• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2008

The Cretaceous Gajok gold-silver deposit within porphyry granite is located nearby the Cretaceous Pungam basin at the northeastern area in Republic of Korea. The Gajok gold-silver deposit is distinctively composed of a multiple-complex hydrothermal veins with comb, crustiform chalcedony quartz and vug textures, implying it was formed relatively shallower depth. The hypogene open-space filling veins could be divided into 5 paragenetic sequences, increasing tendency of Ag-rich electrum and Ag-phases with increasing paragenetic time. Electrum with high gold contents (${\sim}50$ atomic % Au) as well as sphalerite with high FeS contents (${\sim}6$ mole % FeS) are representative ore minerals in the middle stage. The late stage is characterized by silver-phase such like native silver and/or argentite, coexisting with Ag-rich electrum ($10{\sim}30$ atomic % Au) and Fe-poor sphalerite (< 1 mole % FeS). The ore-forming fluids evolution started at relatively high temperature and salinity (${\sim}360^{\circ}C$, ${\sim}7\;wt.%$ eq. NaCl) and were evolved by dilution and mixing mechanisms on the basis of fluid inclusion study. The gold-silver mineralization proceeded from ore-forming fluids containing greater amounts of less-evolved meteoric waters(${\delta}^{18}O$; $-0.6{\sim}-6.7\;%o$). These results imply that gold-silver mineralization of the Cretaceous Gaiok deposit formed at shallow-crustal level and could be categorized into low-sulfidation epithermal type, related to Cretaceous igneous activity.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.275-286
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• 2008

The Sambo gold deposit located nearby the Cretaceous Hampyeong basin is composed of gold quartz fine vein(the Jija vein) within Cretaceous rhyolite showing $N10{\sim}20W$ trends as well as $N5{\sim}10E$ trending quartz veins(the Pungja, Gwangsan and Pungjaji veins) in Precambrian gneiss. The gold vein typically displays the intermittent and irregular fine veins within rhyolite. Electrum is disseminated in wallrock along the fine cracks as well as coexists with hematite replacing pyrite. Ore-forming fluids from the mineralized vein($H_2O/-NaCl$ system, Th; $340{\sim}200^{\circ}C$, Salinity <2.7 eq. wt.% NaCl) and NE-trending veins($H_2O-NaCl/-CO_2$ system, Th; $400{\sim}190^{\circ}C$, salinity <7.9 eq. wt.% NaCl) are featured by dissimilar physicochemical conditions but their fluid evolution trends(boiling and mixing) are similar with each other. Gold veins of the Sambo deposit filled along NNW-trending tension crack are related to pull-apart basin evolution. Selective gold mineralization of the deposit reflect to dissimilarity between two ore-forming fluid sources. Consequently, gold veining of the Sambo deposit formed at shallow-crustal level and could be categorized into epithermal-type gold deposit related to tensional fractures filling triggered by Cretaceous geodynamics.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.484-494
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• 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
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.665-676
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• 1996

Domestic metal mines have contributed to the national industrialization of Japan for over a century through their stable supply of raw materials. However, due to the changes which have taken place in the industries structure, mining industry has been shifted to downstream industries. At present, only three major mines are in production. In recent times, changing economic conditions have made it increasingly difficult to develop new base metal mines. Subsequently, the deposit type targeted has shifted from base metals to epithermal associated gold deposits which, if of sufficient grade and tonnage, can be economical. Accompanying the dramatic rise in the price of gold during the late 1970's, has been an increase in the geological information and our understanding of epithermal gold deposits around the Pacific rim region. In particular, the common acceptance of the plate tectonic theory and the correlation's between modem geothermal systems and fossil epithermal systems were most important developments. In 1988, the Mining Council authorized the domestic exploration of 19 districts, targeting epithermal gold mineralization. Since 1989 the Metal Mining Agency of Japan, semi-government organization, has been conducted gold exploration in such area. With new genetic concepts and new technologies, promising gold mineralization has been discovered. Two such areas which are at an advanced stage of exploration are Seta, in northern Hokkaido, and Noya, in central Kyushu.

• 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 $fo_2$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Gold mineralization of Samjeong and Yongjang gold mines in Uichang area shows characteristics of Bonanza-type gold deposits. Ores are mainly developed along the contact parts between quartz vein and arkosic sandstone beds(Fe-rich bed) in sedimentary rock. Electrum, silver sulfide and sulfate minerals are mainly in the ores. On the other hand, gold mineralization is less developed in cherty rock and andesitic rock than arkosic sandstone. The study highlights characteristics of gold precipitation in the deposit on the basis of numerical modelling of the reactions between the assumed hydrothermal ore fluids with multicomponent heterogeneous equilibrium calculations. Aqueous species, gases and minerals, containing electrum are included in the calculations. The reaction result between hydrothermal ore fluids and arkosic sandstone show that pH increasing in the ore-forming fluid would trigger precipitation of quartz, chlorite, sericite, chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite, electrum, actinolite and feldspar. The numerical modelling also illustrates the drastic increase of pH and desulfidation lead to precipitation of electrum. Ag/Au ratios in the ore vary with pH conditions and subsequently precipitation of silver-bearing sulfides such as acanthite and polybasite. The modelling of the reaction between andesitic rock and ore-forming fluid shows that mineral assemblages of the case are analogous to ones of the reaction between arkosic sandstone and fluid except the latter has little portion of electrum. The abovementioned modelling results suggest that gold-silver mineralization is bounded by host rocks at the study area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.287-307
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• 1988

The Cheongju gold-silver mine is located at approximately $36^{\circ}28^{\prime}$north latitude and $127^{\circ}31^{\prime}$ east longitude in the Cheongju City of the Chung cheong bug Do, South Korea. Gold-Silver bearing hydrothermal quartz veins, occur in Cheongju Granit of Jurassic age. K-Ar isotope data for sericite in quartz vein indicate that the Au-Ag mineralization took place in early Cretaceous ($97.5{\pm}2.18$ MA. Park, et ai, 1986). Three stage of mineralization recognized anre, from early to later, (I) Sulide stage: pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite (Hpo), sphalerite, chalcopyrite, electrum and quartz (II) Electrum stage: pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, electrum and quartz. (III) Silver mineral stage: pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite (Mpo), sphalerite, galena, electrum, native silver argentite, fluorite, calcite and quartz. In this paper, mode of occurrences and chemical compositions of electum and native silver have been investigated by means of microscope and EPMA. Electron probe microanalysis shows that an individual grain of electrum is almost homogeneous in composition. Silver content of electrum ranges from 44.7-67.1 atom.%. Gold content of native silver ranges below 0.2 atom. %. Vicker's hardness number (VHN) of electrum and native silver ranges $78.2-81.8kg/mm^{2}$ respectively. The filling temperature of fluid inclusions in quartz ranges from $130-280^{\circ}C$. On the basis of arsenpyrite geothemometer, the equilibrium temperature and sulfur fugacity of the pyrite-arsenopyrite-pyrrhotite(Hpo) assemblage is assumed to be in ange from $300-310^{\circ}C$ and $10^{-10}$ to $10^{-11}$ atm. The estimated ore reserviors on Cheongju mine area are calculated to 8000 T/M, averaing 8.6g/t Au, 27.8 g/t Ag, 1.25% Pb, l.65% Zn.

• 한국석유지질학회:학술대회논문집
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• autumn
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• pp.71-71
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• 2000

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.491-503
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• 2010

Geochemical characteristics of the Moisan epithermal gold-silver deposit with total 140 samples in Haenam area, Jeollanamdo were studied by using multivariate statistical analysis (correlation analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis). The correlation analysis reveals that Ag, Cu, Bi, Te are highly correlated with Au in the both non-mineralized and mineralized zone. It is resulted from the presence of Au-Ag bearing minerals (electrum, sylvanite, calaverite and stuezite) and non Au-Ag containing minerals (chalcopyrite, tellurobismuthite and bismuthinite). Mo shows relatively much higher correlation at the mineralized zone (0.615) than non-mineralized zone (0.269) which implies Mo content is strongly affected by Au-mineralization. While Mn, Cs, Fe, Se correlated with Au at the nonmineralized zone, they have negative correlation at the mineralized zone. Therefore, they seem to be eluviated elements from the host rock during gold mineralization. Sb is enriched during the gold mineralization showing high correlation at the mineralized zone and negative correlation at the non-mineralized zone. According to the factor analysis, Se, Ag, Cs, Te are the indicators of gold mineralization presence due to the strong affection of gold content in the non-mineralized zone. In the mineralized zone, on the other hand, Mo, Te and Sb, Cu are the indicators of gold and silver mineralization, respectively. While the cluster analysis reveals that Cd-Zn-Pb-S, Bi-Fe-Cu-Mn, Se-Te-Au-Cs-Ag, As-Sb-Ba are the similar behavior elements groups in the non-mineralized zone, Cd-Zn-Mn-Pb, Fe-S-Se, As-Bi-Cs, Ag-Sb-Cu, Au-Te-Mo are the similar behavior elements groups in the mineralized zone. Using multivariate statistical analysis as mentioned above makes it possible to compare the behavior of presented minerals and difference of geochemical characteristics between mineralized and non-mineralized zone. Therefore, it will be expected a useful tool on the similar type of mining exploration.

• 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.