• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.241-259
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• 2022

In general, the REE were produced by mining conventional deposits, such as the carbonatite or the clay-hosted REE deposits. However, because of the recent demand increase for REE in modern industries, unconventional REE deposits emerged as a necessary research topic. Among the unconventional REE recovery methods, the REE-bearing coal deposits are recently receiving attentions. R-types generally have detrital originations from the bauxite deposits, and show LREE enriched REE patterns. Tuffaceous-types are formed by syngenetic volcanic activities and following input of volcanic ash into the basin. This type shows specific occurrence of the detrital volcanic ash-driven minerals and the authigenic phosphorous minerals focused at narrow horizon between coal seams and tonstein layers. REE patterns of tuffaceous-types show flat shape in general. Hydrothermal-types can be formed by epigenetic inflow of REE originated from granitic intrusions. Occurrence of the authigenic halogen-bearing phosphorous minerals and the water-bearing minerals are the specific characteristics of this type. They generally show HREE enriched REE patterns. Each type of REE-bearing coal deposits may occur by independent genesis, but most of REE-bearing coal deposits with high REE concentrations have multiple genesis. For the case of the US, the rare earth oxides (REO) with high purity has been produced from REE-bearing coals and their byproducts in pilot plants from 2018. Their goal is to supply about 7% of national REE demand. For the coal deposits in Korea, lignite layers found in Gyungju-Yeongil coal fields shows coexistence of tuff layers and coal seams. They are also based in Tertiary basins, and low affection from compaction and coalification might resulted into high-REE tuffaceous-type coal deposits. Thus, detailed geologic researches and explorations for domestic coal deposits are required.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.177-193
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• 2009

The Samgwang deposit consists of eight massive mesothermal quartz veins that filled NE and NW-striking fractures along fault zones in Precambrian granitic gneiss of the Gyeonggi massif. The mineralogy and paragenesis of the veins allow two separate discrete mineralization episodes(stage I=quartz and calcite stage, stage II-calcite stage) to be recognized, temporally separated by a major faulting event. The ore minerals are contained within quartz and calcite associated with fracturing and healing of veins that occurred during both mineralization episodes. The hydrothermal alteration of stage I is sericitization, chloritization, carbonitization, pyritization, silicification and argillization. Sericitic zone occurs near and at quartz vein and include mainly sericite, quartz, and minor illite, carbonates and chlorite. Chloritic zone occurs far from quartz vein and is composed of mainly chlorite, quartz and minor sericite, carbonates and epidote. Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of sericite and chlorite range 0.45 to 0.50(0.48$\pm$0.02) and 0.74 to 0.81(0.77$\pm$0.03), and belong to muscovite-petzite series and brunsvigite, respectiveIy. Calculated $Al_{IV}$-FE/(FE+Mg) diagrams of sericite and chlorite suggest that this can be a reliable indicator of alteration temperature in Au-Ag deposits. Calculated activities of chlorite end member are $a3(Fe_5Al_2Si_3O_{10}(OH)_6$=0.0275${\sim}$0.0413, $a2(Mg_5Al_2Si_3O_{10}(OH)_6$=1.18E-10${\sim}$7.79E-7, $a1(Mg_6Si_4O_{10}(OH)_6$=4.92E-10${\sim}$9.29E-7. It suggest that chlorite from the Samgwang deposit is iron-rich chlorite formed due to decreasing temperature from high temperature(T>450$^{\circ}C$). Calculated ${\alpha}Na^+$, ${\alpha}K^+$, ${\alpha}Ca^{2+}$, ${\alpha}Mg^{2+}$ and pH values during wallrock alteration are 0.0476($400^{\circ}C$), 0.0863($350^{\circ}C$), 0.0154($400^{\circ}C$), 0.0231($350^{\circ}C$), 2.42E-11($400^{\circ}C$), 7.07E-10($350^{\circ}C$), 1.59E-12($400^{\circ}C$), 1.77E-11($350^{\circ}C$), 5.4${\sim}$6.4($400^{\circ}C$), 5.3${\sim}$5.7($350^{\circ}C$)respectively. Gain elements(enrichment elements) during wallrock alteration are $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3(T)$,CaO, MnO, MgO, As, Ag, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, W, V, Br, Cs, Rb, Sc, Bi, Nb, Sb, Se, Sn and Lu. Elements(Ag, As, Zn, Sc, Sb, Rb, S, $CO_2$) represents a potential tools for exploration in mesothermal and epithermal gold-silver deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.3 s.184
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• pp.307-318
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• 2007

The occurrence of geothermal water has high correlates highly with fossil geothermal system. A fuzzy logic based data integration is applied for geothermal potential mapping in the Southern Gyeongsang Basin which is distributed in the regional fossil geothermal system. Several data sets are related with the origin and distribution of fossil geothermal system, such as the geological map, the density of lineaments, the aerial survey map of magnetic intensity, the map of hydrothermal alteration, the distribution density of hydrothermal mines, which were collected as thematic maps for the integration. Fuzzy membership functions for all thematic maps were compared to the locations of the spa hot springs, which were used as ground-truth control points. After integrating all thematic maps, the results of gamma operator (${\gamma}=0.1$) was showed the highest success rate, and new geothermal potential zone is prospected in some area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 1992

In order to study the optimum depth for the soil geochemical exploration in the area which is affected by agricultural activities and waste disposal of metal mine, the soil samples were sampled from the B layer of residual soil and vertical 7 layers up to 250 cm in the rice field and 3 layers up to 90 cm in the ordinary field. They were analyzed for Au, As, Cu, Pb and Zn by AAS, AAS-graphite furnace and ICP. To investigate the proper depth for the soil sampling in the contaminated area, the data were treated statistically by applying correlation coefficient, factor analysis and trend analysis. It is conclude that soil geochemical exploration method could be applied in the farm-land and a little contaminated area. The optimum depth of soil sampling is 60 cm in the ordinary field, and 150~200 cm in the rice field. Soil sampling in the area of a huge mine waste disposal is not recommendable. Plotting of geochemical map with factor scores as a input data shows a clear pattern compared with the map of indicater element such as As or Au. The second or third degree trend surface analysis is effective in inferring the continuity of vein in the area where the outcrop is invisible.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.423-435
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• 2001

The gold-silver vein deposits in the Mugeug mineralized area are emplaced in late Cretaceous biotite granite associated with the pull-apart type Cretaceous Eumseong basin. Mugeug mine in northern part is composed of multiple veins showing relatively high gold fineness and is characterized by sericitization, chloritization and epidotization. The ore-forming fluids were evolved by dilution and cooling mechanisms at relatively high temperature and salinity (=30$0^{\circ}C$,1~9 equiv. wt. % NaCl) and highly-evolved meteoric water ($\delta$$^{18}$ O;-1.2~3.7$\textperthousand$) and gold mineralization associated with sulfides tormed at temperatures between 260 and 22$0^{\circ}C$ and within sulfur fugacity range of 10$^{-11.5}$ ~ 10$^{-13.5}$ atm. In contrast, Geumwang, Geumbong and Taegueg mines show the low fineness values, in southern part are characterized by increasing tendency of simple and/or stockwork veins and by kaolinitization, silicificatitan, carbonatization and smectitization. These droposits formed at relatively low temperature and salinity (<23$0^{\circ}C$, <3 equiv. wt. % NaCl) from ore-forming fluids containing greater amounts of less-evolved meteoric waters ($\delta$$^{18}$ O;-5.5~4.0$\textperthousand$), and silver mineralization representing various gold-and/or silver-bearing minerals formed at temperatures between 200 and 15$0^{\circ}C$ and from sulfur fugacity range of 10$^{-15}$ ~10$^{-18}$ atm These results imply that mineralization in the Mugueg area formed at shallow-crustal level and categorize these deposits as low-sulfidation epithermal type. The genetic differences between the northern and southern parts reflect the evolution of the hydrothermal system due to a different physicochemical environment from heat source area (Mugeug mine) to marginal area (Taegeum mine) in a geothermal field.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.463-474
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• 2011

The Haenam epithermal mineralized zone is located in the southwestern part of South Korea, and hosts low sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag deposit (Eunsan-Moisan) and clay quarries (Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan). Epithermal deposits and accompanying hydrothermal alteration related to Cretaceous volcanism caused large zoned assemblages of hydrothermal alteration minerals. Advanced argillic-altered rocks with mineral assemblages of alunite-quartz, alunite-dickite-quartz, and dickite-kaolinite-quartz exposed on the Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan area. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), with three visible and near infrared bands, six shortwave infrared bands, and five thermal infrared bands, was used to identify advanced argillic-altered rocks within the Haenam epithermal mineralized zone. The distinct spectral features of hydrothermal minerals allow discrimination of advanced argillic-altered rocks from non-altered rocks within the study area. Because alunite, dickite, and kaolinite, consisting of advanced argillic-altered rocks within the study area are characterized by Al-O-H-bearing minerals, these acid hydrothermal minerals have a strong absorption feature at $2.20{\mu}m$. The band combination and band ratio transformation cause increasing differences of DN values between advanced argillic-altered rock and non-altered rock. The alunite and dickite-kaolinite of advanced argillic-altered rocks from the Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan have average DN values of 1.523 and 1.737, respectively. These values are much higher than those (1.211 and 1.308, respectively) of non-altered area. ASTER images can remotely provide the distribution of hydrothermal minerals on the surface. In this way good relation between ASTER spectra analysis and field data suggests that ASTER spectral analysis can be useful tool in the initial steps of mineral exploration.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.73-84
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• 2010

Gold and silver deposits within the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines are located in Yeongam district, Cheollanamdo-province. They are composed of vein ore bodies infilling the fractures of Cretaceous rhyolitic tuff. The Eunjeok mine have three gold and silver bearing hydrothermal veins which is infilling the fracture of rhyolitic tuff. Major ore minerals within the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines are arsenopyrite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena and minor ores are electrum, native silver and argentite. Sericitization is dominant in alteration zone and chloritization and dickitization is minor. Quartz veins in the Eunjeok and Sangeun mine have the similar paragenesis and vein textures such like breccia, crustiform, comb and vuggy morphology indicating the formation of typical epithermal environment. In order to carry out the preliminary feasibility study of mine according to the commodity and elucidate the occurrence features of mineral resources from Eunjeok and Sangeun mine, common commodity (Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, W, Au and U), and industrial commodity (In, Re, Ga, Ge, Se, Te, Y, Eu and Sm) for 17 ore specimen were analyzed. It is tentatively thought that there is no exploitable mine for iron, lead, zinc, copper, tungsten and uranium based on the preliminary result. If the reserves are secured through the detailed prospecting in case of molybdenum and silver, it is tentatively thought that there will be exploitable deposits depending on international metal price. If we assume the vein width from 0.25 m to 2 m including alteration zone with the gold grade of 80g/t, it is inferred that the resources amount of the Eunjeok-Sangeun mines range from 6.5 to 65ton. However, as the vein structure of the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines is developed together with alteration zone, it should be estimated to include potential alteration zone in order to yield the average grade. It is needed to carry out more exploration in the near future because the reserves can be flexibly estimated according to the change of average grade considering the alteration zone.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2014

Gagok Mine, which is skarn deposits, includes sulfide minerals such as sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite. To explore these minerals, spectral induced polarization (SIP) is relatively effective compared to other geophysical exploration methods because there is a strong IP effect caused by electrode polarization. In the SIP, the chargeability related to sulfide mineral contents and the time constant related to the grain size of the minerals are obtained. For this reason, we aim to compare difference in the mineralized characteristics between two orebodies in the Gagok Mine by using the chargeability and the time constant. For this study, we sampled ores from the south of Wolgok orebody and the north of Sungok orebody. In order to recognize the mineralization characteristics, the metal content of the samples was measured by a potable XRF and the SIP data of the samples were acquired by using a laboratory SIP measurement system. As a result, the metals in the samples such as Pb, Zn, Cu, and Fe were detected by the portable XRF measurement. In particular, the Fe and Zn contents were far higher than the other metals. The Fe and the Zn were caused by the sphalerite and the pyrrhotite through microscopy. The Wolgok orebody had higher sulfide mineral contents than the Sungok orebody and the result corresponded with the chargeability result. However, we considered that the Sungok orebody had a larger sulfide mineral grain size than the Wolgok orebody because the time constant of the Sungok orebody was larger.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2019

New geochronological data of U-Pb, Re-Os and the lead isotope analysis of the Cu-Mo-Au mineral deposits are reported in the Trapiche and Constancia around Apurimac province, southeastern part of Peru. The measured ages were the first regional pulse of previously reported mineralization age between 28 and 33 Ma. The lead isotopic results indicate two sources of mineralization. The first source is thought to be derived from the upper crust and the second one is thought to be derived from a mixture of the upper crust and the lower crust.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2008

Polymetallic sulphides means hydrothermally formed deposits of sulphide minerals which contain concentrations of metals including, inter alia, copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver. Nautilus is the first company to commercially explore the seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits. The Company holds exploration licences and exploration applications for more than 370,000 $km^2$ in the jurisdictional seas of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and New Zealand along the western Pacific Ocean's Rim of Fire. Neptune Minerals is also a leading explorer and developer in this field, with exploration licences awarded totalling more than 270,000 $km^2$ in the territorial seas or EEZ of New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia. These two companies now carry out the most active investment activities for seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits with a goal of commercial production by 2010. China and Japan carry out exploration activities for the seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits to secure supplies of strategic metals. China carries out national R&D projects relating to deep sea mineral resources in the world ocean through China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association(COMRA). And Japan investigates her own EEZ for exploration of the seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits. In consideration of aforementioned international activities of coastal nations as well as private companies for exploring the sulphide deposits, Korea shall prepare strategic plans : First, consolidation of the authorities concerned and legislative support; second, determination of main entity of the project; third, securing government's decisive investment of sufficient budget; and lastly, establishment of the mid, long-term plan for development of seafloor polymetallic sulphides deposits.