• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 1993

Gold-silver deposits in the Kwangyang-Seungju area are emplaced along $N4^{\circ}{\sim}10^{\circ}W$ to $N40^{\circ}{\sim}60^{\circ}W$ trending fissures and fault in Pre-cambrian Jirisan gneiss complex or Cretaceous diorite. Mineral constituents of the ore from above deposits are composed mainly of pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, magnetite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and minor amount of electrum, tetrahedrite, miargyrite, stannite, covellite and goethite. The gangue minerals are predominantly quartz and calcite. Gold minerals consist mostly of electrum with a 56.19~79.24 wt% Au and closely associated with pyrite, chalcopyrite, miargyrite and galena. K-Ar analysis of the altered sericite from the Beonjeong mine yielded a date of $94.2{\pm}2.4\;Ma$ (Lee, 1992). This indicates a likely genetic tie between ore mineralization and intrusion of the middle Cretaceous diorite ($108{\pm}4\;Ma$). The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values ranged from +1.0 to 8.3‰ with an average of +4.4‰ suggest that the sulfur in the sulfides may be magmatic origin. The temperatures of mineralization by the sulfur isotopic composition with coexisting pyrite-galena and pyrite-chalcopyrite from Beonjeong and Jeungheung mines were $343^{\circ}C$ and $375^{\circ}C$ respectively. This temperature is in reasonable agreement with the homogenization temperature of primary fluid inclusion quartz ($330^{\circ}C$ to $390^{\circ}C$; Park.1989). Four samples of quartz from ore veins have ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of +6.9~+10.6‰ (mean=8.9‰) and three whole rock samples have ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of +7.4~+10.2‰ with an average of 7.4‰. These values are similar with those of the Cretaceous Bulgugsa granite in South Korea (mean=8.3‰; Kim et al. 1991). The calculated ${\delta}^{18}O_{water}$ in the ore-forming fluid using fractionation factors of Bulgugsa et al. (1973) range from -1.3 to -2.3‰. These values suggest that the fluid was dominated by progressive meteoric water inundation through mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.753-765
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• 2021

The Dongwon Au-Ag deposit is located within the Paleozoic Taebaeksan province, Okcheon belt. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz veins; stage II, barren carbonate veins) by major tectonic fracturing. Stage I, at which the precipitation of major ore 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 with minor magnetite, pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite; middle, characterized by introduction of electrum and base-metal sulfides with minor sulfosalts; late, marked by argentite, Cu-As (and/or Sb) and Ag-Sb sulfosalts with base-metal sulfides. Fluid inclusion data show that stage I ore mineralization was deposited between initial high temperatures (≥430℃) and later lower temperatures (≤230℃) from fluids with salinities between 6.0 to 0.4 wt. percent equiv. NaCl. The relationship of salinity and homogenization temperature suggest that ore mineralization at Dongwon was deposited mainly due to fluid boiling, cooling and dilution via influx of cooler, more dilute meteoric waters. Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur by evolution of the Dongwon hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time. The Dongwon deposit may represents a Korean-type and/or Au-Ag type mesothermal/epithermal gold-silver deposit.

• 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.17 no.4
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• pp.245-258
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• 1984

Geoje copper ore deposits are fissure filled copper veins which developed in late Cretaceous pyroclastics, andesite and shale. Mineral paragenesis reveals a division of the hydrothermal mineralization into three stages: Stage I, deposition of pyrite, magnetite, specularite, quartz and chlorite; Stage II, deposition of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite, aikinite, cosalite, electrum, quartz and chlorite; Stage III, deposition of barren calcite. Filling temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz of stage I range from 171 to $282^{\circ}C$ whereas fluid inclusions in quartz and sphalerite of stage II range from 213 to $262^{\circ}C$ and from 186 to $301^{\circ}C$ respectively. Salinities of fluid inclusions in quartz of stage I range from 5.2 to 11.2 weight percent equivalent to NaCl. Salinities of fluid inclusions in quartz and sphalerite of stage II range from 6.6 to 10.9 and from 7.1 to 14.4 weight percent equivalent NaCl. Salinities of ore fluid during major mineralization stage in this deposits reveal nearly the same ranges as those of many copper deposits in Koseong copper mining district which located about 30km apart from Geoje mine. But filling temperatures of fluid inclusions formed during major copper mineralization stage in this deposits show slightly lower than those of copper deposits in Koseong copper mining district.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1990

A couple of Au-Ag-bearing epithermal quartz veins of Cretaceous(87.9Ma) in age are developed in the Cretaceous(112Ma) granodiorite batholith which was emplaced in Mesozoic Baegyari sedimentary formation. Au minerals consist mostly of electrum with a 54.2-61.9 wt% Au and are closely associated with sulfide minerals including pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, galena and sphalerite. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz, fluorite and calcite are $196-368^{\circ}C$ (avg. $240^{\circ}C$), $74-176^{\circ}C$ (avg. $115^{\circ}C$) and $75-200^{\circ}C$ (avg. $119^{\circ}C$) respectively. Sulfur isotopic compositions( +5- +8‰) of ore sulfides indicate a deep-seated sulfur origin. Oxygen isotope compositions of different stages of quartz vary from +5.6 to +9.3‰ and calculated ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of ore fluid at $250^{\circ}C$ range from -3.2 to +0.4‰, reflecting an isotopically evolved ore fluid mixed with a $^{18}O$ depleted meteoric water under the variable mixing ratios between hydrothermal and meteoric waters. Isotopic data of calcite minerals support the above conclusions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 1996

Electrum-sulfide minerals of the Namsan Au-Ag mine were deposited in two stages of quartz and calcite veins that fill fault planes in Mesozoic granitic rocks (230~155 Ma). The K/Ar radiometric dating of hydrothermal sericite indicates that mineralization is early Cretaceous age ($127{\pm}3.0Ma$). Mineralogic, fluid inclusion and sulfur isotopic data show that ore minerals were deposited at temperatures between $340^{\circ}C$ and $200^{\circ}C$ from fluid with salinities of 3 to 6 equiv. wt % NaCl. Evidence of fluid boiling (and $CO_2$ effervescence) indicates a maximum pressures of 100 bars. The formation temperature and $fs_2$, of Au-mineralization from the Namsan mines are mainly $280{\sim}230^{\circ}C$ and $10^{-11}{\sim}10^{-13}$ atm, respectively. Au deposition was likely a result of boiling caused to chemical change (pH, $f_{O2}$, ${\Sigma}_{H_2S{\cdot}{\cdot}}$) of ore-fluids. Sulfur isotope composition of sulfide minerals (${\delta}^{34}S=5.1$ to 8.2‰) are consistent with ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}{H2S}}$ value of +6 to +7‰, suggesting an igneous source of sulfur partially mixed with wall-rock sulfur.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 1988

The Cretaceous Jinsan gold-bearing hydrothermal veins occur within the Late Proterozoic to Mid Ordovician metasedimentary rocks, intruded by Early Cretaceous pink-feldspar granite($142{\pm}2.0m.y.$). Electrum-galena-sphalerite mineralization was deposited in three stages of quartz and calcite veins. Quartz sulfide-bearing stage I and II evolved from initial high temperatures (near $360^{\circ}C$)to later lower temperatures(near $220^{\circ}C$)from lower salinity fluids(1.0 to 3.2 wt.% NaCl eq.). Fluid inclusion data from the post ore carbonate stage reflects much cooler($110^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}C$). Evidence of boiling indicates pressure of<85 bars, corresponding to depths of 400m to 1050m assuming lithostatic and hydrostatic loads. Au-deposition was likely a result of boiling, coupled with declining temperatures. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ $H_2S$ values calculated for sulfides are consistent with an igneous source of sulfur with a ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$ value near 4.0‰.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.347-361
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• 1991

The Sangeun ore deposit is located in a volcanic belt within the Gyeongsang Basin in south western Korea. The ore deposit is of representative epithermal Au-Ag quartz vein type developed in lapilli tuff. This paper presents the mineralization with special emphasis on mineral zoning of the deposits. Principal points are summarized as follows: (1) Four stages of mineralization are recognized based on macrostructures. From ealier to later they are stage I(arsenopyrite-pyrite-quartz), stage II(Au-Ag bearing Pb-Zn-quartz), stage III(barren quartz), and stage IV(dickite-quartz). (2) Electrum principally occurs with arsenopyrite and galena in stage II, and has chemical compositions of 72.9-67.1 Ag atom %, and has Ag/Au ratio of 2.69-2.04. (3) Sphalerite varies in its FeS content according to the mineralization stages; 22.03-18.60 mole % FeS and 1.33-0.23 mole % MnS in stage IB, 16.11-8.64 mole % FeS and 1.33-0.23 mole % MnS in stage II. (4) Alteration zones of mineral assemblage, from the vein to the wall-rock, consist of sericite - quartz - pyrite, sericite - quartz - dickite, sericite - chlorite plagioclase respectively.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 1997

Gold mineralization of the Ogkye gold mine was deposited mainly in quartz veins up to 150 cm wide which occupy fissures in Cambrian Pungchon limestone. Ore minerals are relatively simple as follows: pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, electrum and galena. On the basis of the Ag/Au ratio on ore grades, mode of occurrence and assoicated mineral assemblages, the Ogkye gold deposit can be classified as pyrite-type gold deposit (Group IIB). Fluid inclusion data indicate that ore minerals were deposited between $400^{\circ}$and $230^{\circ}C$ from relatively dilute fluids (0.2 to 7.3 wt.% eq. NaCl) containing $CO_2$. The ore mineralization resulted from a complex history of $CO_2$ effervescence and local concomitant boiling coupled with cooling and dilution of ore fluids. Gold deposition was likely a result of decrease of sulfur activity caused by sulfide deposition and/or $H_2S$ loss accompanying fluid unmixing. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfide minerals (${\delta}^{34}S=3.5{\sim}5.9$‰) are consistent with ${\delta}^{34}S_{H_2S}$ value of 4.8 to 6.1‰, suggesting mainly an igneous source of sulfur partially mixed with wall-rock sulfur.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.205-213
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• 1980

Stannite is mainly found in hypothermal ore deposits, whereas mawsonite and stannoidite occur characteristically with bornite and chalcopyrite in subvolcanic (xenothermal) ore deposits. Mawsonite always shows the replacement on the rims of stannoidite grains or along the grain boundaries of stannoidite, bornite and chalcopyrite. In the Tada mine, Japan, the following mineral assemblages of the Cu-Fe-Sn-S minerals were observed. 1) bornite-stannoidite; 2) stannoidite-chalcopyrite; 3) stannite-chalcopyrite; 4) bornite-mawsonite-stannoidite; 5) bornite-stannoidite-chalcopyrite; 6) mawsonite-stannoidite-chalcopyrite; 7) stannoidite-stannite-chalcopyrite; 8) bornite-mawsonite-stannoidite-chalcopyrite The heating and D.T.A. experimental results indicate that natural stannoidite containing 3 weight percent of zinc decomposes to bornite, stannite and chalcopyrite at above $500^{\circ}C$, whereas zinc-free synthetic stannoidite is stable up to $800^{\circ}C$. The stability temperature of zincian stannoidite depends on the zinc content. Mawsonite is stable at temperatures below $390^{\circ}C$ and decomposed to stannoidite, bornite and chalcopyrite above it. According to the sulfur fugacity determination by the electrum tarnish method the univariant assemblage of mawsonite, bornite, stannoidite and chalcopyrite requires a higher sulfur fugacity than that of bornite, stannoidite and chalcopyrite assemblage.