• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.337-350
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• 1995

The Hwacheon-ri mineralized area is located within the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin of the Korean peninsula. The mineralized area includes the Hwacheon, Daeweon, Kuryong and Cheongryong mines. Each of these mines occurs along copper-bearing hydrothermal quartz veins that crosscut late Cretaceous volcanic rocks, although some disseminated ores in host rocks also exist locally. Mineralization can be separated into three distinct stages (I, II, and III) which developed along preexisting fracture zones. Stage I is ore-bearing, whereas stages II and III are barren. The main phase of ore mineralization, stage I, can be classified into three substages (Ia, Ib and Ic) based on ore mineral assemblages and textures. Substage Ia is characterized by pyrite-arsenopyrite-molybdenite-pyrrhotite assemblage and is most common at the Hwacheon deposit. Substage Ib is represented by main precipitation of Cu, Zn, and Pb minerals. Substage Ic is characteristic of hematite occurrence and is shown only at the Kuryong and Cheongryong deposits. Some differences in the ore mineralization at each mine in the area suggest that the evolution of hydrothermal fluids in the area varied in space (both vertically and horizontally) with respect to igneous rocks relating the ore mineralization. Fluid inclusion data show that stage I ore mineralization mainly occurred at temperatures between ${\approx}350^{\circ}$ and ${\approx}200^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities between 9.2 and 0.5 wt.% eq. NaCl. In the waning period of substage Ia, the high temperature and salinity fluid gave way to progressively cooler, more dilute fluids of later substage Ib and Ic (down to $200^{\circ}C$, 0 wt.% NaCl). There is a systematic decrease in the calculated ${\delta}^{18}O_{H2O}$ values with paragenetic time in the Hwacheon-ri hydrothermal system from values of ${\approx}2.7$‰ for substage Ia, through ${\approx}-2.8$‰ for substage Ib, to ${\approx}-9.9$‰ for substage Ic. The ${\delta}D$ values of fluid inclusion water also decrease with decreasing temperature (except for the Daeweon deposit) from -62‰ (substage Ia) to -80‰ (substage Ic and stage III). These trends are interpreted to indicate the progressive cooler, more oxidizing unexchanged meteoric water inundation of an initial hydrothermal system which is composed of highly exchanged meteoric water. Equilibrium thermodynamic interpretation of the mineral assemblages with the variation in amounts of chalcopyrite through the paragenetic time, and the evolution of the Hwacheon-ri hydrothermal fluids indicate that the solubility of copper chloride complexes in the hydrothermal system was mainly controlled by the variation of temperature and $fo_2$ conditions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.299-316
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• 2002

The Samkwang gold-silver deposits consist of gold-silver-bearing hydrothermal massive quartz veins which filled the fractures along fault shear (NE, NW) zones within Precambrian banded or granitic gneiss of Gyeonggi massif. Ore mineralization of this deposits occurred within a single stage of quartz vein which was formed by multiple episodes of fracturing and healing. Based on vein mineralogy and paragenesis, massive quartz veins are divided into two main paragenetic stages which are separated by a major faulting event. Main ore mineralization occurred at stage I. Wall-rock alteration from this deposits occur as mainly sericitization, chloritization, silicification and minor amounts of pyritization, carbonitization, propylitization and argillitization. Ore minerals are composed mainly of arsenopyrite (29.21-32.24 As atomic %), pyrite, sphalerite (6.45-13.82 FeS mole %), chalcopyrite, galena with minor amounts of pyrrhotite, marcasite, electmm (39.98-66.82 Au atomic %) and argentite. Systematic studies of fluid inclusions in early quartz veins and microcracks indicate two contrasting physical-chemical conditions: 1). temperature (215-345$^{\circ}$C) and pressure (1296-2022 bar) event with $H_{2}O-CO_{2}-CH_{4}-NaCl$fluids (0.8-6.3 wt. %) related to the early sulfide deposition, 2). temperature (203-441$^{\circ}$C) and pressure (320 bar) event with $H2_{O}$-NaCI $\pm$ $CO_{2}$ fluids (5.7-8.8 wt. %) related to the late sulfide and electrum assemblage. The H20-NaCI $\pm$ $CO_{2}$ fluids represent fluids evolved through fluid unmixing of an $H_{2}O-CO_{2}-CH_{4}-NaCl$fluids due to decreases in fluid pressure and influenced of deepcirculated meteoric waters possibly related to uplift and unloading of the mineralizing suites. Calculated sulfur isotope compositions (${\delta}^{34}S_{fluid}$) of hydrothermal fluids (1.8-4.9$\textperthousand$) indicate that ore sulfur was derived from an igneous source. Measured and calculated oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions (${\delta}^{18}O_{I120}$, ${\delta}D$) of ore fluids (-5.9~10.9$\textperthousand$, -102~-87$\textperthousand$) indicate that mesothermal auriferous fluids at Samkwang gold-silver deposits were likely mixtures of $H_{2}O$-rich, isotopically less evolved meteoric water and magmatic fluids.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 1997

Bentonites that are used currently for the civil engineering puppose in our country were investigated to reveal their physico-chemical properties such as viscosity, swelling volume, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and chemical composition, and to compare the content of their constituting minerals and their characteristics using the X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrum methods. The content of montmorillonite in the hentonites ranges from 50 to 79%. As the content of montmorillonite in the hentonites increases, the viscosity, swelling volume, water content, methylene blue adsorption, CEC, and the amount of clay-size particles tend to increase in general. Because these properties also show good correlation within them, the results can he used to infer the characteristics of hentonites indirectly. However, a few samples do not show this correlation hetween the properties. This is probably due to the characteristics of constituting minerals of raw ore and manufacturing process. A saraple with lowest content of rnontrnofiiionite was shown to be inferior in the physico-chemical properties that are needed for the civil engineering-purpose bentonites.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.325-333
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• 1994

Gold and/or silver mineralization in the southeast province, Korea, occurred in hydrothermal quartz vein that fills fracture zones in Cretaceous volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Gyeongsang basin or granites and Precambrian gneiss. Most of the gold-silver-bearing veins in the province occur in Hapcheon, Suncheon and Haman-Gunbuk area where they are associated with Cretaceous Bulgugsa granites. On the basis of the Ag/Au ratio on amounts produced and ore grades, mode of occurrence, and associated mineral assemblages, hydrothermal Au-Ag deposits in southeast province, Korea, can be classified as follows: pyrite-type gold deposit (Group IIB, Samjeong and Sangchon deposits), antimony-type gold-silver deposit (Group IV, Gisan and Geochang deposits), and antimony-type silver deposit (Group V, Sanggo, Seweon, Seongju and Gahoe deposits). All of the gold-silver deposits in the province are generally characteristics of the gold-silver or silver-dominant type deposit which contains more silver-bearing minerals than those deposits in central Korea. The gold-silver mineralization in the deposits consist of two generation; the early characterized by gold precipitation and the late represented by silver-rich (as silver-bearing sulfosalts minerals) mineralization. All but one deposit (Samjeong deposit) having relatively lower Au content in electrum values between ${\approx}20$ and ${\approx}50$ atomic %. The mineralogical data on electrum-sphalerite and/or arsenopyrite geothermometry and fluid inclusion data indicate that the gold and silver mineralizations were occurred at temperatures of $190{\sim}280^{\circ}C$ and $150{\sim}180^{\circ}C$, respectively. These suggest that the gold-silver mineralization in the province occurred in the lower temperature and pressure conditions as epithermal-type hydrothermal vein deposit.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.107-124
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• 1985

More than fifty copper veins are emplaced around late Cretaceous granitoid stock in Haman-Gunbuk district, southernmost part of Korea. These veins cut both late Cretaceous granitoids and hornfels of Jindong formation which is intruded by the granitoids. The paragenesis of veins is nearly the same, consisting of (1) an early vein stage in which most iron oxide minerals, tourmaline and other silitcate minerals were deposited, (2) a calcite and quartz with base·metal sulfide stage and (3) late vein lets of barren calcite stage. Fluid inclusion studies reveal highly systematic trends of salinity and temperature during mineralization. Ore fluids of early vein stage were complex NaCl-KCl rich brines. Salinities of polyphase inclusions in quartz and scapolite in thie stage reached up to 72 wt.% and gradually decreased to 10.5wt. % in closing stage. Homogenization temperatures of inclusions in the beginning of this stage were up to $490^{\circ}C$ and then declined steadly to $290^{\circ}C$ in the late stage. Salinities of fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite of base·metal sulfide stage were 37.4~5.7wt. % and homogenization temperatures range from $373^{\circ}C$ to $170^{\circ}C$. Intermittent boiling of early vein fluid is indicated by fluid inclusions in quartz. Potassic alteration of granodiorite adjacent to early vein seems to be related to early saline vein fluid. Fluid inclusion data of base-metal sulfide stage of this area reveal nearly the same range as those of Koseong copper mining district about 30km apart from this area.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.549-566
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• 2022

Mining of ore minerals (sfalerite, cinnabar, and chalcopyrite) from the old mine has led in significant environmental effects as contamination of soils and plants and acidification of water. Also, nanoparticles (NP) have obtained global importance because of their widespread usage in daily life, unique properties, and rapid development in the field of nanotechnology. Regarding their usage in various fields, it is suggested that soil is the final environmental sink for NPs. Nanoparticles with excessive reactivity and deliverability may be carried out as amendments to enhance soil quality, mitigate soil contaminations, make certain secure land-software of the traditional change substances and enhance soil erosion control. Meanwhile, there's no record on the usage of Nano superior substances for mine soil reclamation. In this study, five soil specimens have been tested at 4 sites inside the region of mine (<100 m) to study zeolites, and iron sulfide nanoparticles. Also, through using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), this study has tried to appropriately estimate the mechanical properties of soil under the effect of these Nano particles. Considering the RMSE and R2 values, Zeolite Nano materials could enhance the mine soil fine through increasing the clay-silt fractions, increasing the water holding capacity, removing toxins and improving nutrient levels. Also, adding iron sulfide minerals to the soils would possibly exacerbate the soil acidity problems at a mining site.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.521-529
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• 2022

Gravity exploration was conducted to determine the distribution of igneous complex related to lithium pegmatite in the Boam deposit of Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the spatial relationship with the regional geology and ore bodies were studied. The gravity exploration result shows that the Boam deposit area is characterized by relatively low gravity anomaly that surrounds the deposit. The Boam deposit is located near the southwest-northeast directional boundary of gravity anomalies where igneous complex (granite gneiss) contacts with the Yuli and Wonnam groups in the southeast, Janggun limestone layers in the east-west direction, and Dongsugok metasedimentary rocks. While the western boundary in the southwest-northeast direction is relatively clear, there may also be unknown igneous complex that are not exposed on the surface at the eastern and southern boundaries because a relatively low gravity anomaly surrounds the deposit. The distribution characteristics of these hidden igneous complex will be used as useful data for predicting the distribution of the lithium pegmatite in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.177-212
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• 1976

The Shap granite encloses well developed quartz veins and veinlets containing molybdenite in association with other ore sulphide minerals. The preliminary study of the geochemical aspects of the granite stock and mineralisation of molybdenite in comparison with the porphyry deposits is carried out; the distribution of major, minor and ore metal elements in wall rocks, altered envelope and veins, and the molybdenum mineralisation, mainly in connexion with hydrothermal alteration are discussed. The molybdenite and other ore mineralisation, especially bismuthinite and chalcopyrite, are spatially closely related to the hydrothermal alteration adjacent to the veinings, and are dominant where the strong orthoclase alteration has taken place. A pattern of alteration and mineralisation can be recognised and forms the basic for the subdivision of the quarry into several distinct zones, which correspond with the sequence of alteration and mineralisation. The veins, veinlets and their alteration haloes can be further subdivided into a series of concentric zones.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-83
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• 2008

The sericite ore deposits formed in the Precambrian granitic rock at the Bonghwa area, Kyungsangbuk-do, South Korea. The geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of sericite occurred in Daehyun and Seonghwang mine were analyzed using petrographic microscope, XRD, EPMA, XRF and ICP. An alteration mechanism was also studied. Sericitization occurred within the granitic rock by hydrothermal alteration. From the careful study on the occurrence and mineral assemblage, four alteration zone were clearly identified. These zones reflect progressive hydrothermal alteration process. All sericites belong to $2M_1$ polytype and their mineralogical and geochemical properties are close to illite. The sericite ores show various colors, but the characteristics of major element compositions and crystal structures are not different. The trace element analysis, however, indicates that the difference in color attribute to the abundance of Cr and Ti: bluish green colored sericite are enriched in Cr and blackish green colored sericite enriched in Ti. The formation of sericite ore deposit in the granitic rocks are closely relate to fracture system such as fault and joint. It is considered that the sericite ore deposits in this area were formed by very simple hydrothermal alteration occurred along the fracture zones in granitic rocks with absence of other hydrothermally altered minerals such as kaolin and pyrophyllite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.389-398
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• 1998

The Au-Ag deposit of the Oknam mine occurs as gold-silver-bearing rhodochrosite veins in biotite schist and phyllite of the Precambriam Yulri Group. Five stages of ore deposition are recognized, each showing a definite mineral assemblage. General mineral parageneses in veins (stage III) associated with gold and silver vary inwardly from the vein margin: arsenopyrite + pyrite $\Rightarrow$ sphalerite+chalcopyrite+galena+gold $\Rightarrow$ ga1ena+Ag-bearing minerals. Fluid inclusion data indicate that temperature and salinity of ore fluids overally decreased with time: $345^{\circ}{\sim}240^{\circ}C$ and 3.4~7.8 wt. % NaCl equiv during stage I (quartz vein mineralization), $313^{\circ}{\sim}207^{\circ}C$ and 2.3~8.7 wt.% NaCl equiv during manganese-bearing carbonate stages (II and III), and $328^{\circ}{\sim}213^{\circ}C$ and 3.6-5.4 wt.% NaCl equiv during stage IV (quartz vein mineralization). The ore fluids probably evolved through repeated pulses of boiling and later mixing with cooler and more dilute meteoric waters. Fluid inclusion data and geologic arguments indicate that pressures during the mineralization were in the range of 90 to 340 bars. Gold occurs as silver-rich electrums (21 to 29 atom. % Au) and was deposited at temperatures between $300^{\circ}$ and $240^{\circ}C$. Thermochemical calculations suggest that gold was deposited as a combined result of increase in pH and decreases in temperature, $fs_2$ and $fo_2$.