• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.289-309
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• 1993

Milyang pyrophyllite deposit which was formed by hydrothermal alteration occurs in Late Cretaceous andesitic tuff in the Milyang area, Gyeongsangnamdo. The wall rock alteration and genesis of the Milyang pyrophyllite deposit were studied. The ore minerals are composed dominantly of pyrophyllite accompanied by small amounts of quartz, kaolinite, pyrite, dumortierite and diaspore. The alteration halo of this deposit can be divided into three zones on the basis of mineral assemblage; pyrophyllite, sericite and chlorite zone. The common mineral assemblages of each alteration zone are as follows: (1) pyrophyllite zone; pyrophyllite-quartz-kaolinite-pyrite-dumortierite-diaspore, (2) sericite zone; sericite-quartz-pyrite-kaolinite, and (3) chlorite zone; chlorite-plagioclase-quartz. Major element chemistry shows that characteristic depletion in MgO, CaO, and $Na_2O$ and relative increase in FeO from less altered chlorite zone to extensively altered pyrophyllite zone corresponding to variation in mineral assemblages. The paragenesis of ore minerals, oxygen isotope data, chlorite and illite geothermometry suggest that ore deposit was formed at about $250{\sim}330^{\circ}C$. Both hydrogen and silica activities are high in pyrophyllite zone. Potassium activity increases in sericite zone while hydrogen activity becomes low in chlorite zone. The pyrophyllite zone was formed relatively higher temperature than those of sericite and chlorite zones. The ore fluid was considered to be magmatic water in origin derived from the residual granitic magma which interacted with meteoric water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 1991

Haenam pyrophyllite deposit occurred in the rhyolitic tuff of late Cretaceous age is located in the northern part of Haenam-gun, Jeonranam-do. The ore of the Haenam deposit is predominantly composed of pyrophyllite and illite accompanying such clay minerals as kaolinite, chlorite, and smectite. Pyrophyllite ore at the center of altered mass is often associated with kaolin minerals and high temperature minerals such as corundum, andalusite, and diaspore. On the basis of mineral assemblage the Haenam deposit can be devided into three alteration zones from the center to the margin of the deposit; the pyrophyllite zone, kaolinite zone, and illite zone. All alteration zones are associated with appreciable amounts of chalcedonic quartz. Those mineral assemblages indicate that hydrothermal solution which produced the Haenam deposit is strongly acidic solution with high silica and hydrogen activity and low $SO_4{^{2-}}$ activity. Discriminant analysis shows that $Na_2O$, $K_2O$, and $Al_2O$, of major elements are discriminant elements which classify alteration zones, while in case of trace elements Cr, Ni, and Sr turned out to be discriminant elements in this deposit. According to the mineral assemblage and illite geothermometry, pyrophyllite ore is considered to have been formed at about $240-290^{\circ}C$. K-Ar isotopic age for illite from this deposit indicates that it was formed at much the same age of later stage volcanics in the area, suggesting that the hydrothermal alteration of these deposits is associated with later volcanism of the area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 1992

Mineral assemblages, mineral chemistries and stable isotope compositions of altered rocks of the Ogmae, Seongsan, Haenam and Gusi mines near the Haenam volcanic field in the southwestern part of the Korea peninsula were studied. Characteristic hydrothermal alteration zones in these deposits occurring in the Cretaceous volcanics and volcanogenic sediments, acidic tuff, and rhyolite, were outlined. Genetic environment with particular reference to the spatial and temporal relationships for these deposits were considered. The alteration zones defined by a mineral assemblage in the Ogmae and Seongsan deposits can be classified as alunite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite or dickite, quartz, illite or illite/smectite. Alunite was not developed in the Gusi and Haenam deposits. Boundaries between the adjacent zones are always gradational except for vein-type alunite. Alteration zones are superimposed upon each other in some localities. These deposits formed $71.8{\pm}2.8{\sim}76.6{\pm}2.9$ Ma ago, which is the almost same age of later volcanic rocks $79.4{\pm}1.7{\sim}82.8{\pm}1.2$ Ma, the Haenam Group, corresponding to Campanian. It indicates that hydrothermal alteration of these deposits appeared to be related to felsic volcanism in the area. Consideration of the stability between kaolinite, alunite, pyrite and pyrophyllite, and the geothermometry based on the mineral chemistry of illite and chlorite suggests that the maximum formation temperature for alunite and pyrophyllite can be estimated at about $250^{\circ}C$ and $240{\sim}290^{\circ}C$, respectively. It also suggests that these deposits were formed by acidic sulfate solution with high aqueous silica and potassium activity in a shallow depth environment. Compositional variation of alunite also suggests that the physico-chemical conditions fluctulated considerably during alteration processes, indicating shallow depth environment. The Haenam deposit was formed at a relatively greater depth than the others. The sulfur isotope composition of alunite and pyrite indicates that sulfur probably had a magmatic source, and the oxygen isotope composition for kaolinite indicates that the magmatic hydrothermal solution was diluted by circulating meteoric water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.455-464
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• 1993

Some nodules occur in the Milyang pyrophyllite deposit which are hydrothermal alteration products by Late Cretaceous andesitic tuff. These nodules are divided into two types on the basis of mineral assemblages; diaspore and pyrophyllite nodules. The diaspore nodules consist mainly of diaspore, kaolinite, pyrophyllite and pyrite with a small amounts of wavellite and tourmaline. They are light purplish grey in color, ellipsoid in shape and range 1 cm to 15 cm in size. A small or large diffuse band exists in some nodules. The platy coarse-grained diaspore is intergrown with the fine-aggregated kaolinite in the central part of the nodule. It appears that the grain size become fine from center to margin. The pyrophyllite nodules, which have the same shape with diaspore nodules, consist dominantly of pyrophyllite accompanied by small amounts of quartz, kaolinite, svanbergite, wavellite, tourmaline and apatite. Chemical compositions of alteration zones and nodules show that the wall rock alteration involved mainly the removal of large quantities of silica and alkalies and small quantities of Ca, Mg and Fe. The sharp increase in the Al content of the nodules is the result of residual concentration of alumina by the leaching of the mobile components. The pyrophyllite nodules were formed in the fluid saturated with quartz as ${\mu}_{HK_{-1}}$ and ${\mu}_{H_{2}O}$ increase. Under this condition, the pyrophyllite-kaolinite-quartz assemblage was stable. Diaspores formed from pyrophyllites in the fluid undersaturated with quartz as ${\mu}_{H_{2}O}$ increases (decreasing temperature). Under this condition, diaspore-pyrophyllite-kaolinite assemblage become stable. The formation temperature of the nodules on the basis of mineral assemblage is estimated as $275{\sim}340^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.265-278
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• 2011

Clayey ores of the Jeonnam province mainly consist of pyrophyllite (monoclinic), kaolinite (1T), and minor amounts of quartz, muscovite, and feldspars. Mineralogical studies revealed that two kinds of clay minerals were mainly produced from the volcanic sediments with similar ages and compositions. Kaolinite deposits sometimes contain neither diaspore nor corundum, but alunites are often found in the upper portions of the kaolin ore bodies. On the other hand, corundum and diaspore are commoner in the pyrophyllite deposits than the kaolin deposits. As ages of rock formations are becoming younger, amounts of pyrophyllite and kaolinite are rather radically decreased, and finally disappeared. But muscovite, quartz, and plagioclase feldspars are inclined to be preserved because of weak alteration. Most of clay ore bodies contain purple tuff beds on the uppermost portion, and silicified beds, tuff, and lapillistone are found in an ascending order in the most of clay quarries. Chemical analyses show that higher contents of $Al_2O_3$ might not necessarily be due to the argillization, since some tuffs contain higher $Al_2O_3$ contents originated from feldspars. $SiO_2$ contents are fairly higher in the silicified beds than in those of adjacent formations, which might have been introduced from the ore bodies. And $K_2O$ contents are obviously lower than those of $Na_2O$ and CaO in the ores and their vicinities. Ignition losses of some of clays represent much higher contents than those of the ordinary ones because of the sporadic presence of alunite, diaspore and corundum which are accompanied with lots of $SO_4$ and $Al_2O_3$ contents. REE (rare earth element) abundances of most of volcanics and clay ores show rather higher LREE (light rare earth elements) contents, and represent small to moderately negative Eu anomalies. Though most of ores ususally show milky white color, fine-grained and well bedded formations which could be easily discernible in the most of outcrop. But more distinct characteristics are desirable where rather massive ore bodies exist. Purple tuffs and silicified beds above the ore bodies would be useful as marker horizons/key beds since they have rather obvious lithology, extension and mineralogy than those of other adjacent formations.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.13-24
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• 2004

This study was carried out to plan the prevention of the generation and discharge of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD). The Acid Base Accounting(ABA) test was performed for geological materials such as pit wall, waste rock and stream sediments near the Imgi abandoned pyrophyllite mine in Busan, Korea. In addition, hydraulic characteristics were tested with the disk tension infiltrometer around the waste rock dump. Maximum Potential Acidity(MPA) of geological materials near the Imgi mine was 246.942kg $H_2SO_4/t$, and maximum Acid Neutralising Capacity(ANC) was 8.7kg $H_2SO_4/t$. These results indicate the pit wall and waste rock, except most of stream sediments are acid generating geological materials. These have salt and free hydrogen ion which resulted from oxidation of sulfides. Hence they could be convert rain water to acid rock drainage. Although the waste rock dump of the Imgi mine have very low infiltration rate, slopes of the waste rock dump have many "V" type erosion gullies and multi-layers. These gullies and multi-layers have coarse clastic particle layers which have very large hydraulic conductivity. Through this coarse clastic particle layer a large part of rain flow into ground. And also this layer could function as aeration path which induced oxidation of sulfide minerals and generation of ARD continuously.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.337-347
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• 1993

Mineralogical and geochemical studies on some pyrophyllite deposits in Milyang area, Kyeongnam Province (Milyang and Sungjin mine) were carried out in order to investigate dispersion patterns of chemical elements in altered volcanic wallrocks, and to interpret genetic environments of the pyrophyllite deposits. Cretaceous andesitic and tuffaceous rocks, and pyrophyllite ore specimens were collected from the dumps and drilling cores. Andesitic wallrocks were grouped as unaltered and altered rocks in the order of pyrophyllitization. Vertical dispersion patterns and relative mobilities of chemical elements in volcanic wallrocks were discussed. Geochemical environment in the Milyang area is characterized by the occurrence of boron minerals such as dumortierite coexisting with pyrophyllite ores, and tourmaline in granitic rocks. Unaltered andesitic rocks are mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and hornblende, and were propylitized and saussuritized. Altered andesitic rocks are bleached and consist of quartz, sericite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite, chlorite and disseminated pyrite. Pyrophyllite ores are mainly composed of quartz, pyrophyllite, dumortierite, dissemianted pyrite and some diaspore. Enrichment of $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, LOI (loss on ignition), As and Cr, and depletion of $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO and total Fe are characteristic during alteration process. The REE patterns show that the pyrophyllite deposits could be originated from the continental margin volcanics. The $(La/Lu)_{cn}$ ratios of the pyrophyllite ores increase from 4.2~23.2 to 2.67~128.8 owing to strong acidic hydrothermal alteration. Vertical dispersion patterns of $Al_2O_3$, $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO, $Fe_2O_3$ (total Fe), As, Au, Sb, Cr and Sr in the wallrocks show the location of orebodies. Particularly dispersion patterns of $Al_2O_3$ and Cr indicate the extension of orebodies. Anomalous distribution of Au, As and Sb in wallrocks shows potential for gold occurrence below the pyrophyllite deposits. Judging from the relative mobilities of elements in wallrocks, $Al_2O_3$ could be added from hydrothermal solution, and the silicified rone be formed from the excess of $SiO_2$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 1996

The ores of the Bobae mine are mainly composed of sericite and quartz, and with appreciable amount of some other minerals such as andalusite. pyrophyllite, and albite, etc.. Sericite occurs in various a1teration zones having different crystal size and habit. Sericites can be c1assified into two types based on the crystal size; fine-grained and coarse-grained sericite. Fine-grained sericite occurs as an aggregate. Mineralogical characterizations of both types of sericites have been studied with various methods. Lattice parameters of two types of sericites occurred in various alteration zones are almost identical. but b parameter of coarse-grained sericite appears to be slight1y bigger than that of fine-grained aggregates. Average structural formula of fine- and coarse-grained sericite is $K_{1.44}Al_{3.86}(Si_{6.35}Al_{1.65})O_{20}(OH)_4$ and $K_{1.71}Al_{3.82}(Si_{6.20}Al_{1.80})O_{20}(OH)_4$, respectively. Structural formulae of coarse-grained sericites are close to that of muscovite. Infrared spectra show that there is slight distinction between sericites occurred in andalusite-pyrophyllite zone and other subzones. IR spectra of sericites due to Si-O vibration ($540{\sim}530cm^{-1}$) tend to shift to smaller wavenumber side from center to outer alteration zone. All samples have litt1e or no interstratified minerals. and this is demonstrated by Ir and DTA-TG results. It indicates that the Bobae mine is formed at relatively high temperature. That the ratio of quartz to sericite in ores varies greatly indicates that several discontinuous hydrothermal alteration processes have been involved.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 1991

Oxygen and sulfur isotope composition of pyrophyllite and pyrite from six pyrophyllite deposits in the Yangsan-Milyang areas (the Cheonbulsan, Dumyong, Dongrae, Youkwang, Sungjin and Milyang mines), and five deposits in the Whasoon-Dado-Haenam areas (the Byuksong, Songseok, Dado, Bugock and Nowha mines) were measured. Pyrophyllite ores both from the Yangsan-Milyang areas and the Dado-Haenam areas are composed mainly of high alumina minerals such as pyrophyllite, sericite and kaolinite. Most of altered rocks show diagnostic chacteristics of bleaching effect. Major minerals of the Songseok ore deposit in the Whasoon area are pyrophyllite, and diaspore with minor amounts of kaolinite and quartz. The Byuksong ores from the Whasoon area were composed mainly of andalusite, kaolinite, pyrophyllite and mica with small amounts of chloritoid, quartz and carbonaceous matter. The Byuksong and Songseok ores show metamorphic textures such as porphyroblastic, and pressure solution textures, and have low whiteness values, The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of pyrophyllite from the Cheonbulsan and Dumyong mines in the Yangsan area, and the Dado and Nowha mines in the Dado-Haenam areas were in the range of 0.23~5.36%,. The relatively low 8 180 values provide conclusive evidence for hydrothermal activity in these deposits. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of pvrophvllite from the Songseok mine in the Whasoon area were measured as 6.70-8.13%, and these higher ${\delta}^{18}O$ values suggest that the Songseok ore deposit have been probably subjected to metamorphism. ${\delta}^{34}$S(pyrito) values from the Cheonbulsan, Dumyong, Youkwang, Dongrae, Sungjin and Milyang deposits in the Yangsan-Milyang areas, and the Dado pyrophyllite deposits in the Dado area range from -5.8 to 2.7%, which means that the pyrite sulfur could be of igneous origin. ${\delta}^{34}$S(pyrito) from the Nohwa mine in the Haenam area is, however, measured as -12.4%" implying the contamination of sulfur derived from the sedimentary country rocks. All of the studied high alumina deposits in the Yangsan-Milyang areas and the Dado-Haenam areas were hydrothermal in origin, whereas the Byuksong and Songseok ore deposits in the Whasoon area were probably of metamorphic origin.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 1992

Several pyrophyllite deposits occur around the Milyang area where Cretaceous andesitic rocks and spatially related granitic rocks are widely distributed. Pyrophyllite ores consist mainly of pyrophyllite, and quartz with small amount of sericite, pyrite, dumortierite, and diaspore. The andesitic rocks and spatially related granitic rocks in this area suggest that they could be formed from the same series of a calc-alkaline magma series. The contents of $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, LOI(loss on ignition) are enriched, and $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO, $Fe_2O_3$ are depleted in altered andesitic rocks and ores. Enrichment of As, Cr, Sr, V, Sb and depletion of Ba, Cs, Ni, Rb, U, Y, Co, Sc, Zn are characteristic during mineralization. The pyrophyllite ores can be discriminated from the altered-and unaltered wall-rocks by an increasing of $(La/Lu)_{cn}$ from 4.18~22.13 to 8.98~55.05. In R-mode cluster analysis, Yb-Lu-Y, La-Ce-Hf-Th-U-Zr, $TiO_2-V-Al_2O_3$, Sm-Eu, $CaO-Na_2O-MnO$, Cu-Zn-Ag, $K_2O-Rb$ are closely correlated. In the discriminant analysis of multi-element data, $P_2O_5$, As, Cr and $Fe_2O_3$, Sr are helpful to identify the ores from the unaltered-and altered wall-rocks. In the factor analysis, the factors of alteration of andesitic rocks and ore mineralization were extracted. In the change of ions per unit volume, $SiO_2$, $Al^{3+}$ and LOI are enriched and $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ are depleted during the alteration processes. The Milyang and the Sungjin pyrophyllite deposits could be mineralized by hydrothermal alteration in a geochemical condition of low activity ratio of alkaline ions to hydrogen ion with reference to spatially related granitic rocks.