• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.273-285
• /
• 2015

The extensive hydrothermal deposits have been found, for the first time, on the western TA25 seamount caldera in the Tonga arc. The seafloor hydrothermal vents are active and immature, emitting the transparent fluids of which temperatures range from $150^{\circ}C$ to $242^{\circ}C$ (average=$203^{\circ}C$). The recovered hydrothermal sulfides are mainly composed of sphalerite, pyrite, marcasite, galena, chalcopyrite, covellite, tennantite, enargite and sulfates such as barite, gypsum/anhydrite. Predominant sphalerite categorize it into Zn-rich hydrothermal ore body. Zn-rich sulfide ores have minor enargite, indicating that mineralization occurred in high sulfidation environment. The proportion and FeS content of sphalerite increase from outside to inside of the hydrothermal ores, respectively. In particular, sphalerite has a great silver content (up to ~10 wt.%). Chalcopyrite is more frequently observed in mound than in the chimney, implying mineralization temperature in the mound is higher than in the chimney. Homogenization temperatures and salinities from fluid inclusions in barite at the mound range from $148^{\circ}C$ to $341^{\circ}C$ (average=$213^{\circ}C$) and 0.4 to 3.6 equiv. wt.% NaCl, respectively. Homogenization temperatures suggest that sulfides in the mound mineralized at a higher temperature (${\geq}200^{\circ}C$) than in the chimney.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 1985

To understand the characteristics of uranium distribution, and the correlation of the uranium content and major constituents in uraniferous black slates from the Jinsan area of Ogcheon Fold Terrain, forty representative specimens were analyzed by mineralogical and radiometric techniques. According to statistical analysis, the uranium has a positive correlation with organic carbon and limonite, but a negative relation to muscovite and other opaques. The relationship with the highest and meaningful correlation is between log uranium and organic carbon. The log uranium-organic carbon correlation coefficient is 0.845 and these two constituents have about 71.4% association. It suggests that the abundance of organic carbon controlled the uranium precipitation. The relationship of organic carbon to log uranium can be expressed by following regression equation log ($U_3O_8{\times}10^4+1$)=-1.3447+2.5599 log (organic carbon). The multiple regression equation of different major components to log uranium is log ($U_3O_8{\times}10^4+1$)=0.77396+ 0.04465 (organic carbon)+0.00574 (quartz)-0.00964 (muscovite)+0.37827 (biotite)-0.02286 (clay substance)+0.01268 (other silicates)+0.1032 (barite)-0.00224 (apatite)+0.01606 (calcite)+0.08258 (hematite)-0.02406 (limonite)-0.01715 (other opaques).

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.107-116
• /
• 2017

When drilling operation is being performed, many physical and chemical changes are occurred near wellbore. To handle various changes of well condition and keep drilling process safe, additives of bulk, such as bentonite for increasing density of drilling mud, barite for increasing viscosity of drilling mud, polymer for chemical control, or surfactant, are added into drilling mud through a mud shear mixer. Because the achievement of the required material property through mud mixing system is essential to stabilize drilling system, it is of importance to analyze multi-phase flow during mud mixing process, which is directly related to increase mixing performance of the system and guarantee the safety of the whole drilling system. In this study, a series of liquid-solid flow simulation based on a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are performed with comparing to solid concentration in experiment by Gilles et al. [2004] to understand the characteristics of liquid-solid mixing in a mud shear mixer. And then, the simulation-based design of shear mixer are carried out to improve mixing performance in a mud handling system.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.484-494
• /
• 2004

The Soowang Au-Ag deposits occur as quartz veins which filled fissures in middle Cretaceous porphyritic granite an/or gneiss of the Precambrian Sobaegsan gneiss complex. The paragenetic studies suggest that vein filling can be divided into four identifiable stages (I to IV). Stage I is the main sulfide stage, characterized by the deposition of base-metal sulfide and minor electrum. Stage II is the electrum stage, whereas stage III represents a period of the deposition of silver-bearing sulfosalts and minor electrum. Stage IV is the post ore stage. Mineralogical and fluid inclusion evidences suggest that mineralization of the Soowang deposits were deposited by the cooling of the fluids from initial high temperatures 300$^{\circ}C$ to later low temperatures 150$^{\circ}C$. The salinity of the fluids were moderate, ranging from 10.4wt.% equivalent NaCl in sphalerite to 3.1wt.% equivalent NaCl in barite. The gold-silver mineralization of the Soowang mine occurred at temperatures between 140 and 250$^{\circ}C$ from fluids with log $fs_2$ from -12 to -18 atm. A consideration of the pressure regime during ore deposition, based on the fluid inclusion evidence of boiling, suggests lithostatic pressure of less than 210 bars. This pressure condition indicates that vein system of the Soowang deposit formed at depth around 800 m below the surface at the time of gold-silver mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.25-56
• /
• 1975

Most fluorite deposits of South Korea are distributed in three metallogenic zones namly as: Hwacheon, Hwangangni and Geumsan metallogenic zones. Fluorite deposits of each zone show The characteristic features owing to the geological setting, the structural patterns and their forming processes. deposits of the Hwacheon metallogenic zone are wholly fissure filling hydrothermal veins emThe bedded in shear fractures of the granite gneiss or schists of Precambrian age or in the cooling fractures of the granite and acidic hypabyssal rocks which are assumed to be a differentiated sister rock of the granite. Localization of most fluorite veins of the region is structurally controlled by NW and EW fracture systems and genetically related to the granite intrusion which ascertained as motivating rock of the fluorite mineralization. Fluorites are in most cases accompanied by quartz, chalcedony mainly and rarely agate, calcite, barite and sulphide base metals in some localities. The deposits of the Hwangangni metallogenic zone were formed at the last stage of hydrothermal polymineralization of W, Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn. The majority of the fluorite ore bodies were originated from replacement in limestone beds of Great Limestone Series or in calcareous interbeds of metasediments, whereas some cavity-filling ore bodies were embedded in phyllites and schists of the Ockcheon system and along the fissures in the replaced beds which were originated by volume decrease. The localization of fluorite deposits in this region is genetically related to the Moongyong granite which has been dated as middle Cretaceous, and controlled structurally by the $N20^{\circ}{\sim}50^{\circ}W$ extension fracture system or axial planes of folds, and by faults of NE direction that acted as paths of ore solution. The deposits of the Geumsan metallogenic zone are seemed to be formed through the similar process as that of Hwangangni metallogenic zone, but characteristic distinctions are in that they are more prevailing fracture filling veins and large number of the deposits are localized in roof-pendants or xenolithes of limestone in granites and porphyries. Igneous rocks that presumably motivated the mineraltzation are middle Cretaceous Geumsan granite and porphyries. Metallogenic epoch of the fluorite mineralization of South Korea are puesumably limited in early-middle Cretaceous. Studies of the fluid inclusions in fluorites of the region reveal that the homogenization temperature of the fluorite deposits are as follows: Hwacheon metallogenic zone : $95^{\circ}C{\sim}165^{\circ}C$; Hwangangni metallogenic zone : $97^{\circ}C{\sim}235^{\circ}C$; Geumsan metallogenic zone : $93^{\circ}C{\sim}236^{\circ}C$. Judging from the above results, the deposits of the Hwancheon region were formed at the epithermal stage, and those in the Hwangangni and Geumsan regions, were deposited at epithermal stage preceded by mesothermal mineralization of small scale in which some sulphide minerals were deposited. The analytical data of minor elements in the fluorites reveal that ore solutions of Hwangangni metallogenic zone seemed to be emanated in more acidic stage of magma differentiation than Hwacheon metallogenic zone did.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.27-43
• /
• 1976

The flourite in Hwacheon, Hwanggangri and Keumsan district are major fluorite producing areas in Korea. The fluorite deposits of Hwacheon district are wholly fissure filling hydrothermal veins embedded in Precambrian gneiss and schists and Jurassic granites. Also some fluorite deposits are emplaced in felsite whose age is unknown. Emplacement of most fluorite veins of the district are controlled by EW fracture system. Fluorites are generally accompanied to chalcedonic quartz and also kaolinite, montmorillonite, dickite and calcite in parts. Vertical and lateral mineral zonings are not distinct. The fluorite deposits in the Hwanggangri district are wholly embedded in limestone and other calcareous sediments of Paleozoic Yeongweol Group. Most of the fluorite deposits belong to one of two categories which are steeply. dipping veins and gently dipping replacement deposits adjacent to Late Cretaceous(83-90mys) granite bodies. The strikes of fluorite veins of Hwanggangri district mostly occupy the fractures of $N30^{\circ}-40^{\circ}E$ and $N30^{\circ}-40^{\circ}W$ system. Fluorites are accompanied to calcite, milky quartz, chalcedonic quartz, and also montmorillonite, kaolinite in parts. But in some deposits, scheelite, various sulfide minerals and barite are accompanied. Emplacement of fluorite deposits are largely controlled by lithology and structures of this district. In some deposits fluorite veins gradate to scheelite veins and also telescoping of the mineral zones are found in this district. In the Keumsan district, fissure-filled fluorite veins and replacement deposits are mostly emplaced in limestone of Paleozoic Yeongweol Group, late Cretaceous quartz-porphyry, granite and sandstone. Some deposits are emplaced in Precambrian metasediments. Mineralogy and other characteristics of the deposits in this district is similar to those of Hwanggangri district. Fluid inclusion studies reveal the difference of salinities, $CO_2$ contents of ore fluid and temperatures during fluorite mineral deposition in the these districts. In Hwacheon district, ore-fluids were comparatively dilute brine and low $CO_2$ content. Filling temperatures ranges $104^{\circ}C$ to $170^{\circ}C$. In the Chuncheonshinpo mine, most deeply exploited one in this district, salinitles range 0.5-2. 2wt. % NaCl and filling temperatures range from $116^{\circ}C$ to $143^{\circ}C$. In the Hwanggangri district, ore fluids were complex and filling temperature ranges very widly. In the contact metasomatic fluorite deposits, ore fluid were NaCl rich brines with moderate $CO_2$ content and filling temperatures range from $285^{\circ}C$ to above $360^{\circ}C$. Fluids inclusions in tungsten and sulfide minerals bearing fluorite veins show high $CO_2$ content up to 31wt. %. Filling temperature ranges from $101^{\circ}C$ to $310^{\circ}C$. Fluids inclusions In mainly fluorite bearing veins were more dilute brine and low $CO_2$ contents. Filling temperatures range from $95^{\circ}C$ to $312^{\circ}C$. Filling temperature of fluid inclusions of Keumsan district are between $95^{\circ}C$ and $237^{\circ}C$. Data gathered from geologic, mineralogic and fluid inclusion studies reveal that fluorite mineralization in H wacheon district proceeded at low temperature with dilute brine and low $CO_2$ content. In Hwangganri district, fluorite mineralization proceeded by several pulse of chemically distinct ore fluids and formed the mineralogically different type of deposits around cooling granite pluton which emplaced comparatively shallow depth.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.35-49
• /
• 1997

The coal formation of the Deokpyeong area are interbedded along metapelites of the Ogcheon Supergroup, which are composed mainly of graphite, quartz, muscovite and associated with small amounts of biotite, chlorite, pyrite and barite. The ratios of $SiO_2/Al_2O_3$, $Al_2O_3/Na_2O$ and $K_2O/Na_2O$ of the coaly metapelite are variable and wide range from 1.80 to 10.21, from 27.8 to 388.8 and from 7.6 to 61.8, respectively. These coal formation were deposited in basin of marine environments, and the REE of these rocks are not influenced with metamorphism and hydrothermal alterations on the basis of $Al_2O_3$ versus La, La against Ce, the ratios of La/Ce (0.19 to 0.99) and Th/U (0.02 to 4.75). These rocks also show much variation in $La_N/Yb_N$ (1.19 to 22.89), Th/Yb (0.14 to 21.43) and La/Th (0.44 to 13.67), and their origin is explained by derivation from a mixture of sedimentary and igneous rocks. The wide range in trace and REE element characteristics as Co/Th (0.12 to 2.78), La/Sc (0.33 to 10.18), Sc/Th (0.57 to 5.73), V/Ni (8 to 2347), Cr/V (0.02 to 0.67) and Ni/Co (1.56 to 32.95) of these coaly metapelites argues for inefficient mixing of the various source lithologies during sedimentation. Deep to pale green barium-vanadium muscovites (vanadium-oellacherite) have been found in this coal formations. Modes of occurrence and grain size of muscovite are heterogeneous, but most of the barium and vanadium-bearing muscovites occur along the boundaries between graphite and quartz grains, ranging from 200 to $350{\mu}m$ in length and from 40 to $60{\mu}m$ in width. Results of X-ray diffraction data of the minerals characterized to be monoclinic system with $a=5.249{\AA}$, $b=8.939{\AA}$, $c=20.924{\AA}$ and ${\beta}=95.894^{\circ}$. Representative chemical formula of the muscovite was $(Na_{0.09}K_{1.44}Ba_{0.46})(Al_{2.75}Ti_{0.07}V_{0.56}Fe_{0.08}Mg_{0.50})(Si_{6.12}Al_{1.88})O_{22}$. The V possibly substitute octahedral Al, and the Ba is coupled substitution of $K^+Si^{4+}=Ba^{2+}Na^+Ca^{2+}$, which compositional ranges of V and Ba are from 0.42 to 0.69 and from 0.34 to 0.56 based on $O_{22}$, respectively. Formation mechanism of the barium-vanadium muscovites in the coaly metapelite is shown that the formed by high pressure and temperature from regional metamorphism origanated during diagenesis at the interface between a basinal brine and organic matter.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.233-247
• /
• 2012

We have researched the distribution and characteristics of seafloor hydrothermal deposits for the development of economic mineral deposits in the Lau Basin, Tonga since 2009. In this study, we interpreted hydrothermal alteration around TA 26 seamounts of the Tofua volcanic arc using X-ray diffraction analysis for bulk sample and preferred-oriented specimen of clay fraction. We used 2 core samples and several surface samples. Plagioclase and quartz are dominant mineral in the basement rock, whereas kaolin mineral and smectite are superior in marine surface sediments. Especially sulfate and sulfide minerals such as gypsum, barite, sphalerite, and pyrite are predominant in the vent sediments. When we compare the mineral composition between basement rock and sea surface sediments, argillic alteration zone composed of kaolin mineral and smectite could be produced by hydrothermal fluids. Based on the downcore variation of mineral assemblages, most portion of MC08H-06 core could be interpreted as argillic alteration zone composed of kaolin mineral and smectite except top 2 cm area. Various sulfate or sulfide minerals and argillic alteration zone suggest a high probability of massive sulfide deposits in the seafloor of the TA 26 seamount.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.81-89
• /
• 1989

Alunite occurs as massive, cavity-filling and veinlets in the Cretaceous Hwangsan Formation in the Sungsan mine, Korea. It is a hydrothermal alteration product of rhyolitic tuffs, and associated with dickite, quartz and barite. The average chemical formula of alunite in the mine is $(K_{0.93}Na_{0.07})_{1.00}Al_{3.00}(SO_4)_{2.00}(OH)_6$. Atomic percentage of Na substituting for K in A site of the alunite structure varies from 5.9 to 9.2. Unit-cell volume and c dimension decrease with increasing Na atomic percentage. On the basis of thermal and high temperature XRD analyses, the decomposition of alunite into $KAl(SO_4)_2$ and $NaAl(SO_4)_2$ concomitant with the liberation of structural water (12.86%) occurs at about $550^{\circ}C$. The reconstruction of $KAl(SO_4)_2$ and $NaAl(SO_4)_2$ to $Al_2(SO_4)_3$, arcanite and thenardite, and the crystallization of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ take place at about $720^{\circ}C$. The destruction of $Al_2(SO_4)_3$ structure takes place at about $760^{\circ}C$ removing 3/4 of total $SO_3$ (27.32%).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.279-289
• /
• 1997

Dark to pale green-colored, Cr-bearing sericites from hydrothermal alteration zone of the Narim gold deposit were investigated mineralogically and geochemically. The alteration zone is composed mineralogically of quartz, carbonate minerals and green sericite with minor amounts of chlorite, barite and sulfide minerals (pyrite, sphalerite, galena). The zone is enriched in As (967 to 1520 ppm), Cu (31 to 289 ppm), Ni (1027 to 1205 ppm), Pb (0.20 to 1.24 wt.%) and Zn (1.03 to 1.07 wt. %) compared with fresh rocks such as granitic gneiss, porphyritic biotite granite and basic dyke. The Cr, probably the chromophore element, is highly enriched in the alteration zone (1140 to 1500 ppm), host granitic gneiss (1200 ppm) and porphyritic biotite granite (1200 ppm). Occurrence and grain size of sericite are diverse, but most of the Cr-bearing sericites (150 to $200{\mu}m$ long and 20 to $30{\mu}m$ wide) occur along the boundaries between ore veins and host rocks (especially basic dyke and granitic gneiss). X-ray diffraction data of the sericite show its monoclinic form with unit-cell parameters of $a=5.202{\AA}$, $b=8.994{\AA}$, $c=20.103{\AA}$, ${\beta}=95.746^{\circ}$ and $V=935.83{\AA}^3$, which are similar with the normal 2M1-type muscovite. Representative chemical formula of the sericite is ($K_{1.54}Ca_{0.03}Na_{0.01}$)($Al_{3.42}Mg_{0.38}Cr_{0.14}Fe_{0.06}V_{0.02}$)($Si_{6.69}Al_{1.31}$)$O_{20}(OH)_4$. The Cr content increases with decrease of the octahedral Al content, and ranges from 0.36 to 2.58 wt.%. DTA and TG curves of the sericite show endothermic peaks at $342^{\circ}$ to $510^{\circ}$, $716^{\circ}$ to $853^{\circ}$ and $1021^{\circ}C$, which are due to the expulsion of hydroxyl group. The total weight loss by heating is measured to be about 8.8 wt. %, especially at $730^{\circ}C$. Infrared absorption experiments of the sericite show broad absorption band due to the O-H bond stretching vibration near the $3625cm^{-1}$, coupled with the 825 and $750cm^{-1}$ doublet. The vibration bands related with the H-O-Al and Si-O-Al bonds occur at $1030cm^{-1}$ and 500 to $700cm^{-1}$, respectively. Based on paragonite content of the sericite, the formation temperature of the Narim gold deposit is calculated to be $220{\pm}10^{\circ}C$.