• 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.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.123-133
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• 1970

위에서 상논(詳論)한것을 요약(要約)하면, 1) 본(本) 지성(地城)을 구성(構成)하는 지질(地質)은 신나통(新羅統)의 퇴적암류(堆積岩類), 이를 관입(貫入)하는 불국사순(佛國寺純)의 화강록암(花崗綠岩) 및 암맥(岩脈)으로 되어 있다. 2) 광구일대(鑛區一帶)의 퇴적암류(堆積岩類)는 원내(原來)의 퇴적상(堆積相)과 화강섬록암(花崗閃綠岩)의 관입등(貫入等)으로 규화(珪化)되 어 규암(珪岩) 또는 규화(珪化)된 혼펠스로 변(變)하여 있다. 3) 지질구조(地質構造)는 단순(單純)한 배사(背斜)를 나타내 며 퇴적암(堆積岩) 및 화강섬록암중(花崗閃綠岩中)에 수(數) sets의 절이(節理)가 발달(發達)하여 이들에 따라 광화작용(鑛化作用)이 이루어졌다. 4) 광상(鑛床)은 퇴적암(堆積岩) 및 화강섬록암중(花崗閃綠岩中)의 열하에 연(沿)하여 배태(胚胎)하며 연(軟)망간광(鑛) 광맥(鑛脈)과 금은광맥(金銀鑛脈)의 2종(種)이 발달(發達)된다. 5) 금은광맥(金銀鑛脈)은 맥폭(脈幅)이 좁고 주향방향(走向方向)의 연장(延長)이 단속(斷續)되 며 분석결과(分析結果) 금(金)은 없고 은(銀)은 23.3g/t 내지(乃至) 913.3g/t 이여서 가행가치(稼行價直)가 없다. 6) 망강광맥(鑛脈)은 수조(數條)있으나 주목(注目)만한 것은 제(第)4갱맥(坑脈)과 제(第)5갱맥(坑脈)으로서, 전자(前者)는 연장(延長) 120m, 평균맥폭(平均脈幅) 0.5m 추정(推定)되며, 평균품위(平均品位)는 Mn 약(約) 17.5%이다. 후자(後者)도 연장(延長) 120m, 평균맥폭(平均脈幅) 0.6m 추정(推定)되며, 평균품위(平均品位)는 15.7%이다. 7) 광맥(鑛脈)은 후화강섬록암시기(後花崗閃綠岩時期)의 열하의 방위(方位)에 지배(支配)받으며, 주향(走向) 및 경사방향(傾斜方向)으로 전변(轉變)한다. 그러나 규암질모암(珪岩質母岩)의 성질(性質)로 보아 광상(鑛床)이 팽대(膨大)하여질 가능성(可能性)은 없다. 8) 망간 및 금은광맥(金銀鑛脈)은 열수광상(熱水鑛床)에 속(屬)한다.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 1999

The objectives of this study are to investigate soil contamination in the vicinity of abandoned Au-Ag mine and to apply a remediation technique of liming to tailings. In the study area of the Imcheon Au-Ag mine, soils were sampled in and around the mine the analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry extracted by both 0.1N HCl and aqua regia. Elevated levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations extracted by 0.1N HCl were found in soils taken from tailings site. These high contents directly influenced metal concentrations in soils taken in the vicinity of the site. This is mainly due to clastic movement by wind and effluent of mine waste water. In addition, relatively enriched concentrations of the metals were found in soils extrated by aqua regia due to strong decomposition of the samples compared with 0.1N HCl extration. According to the statistical approach, metal concentrations in soils by 0.1N HCl had a positive correlation with those by aqua regia extraction. Mine waste waters and stream waters were also sampled around the mine in spring and summer and analyzed by AAS for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, and by Ion Chromatography for anions. Like soils developed over tailings, significant levels of metals and sulphates were found in the mine waste waters ranging of 0.2~0.3, 0.5~2.0, 0.2~2.8, 30~50 and 1,240~4,700 mg/l of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and $SO_4^{2-}$, respectively. These elevated levels influenced in the stream waters in the vicinity of the tailings site. In seasonal variation of metal and anion contents, relatively high levels were found in waters sampled on summer due to leaching the metals and anions from tailings by rain. This study also examined the possibility of lime treatment for remediation of acid mine tailings and assumed to be 46 tones of pulverized lime for neutralization of the tailings.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.213-219
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• 2006

The Yongjang mine is located in Masan City, Gyeongsangnamdo, which consists of a black shale possessing quartzite veins with othercompositions such as gold, silver, and sublimated sulfur. The average width of the veins is $9{\sim}17cm$ and the average degrees of the gold and silver are 3.6 g/t and 113.6 g/t respectively. A regional and a detailed scale electrical resistivity surveys are conducted to determine the existence of the mineralization zones and the linear structures in the study area. In addition, surveys of a several different array methods are conducted such as dipole-dipole array in the surface and borehole-to-surface array, surface-to-borehole array, and dipole-dipole array in the borehole. The method of element division can be applied to the region in which the borehole is curved, inclined or the distance between the electrodes is shorter than that of nodal points, because the coordinate of each electrode cannot be assigned directly to the nodal point if several electrodes are in an element. Yongjang vein is extended longer under the subsurface than on the surface in the images reconstructed from the 3D inversion. Therefore, it is recognized that the 3-D interpretation of the electrical resistivity survey is a very useful method to figure out the existence of strike and extension direction because the mineralization zones and the linear structures are shown in each depth.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.445-455
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• 2009

Microbiological sulfate reduction is the transformation of sulfate to sulfide catalyzed by the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria using sulfate as an electron acceptor. Low solubility of metal sulfides leads to precipitation of the sulfides in solution. The effects of microbiological sulfate reduction on in-situ precipitation of arsenic and copper were investigated for the heavy metal-contaminated soil around the Songcheon Au-Ag mine site. Total concentrations of As, Cu, and Pb were 1,311 mg/kg, 146 mg/kg, and 294 mg/kg, respectively, after aqua regia digestion. In batch-type experiments, indigenous sulfate-reducing bacteria rapidly decreased sulfate concentration and redox potential and led to substantial removal of dissolved As and Cu from solution. Optimal concentrations of carbon source and sulfate for effective microbial sulfate reduction were 0.2~0.5% (w/v) and 100~200 mg/L, respectively. More than 98% of injected As and Cu were removed in the effluents from both microbial and chemical columns designed for metal sulfides to be precipitated. However, after the injection of oxygen-rich solution, the microbial column showed the enhanced long-term stability of in-situ precipitated metals when compared with the chemical column which showed immediate increase in dissolved As and Cu due to oxidative dissolution of the sulfides. Black precipitates formed in the microbial column during the experiments and were identified as iron sulfide and copper sulfide. Arsenic was observed to be adsorbed on surface of iron sulfide precipitate.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.77-85
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• 2010

This study was carried out to develop a process flow sheet for recovering valuables (gold and high purity silica) from the gold mine tailings containing 1.7 g/ton of gold and 79.48 wt.% $SiO_2$. Float-sink tests using heavy liquids was conducted to explore the possibility of recovering gold by gravity separation. Hydrocyclone, froth flotation, and triboelectrostatic separatoin tests were conducted to recover high purity silica from the gold mine tailings. The results of float-sink tests showed that particles containing 5.58 g/ton of gold could be obtained at 2.72 specific gravity, but with very low yields around 3%. Meanwhile, all tests with hydrocyclone, froth flotation, and triboelectrostatic separation showed that high purity silica with $SiO_2$ content over 90% could be obtained. The purity could be improved further up to about 94% by employing several recleaning steps in the froth flotation and triboelectrostatic process.

• 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.29 no.3
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• pp.395-405
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• 1996

The Donjin deposits which is located in the Chinan Basin, are emplaced along $N10{\sim}40^{\circ}E$ trending fissure sets. So it is a sort of fissure-filling ore deposits. The results of paragenetic studies suggest two stages of hydrothermal mineralization; stage I: base-metal sulfides stage, stage II: late base-metal sulfides, electrum and silver-bearing sulfosalts stage. Au: Ag ratios of the electrums show that Ag atomic% are higher than that of Au. The temperature and salinity of the Donjin deposits estimated from fluid inclusion and sulfur isotope geothermometry are as follows; stage I: $240{\sim}315^{\circ}C$, 2.4~7.1 NaCl eq. wt.%, stage II: $190{\sim}268^{\circ}C$, 4.6~8.4 NaCl eq. wt.%. The estimated oxygen and sulfur fugacity during first stage mineralization, based on phase relation of associated minerals, range from $10^{-35}{\sim}10^{-39.7}$ atm. and$10^{-11}{\sim}10^{-13.4}$ atm., respectively. All these evidences suggest that the Dongjin deposits are polymetallic meso-epithermal ore deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.289-300
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• 2009

The Geodo mine area, had been developed for Fe and Cu ores since 1963 and abandoned in recent decades, is located in the central part of the Taebaeksan mineralized district. This area comprises of the Jangsan, Myobong, Pungchon, Hwajeol, Dongjeom, and Dumugol Formations in ascending stratigraphic order. These Formations were intruded by the Cretaceous Eopyeong granitoids that appears to produce the Geodo skarn. Their compositions are relatively oxidized quartz monzodiorite to granodiorite (magnetite series, $Fe_2O_3/FeO=0.3{\sim}1.1$). Mineralizations related skarn deposit occur in the Myobong, Pungchon, and Hwajeol Formations. The proximal skarn is zoned from andraditic garnet ($Ad_{44-95}Gr_{1-53}$) predominant adjacent to the Eopyeong granitoids to diopsidic pyroxene ($Hd_{10-100}Di_{0-89}$) predominant away from the one. The differential proportion of garnet and pyroxene is generated by water/rock ratio and their source, such as magmatic and meteoric water. This is useful tool for assessment the overall oxidation state of the entire skarn system. Gold occurs in proximal red to brownish garnet skarn, and genetically associated with Bi- and Te-bearing minerals. Skarn deposit developed in the Geodo mine area is considered as oxidized Au skarn category, based on chemical composition of the Eopyeong granitoids, zonation of skarn, and gold occurrences. Garnet-rich skarn zone will be the main target for exploration of gold in the study area. However, it is needed to the detailed survey on vertical zonation of this area as well as lateral zonation. The result of this survey would provide an important basis for the exploration of the skarn Au deposit in the Geodo mine area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.571-577
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• 1995

Several acid-sulfate clay deposits associated with silicic magmas occur in the Haenam area of the southwestern part of Korea. Geology of the studied area consists of tuffs, granitic rocks, quartz porphyry, rhyolite, andesite and sedimentary rocks. The granitic rocks and quartz porphyry intruded tuffs and sedimentary rocks. The rhyolite and tuffs around the mines have undergone hydrothermally weak or strong alteration. Gold contents with major and trace elements have been determined for a total of sixty-seven specimens of fresh igneous rocks, wall rocks and minerals such as dickite and alunite by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma. Gold is enriched in the alunite vein and the silicified zone, but is depleted in dickites and hydrothermally altered rocks with dickite of the Seongsan deposit. Gold is especially concentrated near the faults or conjunction area of two faults. High content of gold is shown in the mineral assemblages of alunitequartz- pyrite in the alunite vein and silicic zone of the Seongsan deposit compared with that of minerals and rocks from another deposits distributed in the studied area. Gold content in tuffs and dickites with pyrite is generally low. Gold content in silicified tuff tends to show positive correlations with content of As, Hg and Sb. Variation trends of Cd, Hg and Sb are similar to those of gold content. From the result of gold content variations, gold may be transported and concentrated by mineralizing solutions ascending along the cracks like fault. Therefore, it is important to survey alunite vein and silicified zone at the conjunction of faults, and to analyze pathfinder elements such as As, Hg and Sb for geological and geochemical exploration of gold in the studied deposits.