Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Ogkye Gold Deposits, Gangwondo Province

강원도 옥계 금광상에 관한 광물학적·지화학적 연구

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.