A Regional Study for Developments of Kyeongnam Copper Metallogenic Province

경남지구(慶南地區) 동광상(銅鑛床)의 종합개발(綜合開發)에 관(關)한 조사연구(調査硏究)

The metamorphosed belt on cherty and andesitic rocks of the Gyeongnam province area has been well known as the most important copper matallogenetic province in Korea and locally has been investigated by several geologists. This report is summarized about geology, occurrence of ore deposits, the study of the present status of mine developments and exploitations and the suggestions of future proposed of copper mine developments and harmoniously and reseonably planning of demands and supply of copper ore. For convenience of study the writer divided the survey region as 4 areas, according to the conditions of mine location. They are (1) Goseong copper area (2) Gunbuk-Haman copper area (3) Masan-Changwon copper area (4) Tongrae-Ilgwang copper area. The geology of the above 4 areas consits of Cretaceous Gyongsang System, which is divided into Silla series, Nakdong Series and Bulguksa Series. The former has intrusive and extrusive andesite and sedimentary formation, and the latter has dioritic and hornblende granite. Ore deposits which is mostly vein types are confined mostly in the andesite and cherty rocks of Silla and Nakdong Series. It is observed slight hydrothermal alteration, i. e. propylitization, chloritization, saussuritization and silicification. It seems that the ore was formed by hydrothermal solution and secondary enrichement. The ore minerals are mainly chalcopyrite and pyrite, with small amounts of malachite, azurite, chalcocite, cuprite, galena, and sphalerite, magnetite, tetrahedrite and etc.. The efficient plan of copper mine developments in surveyed region are as following; (a) Gyeongnam Copper districts are divided in 4 area as mentioned above. (b) Each area would be likely developed as group-working as one unit. For the sufficiently supplying a demand of electric copper, the importations of high grade copper ore in foreign country are invitable at present status of copper mine developments and exploitations.