• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.119-136
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• 2002

Contrasts in the style of the gold-silver mineralization in geologic and tectonic settings in Korea, together with radiometric age data, reflect the genetically different nature of hydrothermal activities, coinciding with the emplacement age and depth of Mesozoic magmatic activities. It represents a clear distinction between the plutonic settings of the Jurassic Daebo orogeny and the subvolcanic environments of the Cretaceous Bulgugsa igneous activities. Dunng the Daebo igneous activities (c.a. 200～150 (\ulcorner) Ma) coincident with orogenic time, gold mineralization took place between c.a. 195 and 135 (127 \ulcorner) Ma. The Jurassic Au deposits commonly show several characteristics; prominent association with pegmatites, low Ag/Au ratios In the ore-concentrating parts, massive vein morphology and a distinctively simple mineralogy including Fe-rich sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, Au-rich electrum, pyrrhotite and/or pyrite. During the Bulgugsa igneous activities (110～50 Ma), the precious-metal deposits are generally characterized by such features as complex vein morphology, medium to high Ag/Au ratios in the ore concentrates, and diversity of ore minerals including base-metal sulfides, pyrite, arsenopyrite, Ag-rich eletrum and native silver with Ag sulfides, Ag-Sb-As sulfosalts and he tellurides. Vein morphology, mineralogical, fluid inclusion and stable isotope results indicate the diverse genetic natures of hydrothermal systems in Korea. The Jurassic Au-dominant deposits (orogenic type) were formed at the relatively high temperature (about 300$^{\circ}$ to 45$0^{\circ}C$) and deep-crustal level (4.0$\pm$1.5 kb) from the hydrothermal fluids containing more amounts of magmatic waters ($\delta$$^{18}$ $O_{H2O}$; 5～10$\textperthousand$). It can be explained by the dominant ore-depositing mechanisms as $CO_2$ boiling and sulfidation, suggestive of hypo- to mesothermal environments. In contrast, the Cretaceous Au-dominant (l13～68 Ma), Au-Ag (108～47 Ma) and AE-dominant (103～45 Ma) deposits, which correspond to volcanic-plutonic-related type, occurred at relatively low temperature (about 200$^{\circ}$ to 35$0^{\circ}C$) and shallow-crustal level (1.0$\pm$0.5 kb) from the ore-forming fluids containing more amounts of less-evolved meteonc waters ($\delta$$^{18}$ $O_{H2O}$;-10～5$\textperthousand$). These characteristics of the Cretaceous precious-metal deposits can be attributed to the complekities in the ore-precipitating mechanisms (mixing, boiling, cooling), suggestive of epi- to mesothermal environments. Therefore, the differences of the emplacement depth between the Daebo and the Bulgugsa igneous activities directly influence the unique temporal and spatial association of the deposit styles.les.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1989

Electrum-galena-sphalerite mineralization of the Yangpyeong-Weonju Au-Ag area was deposited in three stages of quartz and calcite veins which fill fault breccia zones. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope data show that ore mineralization was deposited at temperatures between $260^{\circ}C$ and $180^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities between 8.9 and 2.9 equivalent weight percent NaCl. Evidence of boiling indicates pressures of <50 bars, corresponding to depths of 220 to 550 m, respectively, assuming lithostatic and hydrostatic loads. Au-Ag deposition was likely a result of bolling coupled with cooling. Within stages I and II there is an apparent increase in ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of $H_2S$ with paragenetic time ; early -1.4~2.7‰ to later 6.6-9.2‰. The progressively heavier $H_2S$ values can be generated through isotopic re-equilibration in the ore fluid following removal of $H_2S$ by boiling or precipitation of sulfides. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values of ore-forming fluids suggest meteoric water dominance, approaching unexchanged meteoric water values. Comparison of these values with those of other Korean Au-Ag deposits reveals a relationship between depth and degree of water-rock interaction. All investigated Korean Jurassic and Cretaceous gold-silver-bearing deposits have fluids which are dominantly evolved, meteoric water, but on1y deeper systems (${\geq}1.25km$) are exclusively gold-rich.

• 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.32 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 1999

The Mujeong au-Ag hydrothermal vein type deposits occur within the Teriary igneous rocks of the Janggi basin. Ore minerals consist of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalertite, chalcopyrite, galena, cosalite, lillianite, argentite and electrum, and associated with epidotization, sericitization and pyritization. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that ore fluids were low saline with a simple NaCl-$H_{2}O$ system. Fluid inclusion data indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid are 150 to $340^{\circ}C$ and 1.0 to 6.5wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfied minerals ( ${\delta}^{34}S$=6.2 to 9.6$\textperthousand$) indicate that the ${\delta}^{34}S_{H2S}$ value of ore fluids was about 10.4$\textperthousand$. This ${\delta}^{34}S_{H2S}$ value is likely consistent with and hydrothermal sulfur, whereas the fluids were highly influenced by mixing with meteoric water. Measured and calculated oxygen and hydrogen isotope values (${\delta}^{18}O_{H2O}$=-2.7 to 3.4 $\textperthousand$, ${\delta}D_{H2O}$ = -83.6 to -52.7 $\textperthousand$) of ore forming fluids suggest mixing with hydrothermal and meteoric water. Equilibrium thermodynamic interpretation by mineral assemblages and chemistry indicates that sulfur fugacities (-log $fs_2$) ore forming fluids range from 9.0 to 12.6 atm stage II.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.445-454
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• 1995

The petrochemical data of the porphyritic granites of Cretaceous age in the Yonghwa-Seolcheon area show the trend of subalkaline magma, calc-alkaline magma, I-type granitoid and magnetite series. This granite is the relevant igneous rock of gold-silver mineralization in this mining district Fluid inclusions have been studied in phenocryst quartz from the Cretaceous porphyritic granite. Three main types of fluid inclusion were found : liquid-rich inclusion(I type), gas-rich inclusion(II type) and solid-bearing inclusions(III-A, III-B). The solid-bearing inclusions(III-A,B) represent the earliest trapped fluids. They have salinities between 41.0 and 67.5 wt% equivalent to NaCl. These are high saline inclusions containing NaCl and KCl daughter crystals. Homogenization temperature inferred from the fluid inclusion study ranges from 650 to $75^{\circ}C$ Type I and II inclusions were observed within the same fracture. This cause for these differences in degree of filling is evidence of boiling. Salinities of type I and II inclusions range from 9.87 wt% to 15.29 wt%, from 8.40 wt% to 14.64 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2014

The Yeongam mineralized zone is located in the southwestern part of the Korean peninsula, including the Sangeun, Eunjeok and Baramjai mines. This zone is located in the northeastern part of the Mokpo-Haenam-Yeongam volcanic circular structure. The 13 sites of quartz vein with mineralization are developed in the Sangeun-Eunjeok-Baramjai area, within rhyolitic welded tuff, showing N-S or NNW trend with highly dipping to the west. The quartz veins occur as a single vein or a bundle of veins with width of 1-5 cm in each. The existence of faults parallel to the quartz veins indicates that the faulting occurred before and after the development of quartz veins and mineralization. The quartz veins and mineralized zone are displaced by NW-trending sinistral strike-slip faults. The extension of the Sangeun-Eunjeok mineralized belt is traced to the south, following a NNW-trending tectonic line, and the Au-Ag contents are analysed in the 12 sites of quartz veins. Contents of gold and silver are 12.3 g/t and 1,380.0 g/t in Eunjeok mine, 2.7 g/t, 23.5g in Sangeun mine, and <0.1 g/t, 5.7 g/t in Baramjai mine respectively. Therefore, a highly Ag-Au mineralized zone is not developed in the southern part of the studied area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2022

The Gasado Au-Ag deposit is located within the south-western margin of the Hanam-Jindo basin. The geology of the Gasado is composed of the late Cretaceous volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks and acidic or intermediate igneous rocks. Within the deposit area, there are a number of hydrothermal quartz and calcite veins, formed by narrow open space filling along subparallel fractures in the late Cretaceous volcaniclastic sedimentary rock. Vein mineralization at the Gasado is characterized by several textural varieties such as chalcedony, drusy, comb, bladed, crustiform and colloform. The textures have been used as exploring indicators of the epithermal deposit. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz veins; stage II, barren carbonate veins) considering major tectonic fracturing event. Stage I, at which the precipitation of Au-Ag bearing minerals occurred, is further divided into three substages (early, middle and late) with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: early, marked by deposition of pyrite and pyrrhotite with minor chalcopyrite, sphalerite and electrum; middle, characterized by introduction of electrum and base-metal sulfides with minor argentite; late, marked by argentite and native silver. Au-Ag-bearing mineralization at the Gasado deposit occurred under the condition between initial high temperatures (≥290℃) and later lower temperatures (≤130℃). Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur (≈10^-10.1 to ≤10^-18.5atm) by evolution of the Gasado hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time. The Gasado deposit may represents an epithermal gold-silver deposit which was formed near paleo-surface.

• 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.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.55-73
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• 1970

The district investigated covers the central and southern portions of the Uiryong Quadrangle amounting to $40km^2$ in area and is bounded approximately by geographical coordinates of $128^{\circ}$ 28' $40^{{\prime}{\prime}}{\sim}128^{\circ}$ 24' 25"E in longitude and $35^{\circ}10{\prime}{\sim}35^{\circ}14^{\prime}06^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$ in latitude. The purpose of this investigation was to provide basic information in drawing up a comprehensive development plan of the copper ore deposits known to exist in the HamanKumbuk district with special emphasis given to the ascertainment of geological and paragenetic characteristics. The area consists chiefly of shale, sandy shale and chert, all belong to Kyongsang System of Cretaceous age. Intruded into these rocks are andesite, granodiorite, basic dikes, and acidic dikes. The mineralization which took place in the area, consists of mostly fissure-filling vein deposits, numbering several tens, with varying magnitudes. The fissures and shear zones created in rocks, such as chert and granodiorite, hosted the deposition of mineralizing vapors and/or hydrothermal solutions along their openings. The strike lengths of these veins vary from 50 to 600 meters in extension and 0.1 to 3 meters in width. Although the degree of fluctuation in width is great, it averages 0.3m. The stuctural patterns, which apparently affected the deposition of veins, are fissure patterns, trend NS to $N30^{\circ}W$, and steep-pitching tension fractures as well as normal fault pattern. Ore minerals associated with vein matters are primarily chalcopyrite and small amounts of scheelite, cobaltiferous arsenopyrite, and gold and silver intimately associated with sulphide minerals. Associated with these ore mineral are pyrite, pyrrhotite, magnetite, specularite and arsenopyrite. Gangue minerals noted are quartz, calcite, chlorite, tourmaline and hornblende. In terms of the compositions of associated minerals, the vein deposits in the district could be grouped under the following four categories: 1. Pyrrhoitite, Arsenopyrite, Gold and Silver Bearing Copper Vein (Type I) 2. Calcite-Scheelite-Copper Vein (Type II) 3. Magnetite-Pyrite-Copper Vein (Type III) 4. Tourmaline Copper Vein (Type IV) Of the four types, the first and the fourth are presently yielding relatively higher grades: of copper ores and concentrates. The estimated ore reserves total some 222,000 metric tons with the following breakdown in terms of metal contents: Name of Mines Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) Reserves(M/T) Kunbuk 15.92 78.69 6,074 60.498 Cheil Kunbuk - - 1.040 60,847 Haman - - 2.688 101,204 222,549 As rehabilitation of old workings and/or exploration of veins at depth proceed, additional estimation of ore reserves may become apparent and necessary. With regard to the problem of beneficiation and upgrading of low-grade ores in the district, it would be advisable to make decisions on location, treating capacity and mill flowsheet after sufficient amount of exploration is completed as suggested in the report.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2013

The Ogcheon Au-Ag deposit consists of two quartz veins that fill the NE or NW-trending fissures in the metasedimentary rocks of unknown age. The quartz veins occur mainly in the massive type with partially breccia and cavity. They can be found along the strike for about minimum 50 m and varied in thickness from 0.1 to 0.3 m. The mineralogy of quartz veins from the Ogcheon deposit is mainly composed of hydrothermal alteration minerals such as pyrite, quartz, sericite, chlorite, clay minerals and sulfides including pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena. Fluid inclusion data from quartz indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinity of mineralization range from 184 to $362^{\circ}C$ and from 0.0 to 6.6 wt.% eq. NaCl, respectively. These suggest that ore forming fluids were progressively cooled and diluted from mixing with meteoric water. Sulfur(${\delta}^{34}S$: 0.4~8.4‰) isotope composition indicates that ore sulfur was derived from mainly magmatic source although there is a partial derivation from the host rocks. The calculated oxygen(${\delta}^{18}O$: 4.9~12.1‰) and hydrogen(${\delta}D$: -92~-74‰) isotope compositions suggest that magmatic and meteoric ore fluids were equally important for the formation of the Ogcheon deposit and then overlapped to some degree with another type of meteoric water during mineralization.