• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.14-23
• /
• 2021

To investigate the potential for leaching of heavy metals by bacteria from ores stacked on actual mining sites, leaching tests of a complex metallic ore (Pb-Zn-As ore) were conducted over 60 days using acidophile bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans under initial acidic conditions. Initially, a small amount of heavy metals was leached due to the initial acidic conditions. After 20 days, when A. thiooxidans in the reactor was adapted to the ore, the amount of leached heavy metals rapidly increased; the concentrations of leached arsenic, iron, and zinc reached a maximum of 2800, 3700, and 2500 mg/L, respectively. On the other hand, in the presence of A. ferrooxidans or in the control test without bacteria, heavy metals, except zinc, were barely detected in leaching. Through this study, it was confirmed that (i) bacteria could leach heavy metals at mining sites under acidic conditions and (ii) leaching of heavy metals from a high arsenic-containing ore by A. thiooxidans was more significant than that by A. ferrooxidans.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.429-434
• /
• 2012

The objective of this study was to identify Pb pollution sources of sediments in Lake Andong. We analysed Pb isotopes in sediments from Lake Andong, soils and mining tails from the watershed as well as sludges and wastewater from zinc smelting facilities which exists in upper stream of Lake Andong. The Pb isotope ratios ($^{207}Pb/^{206}Pb$ and $^{208}Pb/^{206}Pb$) for sediments are $0.827{\pm}0.004$ and $2.041{\pm}0.015$, which showed similar values with those of mining tails, $0.815{\pm}0.002$ and $2.016{\pm}0.006$, respectively. The isotopic ratio values of soils existed in the range of 0.756~0.881 and 1.872~2.187. In imported zinc ores, the isotopic ratio values existed in the range of 0.816~0.956 (mean 0.832) and 2.029~2.219 (mean 2.059). These values were similar to those in zinc and lead concentrate originated from Canada and South America. Additionally, isotopic ratio values for sludge and wastewater were $17.515{\pm}0.155$, $15.537{\pm}0.018$, and $37.357{\pm}0.173$, respectively. The Pb isotopic ratio of sediments showed binary combination patterns with soil and mining tails, which were similar to those for Korean Pb ore.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.133-143
• /
• 1992

Ulsan granite is plotted mainly in the region of syeno-granite of the Streckeisen diagram, which consists with those of iron related granites in the area of Kimhae-Mulgum, while Chindong granites and Yucheon-Eonyang granites are plotted in the regions of granodiorite-diorite and monzo-granite, respectively. These granites show a differentiation trend of calc-alkaline magma, and their magmatic evolution from intermediate to acidic rocks is consistant with the general crystallization path of the Cretaceous granitic rocks in the Gyeongsang basin. The difference index (D.I.) is 70~90 for Ulsan granite, which lies between 35~80 of Chindong granites and 85~95 of Yucheon-Eonyang granites. These granites are distinguishable from each other by variation patterns of chemical elements. For instance, there is clear difference in content of some major and trace elements between Ulsan granite and Cu-related Chindong granites: Ulsan granite has high content of K (2.68%) and Ba (636 ppm), and low content of Ca (1.07%), Mg (0.50%) and Sr (185 ppm), whereas Chindong granites has less content of K (1.62%) and Ba (382 ppm), and higher content of Ca (3.75%), Mg (1.42%) and Sr (405 ppm). However, the content of Ulsan granite overlaps partly those of Yucheon-Eonyang granites, which are apparently dividable from Chindong granites. There is an usual trend that Cu content is high in Chindong granites of Cu province and Zn content is higher in Yucheon-Eonyang granites of Pb-Zn province. But it is unusual that Cu and Zn are higher in Ulsan granite (34 ppm, 74 ppm) than in Chindong granites (15 ppm, 22 ppm) and Yucheon-Eonyang granites (14 ppm, 43 ppm). This may be due to the reason that Ulsan granite is productive and Cu-Zn minerals are associated with iron ores. Productive Chindong granites in Haman-Gunbug area and Yuchon-Eonyang granites near ore deposits have higher content of Cu and Zn than Ulsang granite. Therefore, it is expected that chemical variation patterns of granites are applicable to distinguish mineral commodity of ore deposits (iron, copper, or lead-zinc) related with the granites in the Gyeongsasng basin.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.147-176
• /
• 1979

The Yeonhwa II zinc-lead mine is characterized by a dozen of moderately dipping tabular orebodies of skarn and zinc-lead sulfides, developed in accordance with the ENE-trending bedding thrusts and bedding planes of the Pungchon Limestone and underlying Myobong Formation, mostly along the contacts of a ENE-trending sill and a NW-trending dike of quartz mononite porphyry. The orebodies occur in three groups: (1) the footwall Wolgok orebodies with respect to the sill, (2) the hangingwall Wolgok orebodies, and (3) the Seongok orebodies extended from dike contacts into carbonate beds. Mineral compositions of these orebodies are dominated by calc-silicates (skarn) associated with ore minerals of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite, as well as sulfide gangue of pyrrhotite. A pair of exo- and endo-skerns in the Wolgok footwall contact aureole between the Pungchon Limestone and quartz monzonite porphyry on the -120 level represents a well-developed symmetrical pattern of mineral zoning: a garnet/quartz zone in the center of exoskarn, two zones of pyroxene with ore minerals on both sides of the garnet/quartz zone, further outwards-an epidote/chlorite-bearing hornfelsic zone in the Myobong slate beyond a zone of unaffected limestone, and an epidote-dominated zone of endo skarn on the opposite side toward fresh quartz monzonite porphyry. These features indicate a combination of two effects on the skarn formation: (1) differences in composition of the host rocks(sedimentary and ignous), and (2) progressive outward migration of inner zones on outer zones on the course of metasomatic replacement of the pre-existing minerals. Microprobe analyses of garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoids, epidote, and chlorite for nine major elements on a total of 23 mineral grains revealed that: the pyroxenes are hedenbergitic, in most zones, with a gradual decrease of Fe- and Mn-contents toward the central zone, whereas the garnets are andraditic in outer zones, but are grossularitic in the central zone. This indicates a reverse relationship of Fe-contents between pyroxene and garnet across the exoskarn zones. Pyroxenoids are lacking in wollastonite but are dominated by pyroxmangite, rhodonite and bustamite, indicating a Mn-rich nature in bulk chemistry. Pseudomorphic fluorite after garnet occurs abundantly reflecting a fluorine-enhanced evidence of the skarn-forming fluids. Epidote contains 0.19-0.25mole fraction of pistacite, and chlorite is Mn-rich but is Mg-poor. Sulfide mineralization took place with the most Fe-rich pyroxene rather than with garnet as indicated by the fact that the highest value of hedenbergite mole fraction occurs in the ore-bearing pyroxene zone. The Yeonhwa II ores are characterized by high zinc and low lead in metal grade, with minor quantity of copper content in almost constant grade. The hangingwall Wolgok and Seongok orebodies, that formed in a more open environment with respect to their local configurations of geologic setting, are more variable in metal grades and ratios, than are the footwall Wolgok orebodies formed in a more closed condition in a narrow interval of sedimentary beds.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.129-134
• /
• 1993

At the Janggun mine, boulangerite usually occurs as needles or irregularly-shaped grains, up to $500{{\mu}m}$ in longer dimensions, closely associated with galena, minerals of a tetrahedrite-freibergite series and bournonite in the peripheries of South A and B orebodies and the zone of manganoan carbonates surrounding them. In some places, especially at the top of South B orebody, it occures as "feather ore" consisting of its fine needles or "hairs" in small drusy cavities together with fine-grained euhedral galena, pyrite, manganoan carbonates, quartz, etc. In reflected light, it is bluish grey in colour exhibiting moderate bireflectance and is strongly anisotropic without any internal reflections. Reflectance in air is $R_{max}=43.2$, $R_{min}=35.7$ percent at wavelength of 580 nm, and VHN: $146-173\;kg/mm^2$ at a 50 g-load. The chemical composition on the average from 23 complete spot analyses by electron microprobe is, Pb 56.1, Sb 25.1, S 18.5, Total 99.6 (all in weight percent); the corresponding chemical formula calculated on the basis of S=11 is; $Pb_{5.16}Sb_{3.93}S_{11.0}$ which fulfils approximately the ideal formula $Pb_5Sb_4S_{11}$. The strongest reflections on the X-ray diffraction pattern are; $3.73\;{\AA}\;(10)$, $3.22\;{\AA}\;(5)$, $3.03\;{\AA}\;(4)$ and $2.82\;{\AA}\;(5)$ and the pattern is in harmonic with space group $C^5_{2h}-P2_1/a$. From the textural evidence of the microscopic observations, the mineral is considered to have been formed at the latest stage of hydrothermal lead-zinc-silver mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.243-264
• /
• 1986

This work is a metallogeny on gold-silver deposits in South Korea based on the close examination of the author's own data and a broad review of existing literature available. The metallogenic epochs in Korea are temporarily connected with the history of tectonism and igneous activities, and are identified as the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Jurassic to early Cretaceous, late Cretaceous to early Tertiary, and Quaternary epochs, whereas the metallogenic provinces are spatially associated with some of the felsic to intermediate igneous rocks, lacking mineralization related to basic and ultrabasic rocks. The metallogeny on the gold-silver deposits is mostly related to the granitic rocks intrusives. Epigenetic gold-silver mineralization in South Korea ranges in metallogenic epochs from Precambrian through Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous to Eocene (?), in genetic types from hypothermal through mesothermal and epithermal quartz-sulfide veins to volcanogenic stockworks, with some disseminated types. Reporting on metallic association from gold without silver, gold-silver, silver-gold, silver without gold, and gold or silver as a by-product from other metallic ores. The most representative genetic types and metal associations of gold-silver deposits are hydrothermal quartz veins associated with the Daebo and Bulgugsa granitic magmatism. The most closely associated paragenetic metallic minerals in gold-silver hydrothermal quartz-sulfide vein type deposits are: copper, lead, zinc, pyrite and arsenopyrite. More than 560 gold-silver mines are plotted in the distribution map grouped within the 10 different metallogenic provinces of South Korea. Specific mineralizations with related mineral association in both sulfides and gangues observed selected from 18 Korean and 8 Japanese Au-Ag deposits. The 7 selected individual gold-silver mines representing specific mineralization types are described in this report.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.73-84
• /
• 2010

Gold and silver deposits within the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines are located in Yeongam district, Cheollanamdo-province. They are composed of vein ore bodies infilling the fractures of Cretaceous rhyolitic tuff. The Eunjeok mine have three gold and silver bearing hydrothermal veins which is infilling the fracture of rhyolitic tuff. Major ore minerals within the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines are arsenopyrite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena and minor ores are electrum, native silver and argentite. Sericitization is dominant in alteration zone and chloritization and dickitization is minor. Quartz veins in the Eunjeok and Sangeun mine have the similar paragenesis and vein textures such like breccia, crustiform, comb and vuggy morphology indicating the formation of typical epithermal environment. In order to carry out the preliminary feasibility study of mine according to the commodity and elucidate the occurrence features of mineral resources from Eunjeok and Sangeun mine, common commodity (Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, W, Au and U), and industrial commodity (In, Re, Ga, Ge, Se, Te, Y, Eu and Sm) for 17 ore specimen were analyzed. It is tentatively thought that there is no exploitable mine for iron, lead, zinc, copper, tungsten and uranium based on the preliminary result. If the reserves are secured through the detailed prospecting in case of molybdenum and silver, it is tentatively thought that there will be exploitable deposits depending on international metal price. If we assume the vein width from 0.25 m to 2 m including alteration zone with the gold grade of 80g/t, it is inferred that the resources amount of the Eunjeok-Sangeun mines range from 6.5 to 65ton. However, as the vein structure of the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines is developed together with alteration zone, it should be estimated to include potential alteration zone in order to yield the average grade. It is needed to carry out more exploration in the near future because the reserves can be flexibly estimated according to the change of average grade considering the alteration zone.