• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.781-797
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• 2023

Recently, there has been a rapid response from mineral-demanding countries for securing critical minerals in a high tech industries. Graphite, while overwhelmingly dominated by China in production, is changing in global supply due to the exponential growth in EV battery sector, with active exploration in East Africa. Rare earth elements are essential raw materials widely used in advanced industries. Globally, there are ongoing developments in the production of REEs from three main deposit types: carbonatite, laterite, and ion-adsorption clay types. While China's production has decreased somewhat, it still maintains overwhelming dominance in this sector. Recent changes over the past few years include the rapid emergence of Myanmar and increased production in Vietnam. Nickel has been used in various chemical and metal industries for a long time, but recently, its significance in the market has been increasing, particularly in the battery sector. Worldwide, nickel deposits can be broadly classified into two types: laterite-type, which are derived from ultramafic rocks, and ultramafic hosted sulfide-type. It is predicted that the development of sulfide-type, primarily in Australia, will continue to grow, while the development of laterite-type is expected to be promoted in Indonesia. This is largely driven by the growing demand for nickel in response to the demand for lithium-ion batteries. The global lithium ores are produced in three main types: brine lake (78%), rock/mineral (19%), and clay types (3%). Rock/mineral type has a slightly higher grade compared to brine lake type, but they are less abundant. Chile, Argentina, and the United States primarily produce lithium from brine lake deposits, while Australia and China extract lithium from both brine lake and rock/mineral sources. Canada, on the other hand, exclusively produces lithium from rock/mineral type. Vanadium has traditionally been used in steel alloys, accounting for approximately 90% of its usage. However, there is a growing trend in the use for vanadium redox flow batteries, particularly for large-scale energy storage applications. The global sources of vanadium can be broadly categorized into two main types: vanadium contained in iron ore (81%) produced from mines and vanadium recovered from by-products (secondary sources, 18%). The primary source, accounting for 81%, is vanadium-iron ores, with 70% derived from vanadium slag in the steel making process and 30% from ore mined in primary sources. Intermediate vanadium oxides are manufactured from these sources. Vanadium deposits are classified into four types: vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM), sandstone-hosted, shale-hosted, and vanadate types. Currently, only the VTM-type ore is being produced.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.209-215
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• 2014

In order to develop a new mineral exploration technique, a study was carried out about the potential mapping of Moisan area using SIP (Spectral Induced Polarization) data. The SIP inversion results were classified according to the geological regions, and the distribution characteristics of resistivity and phase values of SIP data were analyzed at the ore region. Based on the characteristics of SIP of ore bodies, we performed 3D potential mapping of Moisan area. The analyzed potential map was verified using that the locations and patterns of high potential regions of the results are well matched with those of the known ore bodies. If we get the higher spatial resolution SIP data, the potential mapping technique using SIP data can be effectively applied to the estimation of mining deposit.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2019

In this paper, we propose a method to apply the polynomial fitting for regional-residual separation of microgravity data based on the characteristics of gravity anomaly without a prior information. Since the microgravity survey is usually carried out in small regions, it is common to approximate regional anomaly by the first-order polynomial plane. However, if the regional anomaly patterns are difficult to be approximated to a first-order plane, the complete gravity anomaly is divided into small zones enough to approximate first-order plane by means of Parasnis density estimation method. The regional-residual separation is then applied on the splitted zones individually. When the gravity anomalies can be splitted spatially, we showed that the residual anomalies can be more effectively extracted based on the regional geological structures by regional anomaly separation from each of the divided regions, rather than applying the entire data set at one time.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.31-52
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• 2002

국내광업은 ‘90년대 이후 석탄산업합리화조치와 국제금속광물시장 가격안정화로 그 동안 광업을 주도한 석탄산업과 금속광업은 급격히 위축되는 한편, 산업원료의 수요증가 추세에 힘입어 비금속광물 개발은 비교적 활발한 상태이다. 이와 같이 국내 광업의 주긴 영역이 석탄광과 금속광에서 비금속광 중심으로 개편되고 있으나, 현재 가행중인 비금속광은 고품위광체 확보 미흡, 고부가가치 기술낙후 등으로 고가의 주요 산업원료는 주로 수입에 의존하고 있는 실정이다. 따라서 국내광업으로서는 비금속광 중심의 단순한 원광식 생산$\cdot$판매체계를 고부가 산업으로 전환시키기 위한 전략적인 방안이 필요한 시기이다. 본 발표문은 이러한 국내광업의 향후 발전방향을 모색하기 위하여 국내 광업이 국가 경제에서 차지하는 영역을 중심으로 $\boxDr$광업동향$\boxUl$ $\boxDr$광업의 국내$\cdot$외 환경분석$\boxUl$ $\boxDr$광업의 경제활동 현황$\boxUl$ $\boxDr$광업의 경제적 위치와 역할$\boxUl$로 분류하여 자료분석을 실시하였으며, 분석한 자료를 토대로 국내광업의 중요성과 당면과제를 도출하고 이에 따른 광업의 새로운 역할을 제시하고자 하였다. 국내광업은 각종 지표에서 나타난 바와 같이 여러 가지 구조적인 문제점으로 인해 개발에 어려움을 겪고 있지만 각종 산업원료의 중간재 공급원으로서의 전통적인 역할을 충실히 담당하고 있는 것으로 분석되었다. 그러나 과학기술의 급격한 발달, 소비패턴의 변화, 생활환경과 삶의 질을 중시하는 새로운 가치관의 확산 등으로 광업의 역할도 새로운 변화의 전기를 맞이하고 있음을 볼 수 있다. 국내광업이 21C 급변하는 산업환경에 적응하여 생존하기 위해서는 각종 첨단산업에서 요구하는 소량 다품종의 원료광물을 적기에 공급 할 수 있는 전문화된 기술력을 하루속히 확보해야 하며, 이를 위해 고품위의 원료광물 확보를 위한 탐사 및 개발을 적극 추진하고 가공기술의 선진화를 위해 선진국과의 기술제휴 등 자원산업 글로벌화 정책이 절실히 요구되고 있음을 알 수 있다 또한 삶의 질을 향상시키려는 현대인의 가치관에 부합하기 위해서는 각종 소비제품의 원료를 제공하는 광업의 본래 목적 이외에도 자연환경 훼손을 최소화하며 개발 할 수 밖에 없는 구조적인 어려움에 직면할 수 밖에 없다. 이처럼 국내광업이 안고 있는 여러 가지 난제들을 극복하기 위해서는 업계와 정부가 합심하여 국내광업 육성의 중요성을 재인식하고 새로운 마음가짐으로 관련 정책을 수립 일관성있게 추진해 나가야 할 것으로 보인다.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2010

In this paper we applied Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar(GB-SAR) interferometry to detect artificial displacement of a reflector and performed an atmospheric humidity correction to improve the accuracy. A series of GB-SAR images were obtained using a center frequency of 5.3 GHz with a range resolution of 25 cm and a azimuth resolution of $0.324^{\circ}$, all in full-polarization (HH, VV, VH, HV) modes. A triangular trihedral corner reflector was located 160 m away from the system, and the artificial displacements of 0-40 mm was implemented during the GB-SAR image acquisition. The result showed that the RMS error between the actual and measured displacements, averaged in all polarization data, was 1.22 mm, while the maximum error in case of the 40 mm displacement was 2.72 mm at HH-polarization. After the atmospheric correction with respect to the humidity, the RMS error was reduced to 0.52 mm. We conclude that a GB-SAR system can be used to monitor the possible displacement of artificial/natural scatterers and the stability assessment with sub-millimeter accuracy.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.161-165
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• 2000

지질학적으로 선구조는 지체구조해석을 비롯한 광물자원 및 지하수탐사, 자연재해분석, 지질구조해석등 다양한 분야에서 활용되고 있다. 이러한 선구조를 추출하는 방법은 많은 연구자들에 의해 연구되어 왔다. 최근 컴퓨터의 발달로 선구조를 객관적이고 손쉽게 추출하고자 하는 연구가 진행되었고, 이번 연구는 이처럼 컴퓨터를 이용한 선구조의 자동화된 추출을 목적으로 하였으며, 지형을 잘 나타내주는 수치표고모델을 이용하여 지형적인 특징을 규명될 수 있는 선구조를 추출하였다. 먼저, 수치표고모델에 5도간격으로 만들어진 일정크기의 필터를 적용하여 계곡에서 높은 값을 갖은 영상과 능선에서 높은 값을 갖는 영상을 각각 만들었다. 이 영상에서 threshold를 통해 얻어진 이진영상을 세선화하여 계곡과 산맥을 구해 내었고, 각각의 산맥과 계곡을 이루는 요소들을 직선이라 가정하였을 때의 오차를 구하였다. 이 값이 일정 범위안에 들어가고 일정 길이 이상인 경우에만 선구조로써 선택을 하였다.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2019

Borehole elemental concentration logging, measuring neutron-induced gamma rays by inelastic scattering and neutron capture interactions between neutron and formation, delivers concentrations of the most common elements found in the minerals and fluids of subsurface formation. X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis from core samples are traditionally used to understand formation composition and mineralogy, but it represents only part of formations. Additionally, it is difficult to obtain elemental analysis over the whole intervals because of poor core recovery zones such as fractures or sand layers mainly responsible for groundwater flow. The development of borehole technique for in situ elemental analysis plays a key role in assessing subsurface environment. Although this technology has advanced consistently starting from conventional and unconventional resources evaluation, it has been considered as exclusive techniques of some major service company. As regards domestic research and development, it has still remained an unexplored field because of some barriers such as the deficiency of detailed information on tools and calibration facility for chemistry and mineralogy database. This article reviews the basic theory of spectroscopy measurements, system configuration, calibration facility, and current status. In addition, this article introduces the domestic researches and self-development status on borehole elemental concentration tools.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.412-421
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• 2014

In order to develop an effective mineral exploration technique, this study was carried out about the potential mapping of Gagok mine. The deposit model of Gagok mine is widely known. Based on the deposit model, we constructed mining indicator indices using related igneous rocks, faults, and carbonate rocks. By analyzing the spatial correlation between ore and indicator index structures, we decided the weighting values of indices according to the distance from the index structure. The 3D potential mapping was performed using 3D geological model and geological indices. The analyzed potential map verified that the locations and patterns of high potential regions of the results were well matched with those of the known ore bodies. Using the potential mapping results, we could effectively predict the location of a high potential area that has similar geological settings with ore.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.505-515
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• 2020

The Yellow Sea and northern East China Sea contain a transgressive sand layer. Numerous sedimentary studies have been carried out in these sand deposits using seismic exploration and core sediment techniques, but few mineralogical studies have been reported. The major purposes of this study are to describe the distributions of heavy minerals throughout the Yellow sea and northern East China Sea and to identify the provenance of coarse sediments using the mineral chemistry. Eight heavy mineral species were identified in the study area (epidote, amphibole, garnet, zircon, sphene, rutile, apatite, and monazite). The study region was divided into six areas (areas A to F) based on heavy mineral distributions and sampling locations. In mineral chemistry, the amphiboles present are classified as edenite and hornblende in the calcic amphibole group, and the garnets are identified primarily as almandine in the pyralspite group. A combined data set of heavy mineral distributions and mineral chemistry showed clear differentiation of the characteristics of the six classified areas, enabling determination of provenance and sedimentary environment. Area A and B in the eastern Yellow Sea were originated from the Korean peninsula, and these regions showed different heavy mineral characteristics by tidal current and coastal current. In addition, monazite was only found in the area B and could be used as an indicator from the southwestern Korean peninsula. Area D and E in the western Yellow Sea showed the characteristics of sediments originating from the Huanghe, and sediment in the area E was derived from the Changjiang. Area C in the northern East China Sea appeared to have Changjiang-origin sediment, and abundant apatite indicated that area C was formed close to the Last Glacial Maximum.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2014

The Chinese government and its agencies were trying in order to solve the unstability of resource supply and demand. Ministry of Land and Resources of China(MLR) carried out a lot of national-level policy and planning for estimating the domestic mineral and energy resources potential and recoverable reserves, as the Chinese land and resources survey plan(1999~2010), the Chinese mineral resource survey and exploration plan(2008~2020), announcement for shale gas industry policies of China, the Chinese shale gas resources evaluation and selection project for its development priority areas(2012), and the plan for Chinese shale gas development(2011~2015). The two large sedimentary basins of Chinese shale gas reserves are Sichuan and Tarim basins with excellent potential, accounting for majority of the estimated national reserves. Recoverable gas-bearing shale of China was surveyed to be widespread. The volume of recoverable shale gas reservoirs in China has been estimated to be around 31 trillion cubic meters(1,115 trillion cubic feet). China is one of only three countries with the US and Canada to produce shale gas in commercial quantities. China is concentrating on technology development to enhance commercial production of shale gas, and on survey and exploration activities to increase its recoverable reserves. The trends related to shale gas development and R&D activities in China to respond to changes in international oil market should be actively monitored based on analysis of Chinese policies and technology.