm and -36.5 to -38.5 atm, respectively. Boiling evidences indicate that the ore mineralization of the Hoedong mine occurred at more shallow depth (0.5km) than that (1km) of the Keumdongdo mine. The above differences of depositional environments between two deposits caused the compositional changes of ore minerals such as electrum and sphalerite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.463-474
• /
• 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
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.89-99
• /
• 1998

The gold-silver mineralizations in Korea are closely related to Jurassic Daebo igneous activity (121 and 183 Ma) and Cretaceous Bulgugsa igneous activity (60 and 110 Ma). A compilation and re-evaluation of chemical data in arsenopyrite suggest that the As contents vary, reflecting different genetic environments or mineral assemblages. The gold-silver vein deposits from various mineralized area were investigated using arsenopyrite geothermometer. Arsenopyrites from the Jurassic Au-dominant deposits are distinct by high As contents (29.68~33.46 atomic %) with narrow variations, equivalent to a temperature range of $370{\sim}450^{\circ}C$ and a sulfur fugacity of about $10^{18}-10^{-6}$ atm. On the contrary, arsenopyrites from the Cretaceous Au-Ag and Ag-dominant deposits show a wider range in atomic % As composition of 27.47-32.74. They may have formed at temperatures of $250{\sim}350^{\circ}C$ and about $f_{S_2}=10^{-12}-10^{-10}$ atm. The data of arsenopyrite geothermometer, electrum-sphalerite geothermometer, fluid inclusions, vein morphology and emplacement depth of igneous rocks indicate that the gold mineralizations of Group IIA occurred at temperatures between 300 and $500^{\circ}C$ at depth of several tens km or more (about 4-5 kbar), and the gold-silver deposits of Groups III, IV and V were formed at a temperature range of about $170{\sim}370^{\circ}C$ under the shallow environment (<1 kbar).

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

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.289-300
• /
• 2009

The Geodo mine area, had been developed for Fe and Cu ores since 1963 and abandoned in recent decades, is located in the central part of the Taebaeksan mineralized district. This area comprises of the Jangsan, Myobong, Pungchon, Hwajeol, Dongjeom, and Dumugol Formations in ascending stratigraphic order. These Formations were intruded by the Cretaceous Eopyeong granitoids that appears to produce the Geodo skarn. Their compositions are relatively oxidized quartz monzodiorite to granodiorite (magnetite series, $Fe_2O_3/FeO=0.3{\sim}1.1$). Mineralizations related skarn deposit occur in the Myobong, Pungchon, and Hwajeol Formations. The proximal skarn is zoned from andraditic garnet ($Ad_{44-95}Gr_{1-53}$) predominant adjacent to the Eopyeong granitoids to diopsidic pyroxene ($Hd_{10-100}Di_{0-89}$) predominant away from the one. The differential proportion of garnet and pyroxene is generated by water/rock ratio and their source, such as magmatic and meteoric water. This is useful tool for assessment the overall oxidation state of the entire skarn system. Gold occurs in proximal red to brownish garnet skarn, and genetically associated with Bi- and Te-bearing minerals. Skarn deposit developed in the Geodo mine area is considered as oxidized Au skarn category, based on chemical composition of the Eopyeong granitoids, zonation of skarn, and gold occurrences. Garnet-rich skarn zone will be the main target for exploration of gold in the study area. However, it is needed to the detailed survey on vertical zonation of this area as well as lateral zonation. The result of this survey would provide an important basis for the exploration of the skarn Au deposit in the Geodo mine area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.95-107
• /
• 2011

The Hwangsan volcanic rocks, hosting the Moisan epithermal Au-Ag deposit arc widely distributed throughout the Seongsan district, and associated with large hydrothermal alteration. They were analyzed as the Moisan and around voleanic rocks, and most of them show dacitic to rhyolitic compositions. Hydrothermal alteration related to epithermal system causes the host rocks to show the geochemical variation due to high mobility of alkali elements. These features can be applied for quantitative estimates of alteration intensity. Alteration intensity of volcanic rocks from the Moisan ranges from subtle to intense, based on AI vs. $Na_2O$ diagram. The pattern that ($CaO+Na_2O$) content decrease with increasing $K_2O$ content results from sericitic alteration, in which hydrothermal fluids continually provide $K^+$ into country rocks but remove $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^{2+}$ of feldspars within country rocks. The decrease of ($CaO+Na_2O$) with decreasing $K_2O$ in some samples from the Moisan may be caused by advanced argillic alteration that all alkali elements are entirely removed from country rocks by acid hydrothermal fluids. Two alteration trends, based on Al and CCPI alteration indices suggest both sericitic alterations of feldsaprs to illite and sericite+chlorite$^{\circ}{\ae}$pyritc alteration of high Mg and Fe activities. Trace and Rare Earth Elements patterns show the similar geochemical variation related to hydrothermal alteration. Of LIL elements, strong depletion of $Sr^{2+}$, substituting for $Ca^{2+}$ in feldspars, appears to be resulted from removal of $Ca^{2+}$, during replacement of feldspars to alumino-silicates or phyllo silicates minerals by hydrothermal fluids. Relatively low total REEs contents (Moisan: 119-182 ppm; Seongsan: 111-209 ppm) and gently negative slopes suggest that significant mobility of LREEs appear to occur during hydrothermal alteration.