• 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.

• Proceedings of the Mineralogical Society of Korea 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. During the Daebo igneous activities (c.a. 200-150 (?) Ma) coincident with orogenic time, gold mineralization took place between c.a. 195 and 135 (127 ?) Ma. The Jurassic Au deposits commonly show several characteristics; prominent association with pegmatites, low Ag/hu 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 $(110\~50Ma)$, the precious-metal deposits are generally characterized by such features as complex vein morphology, medium to high AE/AU ratios in the ore concentrates, and diversity of ore minerals including base-metal sulfides, pyrite, arsenopyrite, Ag-rich electrum and native silver nth Ag sulfides, Ag-Sb-As sulfosalts and Ag 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 $(about\;300^{\circ}\;to\;450^{\circ}C)$ and deep-crustal level $(4.0{\pm}1.5\;kb)$ from the hydrothermal fluids containing more amounts of magmatic waters $(\delta\;^{18}O_{H2O}\;5\~10\%_{\circ})$. It can. 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 Ag-dominant $(103\~45\;Ma)$ deposits, which correspond to volcanic-plutonic-related type, occurred at relatively low temperature $(about\;200^{\circ}\;to\;350^{\circ}C)$ and shallow-crustal level $(1.0\{pm}0.5\;kb)$ from the ore-forming fluids containing more amounts of less-evolved meteoric waters$(\delta\;^{18}O_{H2O}\;-10\~5\%_{\circ})$. These characteristics of the Cretaceous precious-metal deposits can be attributed to the complexities 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.

• 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.29 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 1996

The Baegjeon Au-Ag and Sb deposits, small of disseminated-type gold deposits are formed as a result of epithermal processes associated a shallow-seated Cretaceous Yeogdun granitoids intrusion. The orebodies are formed by the replacement of carbonate minerals in thin-bedded oolitic limestone beds favorable for mineralization within the upper-most Cambrian Pungchon Limestone Formation. The mineralization can be recognized one stage, ore minerals composed of base metal sulfides, electrum, AgSb-S, Ag-Cu-S, and Sb-S minerals. Gold-bearing minerals consist of electrum and submicroscopic invisible gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite. The composition of electrums ranges from 33.58 to 63.48 atomic % Ag. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that ore fluids were low saline $NaCl-CO_2-H_2O$ system. Temporary fluid mixing and boiling occured in later stage. Fluid inclusion data indicates the homogenization temperatures and salinities of NaCl eqivalent wt% were 176 to $246^{\circ}C$ and from 0.0 to 4.8 wt%, respectively. And $-logfs_2$, of mineralization obtained by thermodynamic considerations as 12.4 to 13.8 atm. The ${\delta}^{34}S_{H_2S}$, values of hydrothermal sulfides were calculated to be 6.8 to 10.2‰ which was of sedimentary origin. The ${\delta}^{18}O_{H_2O}$ and ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO_2}$, range from -3.9 to 9.6‰, from -1.1 to -2.2‰, and ${\delta}D$ range from -89 to -118‰, respectively. The Au deposition during mineralization seems to have occurred as a result of decrease of temperature, $fs_2$, $fo_2$, and pH probably due to oxidation by meteoric water mixing, which destabilized original $Au(HS)^-{_2}$. The mineralization of the Baegjeon deposits is similar to the Carlin-type deposits characterized by sediments-hosted epithermal bedding replacement disseminated gold deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.463-472
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• 1998

The survey was carried out in order to delineate the occurrence of ore deposits and the mineralized characteristics in the Estancia de la Virgen area through the 1:2,000 scaled geological mapping and topographic measuring surveys. Gold-silver mineralization is in the fault block developed between the San Agustin Fault and Cabanas Fault. It is associated with ore bearing quartz veins controlled by the fault structure. The contents of Au and Ag range from traces up to 72 g/t and 180 g/t respectively. According to traversing the outcrops, the quartz veins are traced by 0.5 Km trended to north and south. In those extended part, they continue for 1,000 m intermittently. Gold-silver mineralization could be divided into three stages. In the first stage, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite were formed with the primary silver and gold associated with galena and copper sulfides respectively. In the second stage, Cu-Bi-Au-Ag bearing sulfides such as chalcocite, covellite, and linarite are formed and usually deposited on the cataclastic fractures of galena and/or chalcopyrite. In the third stage, both the carbonation of galena and sphalerite and the sulphatization of galena, took place in the surface environment. And then primary silver was carried away off and was deposited on galena and/or copper sulfides during oxidation near the water table. Low partitionings of Fe in sphalerite assist that the minerals were formed at the relatively low temperature, which is coincided with previously reported homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.421-434
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• 1999

Gas and chemical compositions of fluid inclusions in quartz some of Au-Ag, Pb-Zn-Cu and W-Mo mineral deposits in South Kores were analyzed to interpret the sources of ore fluid and the depositional condition of ore minerals in base-metal ore deposits. Fluid inclusions in quartz from the gold and silver mines are characterized by $CO_2$ rich fluids which have a wide range in $CH_4 \;and\; CO_2$ contents ($CH_4/CO_2$=0.001-0.225). The $CO_2$ rich but $CH_4$-poor nature of the fluid reflects the high fo2 condition during the mineral precipitation. The C2H6 is detected in hydrothermal quartz vines in metasedimentary rocks from the Jeonjoo-il, Youngbokari and Taechang mines. The $CH_4 /CO_2$ rations in W-Mo bearing quartz veins range from 0.005 to 0.214, which is similar with those in Au-Ag mines. However, skarn formation stage. Fluid inclusions, A relatively good correlation between Na and Cl contentrations reflects varible salinity in the fluid inclusion, it is suggested that the chemistry of promary magmatic hydrothermal fluids has changed during post-magmatic alteration and/or wall rock alteration processes. The content of gas compositions also depends on the kinds of country rocks, supporting above conclusion.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.395-405
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• 1996

The Donjin deposits which is located in the Chinan Basin, are emplaced along $N10{\sim}40^{\circ}E$ trending fissure sets. So it is a sort of fissure-filling ore deposits. The results of paragenetic studies suggest two stages of hydrothermal mineralization; stage I: base-metal sulfides stage, stage II: late base-metal sulfides, electrum and silver-bearing sulfosalts stage. Au: Ag ratios of the electrums show that Ag atomic% are higher than that of Au. The temperature and salinity of the Donjin deposits estimated from fluid inclusion and sulfur isotope geothermometry are as follows; stage I: $240{\sim}315^{\circ}C$, 2.4~7.1 NaCl eq. wt.%, stage II: $190{\sim}268^{\circ}C$, 4.6~8.4 NaCl eq. wt.%. The estimated oxygen and sulfur fugacity during first stage mineralization, based on phase relation of associated minerals, range from $10^{-35}{\sim}10^{-39.7}$ atm. and$10^{-11}{\sim}10^{-13.4}$ atm., respectively. All these evidences suggest that the Dongjin deposits are polymetallic meso-epithermal ore deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.269-276
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• 1988

Ore deposits of Dadeok mine, the largest in the Bonghwa gold mining district, are composed of numerous gold and silver-bearing quartz veins emplaced in granite batholith. Mineralization of the Pungjeong vein, one of the representative vein in the mine was investigated. K-Ar age of sericite in the vein is $84{\pm}5$ Ma. Hypogene 6pen-space filling can be devided into four paragenetic stages; (1) fine grained quartz and carbonate; (2) quartz and carbonates with base metal sulfides, electrum, native silver, argentite, polybasite, freibergite, pyrargyrite, and Cu-Ag-Fe-S minerals; (3) quartz with base metal sulfides; (4) quartz and calcite with or without pyrite. Composition of electrum ranges from 44.17 to 56.50 atomic % Ag. Meanwhile FeS content of sphalerite coexisting with elctrum in stage II range from 0.01 to 1.67 mol. %. Homogenization temperatures for quartz and sphalerite of stage II ($239^{\circ}$ to $310^{\circ}C$), quartz of stage III ($206^{\circ}$ to $255^{\circ}C$) and quartz and calcite of stage IV ($232^{\circ}$ to $253^{\circ}C$) show little time-space variation during mineralization. Salinities of the fluid inclusions range from 5.5 to 12.8wt% NaCI in stage II, 7.3 to 12.3wt% in stage III and 4.5 to 8.0wt% in stage IV. Based on the homogenization temperatures, Fe content of sphalerite and Ag content of electrum, tempera ture and sulfur fugacity for stage II are estimated to be $208^{\circ}$ to $310^{\circ}C$ and $10^{-9.2}-10^{-12.8}$ bars, respectively.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.257-268
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• 1988

The Mugeug gold deposits is consisted of more than fourteen gold and silver-bearing quartz veins emplaced in Mesozoic granodiorite mass. In the Samhyungje vein, one of the representative vein in the mine, six stages of mineralizatidns are recognized: Stage I, deposition of base-metal sulfides and gray quartz; stage II, deposition of base-metal sulfides, electrum and white quartz with pinkish tint; stage m, deposition of base-metal sulfides and dark gray quartz; stage N, deposition of native silver, argentite, Ag-tetrahedrite, polybasite, arsenpolybasite and quartz; stage V, deposition of nearly barren quartz; stage VI, deposition of transparent quartz veinlets with minor pyrite. Ag contents of electrum increase steadily from stage II to stage N; 57.25-61.44 atom. % for stage II, 62.85-69.66 atom. % for stage m, 69.79-74.12 atom. % for stage N. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions are as follows; stage II, from $194^{\circ}$ to $287^{\circ}C$; stage V, from $137^{\circ}$ to $171^{\circ}C$, stage VI, from $192^{\circ}$ to $232^{\circ}C$. Salinities of fluid inclusions range from 3.7 to 7.9 wt.% equivalent NaCl in stage II and from 0.8 to 4.3 wt.% equivalent Nael in stage V. Ore mineralogy suggest that temperature and sulfur fugacity declined steadily from $290^{\circ}$ to $150^{\circ}C$ and from $10^{-10.5}$ to $10^{-19.0}$atm. through stage II into stage N. Fluid pressure during stage II inferred from data of mineral assemblages and fluid inclusions is 370bar.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.103-115
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• 1989

The Tongyoung deposits are epithermal gold and silver bearing quartz-rhodochrosite vein type deposits of late Cretaceous. They occurs in the andesite and tuff breccia member called Gyeongsang basin. Four mineralizations can be distinguished at the mine based on macrostructures. From earlist stage to lastest stage they are: stage I, base-metal quartz vein; stage II, rhodochrosite vein (IIA) and Pb-Zn vein (IIB); stage III, barren quartz vein; stage IV, calcite-ankeritic rhodochrosite veins. Gold and silver mineralizations occur predominantly in the stage I and IIB. Electrum is closely associated with galena, sphalerite and pyrite, and has chemical compositions of 50.98-64.05 atom % Ag. Sphalerite contains 2.09-5.05 mol % FeS and 0.34-2.01 mol % MnS in the stage I, and 2.01-3.41 mol % FeS and 0.21-2.80 mol % MnS in the stage IIB. The FeS and MnS contents are in general correlated, and shows a characteristic zonal arrangement of electrum. It reveals rhat FeS contents of sphalerite which precipitated before electrum, gradually decreases in a grain during its deposition ranging from about 3.3 to 2 mol %. It may be considered from the above data that an increase of $fs_2$ caused by the oxidation of ore forming fluid is more important that the decrease of temperature.