• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.180-189
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• 2013

Geophysical exploration is widely used to develop strategic mineral resources in the world because of its efficient method in detecting mineralized zones in the metallic ore deposit. It is important to understand the physical properties of the stratum so that geophysical data can be more accurately interpreted. This paper is to comprehend physical properties of the rock at the Gagok mine, a typical skarn deposit in Korea. Thus, laboratory tests were conducted on specimens of ore and host rocks which were collected from rock outcrops and drill cores at the Gagok mine. Using the measurement system of rock physical property, we investigated the density, magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, and spectral induced polarization. According to the results, all physical properties of specimens had wide differences depending on contents of ore minerals, which are formed by skarnization. Especially, using the chargeability and time constant from the calculated spectral induced polarization data by the Cole-Cole inversion, we could estimate the volume contents as well as the grain size of the sulfide minerals. Therefore, the spectral induced polarization technique may be considered a useful method when exploring metallic ore deposit with sulfide minerals.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.325-340
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• 2017

The Seongdo Pb-Zn deposit, located in the northwestern part of the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt, consists of skarn ore replacing limestone within the Hwajeonri Formation of Ogcheon Group and hydrothermal vein ore filling the fracture of host rock. Skarn minerals comprise mostly hedenbergitic pyroxene, garnet displaying oscillatory zonal texture composed of grossular and andradite, and a small amount of wollastonite, tremolite, and epidote, indicating reducing condition of formation. Ore minerals of skarn ore include sphalerite and galena with a small amount of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite. In hydrothermal vein ore, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite occur with a small amount of galena, native Bi, and stannite. Chemical compositions of sphalerite vary from 17.4 mole% FeS in average for dark grey sphalerite, 3.6 mole% for reddish brown sphalerite in skarn ore, and to 10.3 mole% FeS in hydrothermal vein ore. In comparison with representative metallic deposits in South Korea on the FeS-MnS-CdS diagram, skarn and hydrothermal vein ore plot close to the field of Pb-Zn deposits and Au-Ag deposits, respectively. Arsenic contents of arsenopyrite in hydrothermal vein ore decrease from 31.93~33.00 at.% in early stage to 29.58~30.21 at.% in middle stage, and their corresponding mineralizing temperature and sulfur fugacity are $441{\sim}490^{\circ}C$, $10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-4.5}atm$. and $330{\sim}364^{\circ}C$, <$10^{-8}atm$. respectively. Phase equilibrium temperatures calculated from Fe and Zn contents for coexisting sphalerite and stannite in hydrothermal vein are $236{\sim}254^{\circ}C$. Sulfur isotope compositions are 5.4~7.2‰ for skarn ore and 5.4~8.4‰ for hydrothermal vein ore, being similar or slightly higher to magmatic sulfur, suggesting that ore sulfur was mostly of magmatic origin with partial derivation from host rocks. However, much higher sulfur isotope equilibrium temperatures of $549^{\circ}C$와 $487^{\circ}C$, respectively for skarn ore and hydrothermal ore, than those estimated from phase equilibria imply that isotopic equilibrium has not been fully established.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.413-428
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• 2010

The Gukjeon Pb-Zn mine was recognized as skarn deposits which replaced the limestone layer of the Jeongkansan Formation by intrusion of biotite granite in late Cretaceous. The Jeongkansan Formation is mainly composed of tuffaceous shale, and interlayers of sandstone, andesitic tuff, limestone, and conglomerate. The limestone layer is located in the lower part of the Jeongkansan Formation with 6~8 m in thickness and about 500 m in length. The Gukjeon deposits are divided into the Jukgang ore bodies once mined underground and the eastern ore bodies. Main ores are sphalerite and galena, in association with small amounts of chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite, etc. Skarns mainly consist of clinopyroxenes and Ca-garnets, associated with actinolite, chlorite, axinite, and calcite, etc. The Jukgang ore bodies show symmetrical distribution of zoning outward, representing clinopyroxene (hedenbergite) zone, clinopyroxene-garnet (grossular) zone, garnet (andradite) zone, and alteration zone of hornfels. $Fe^{2+}$ contents in clinopyroxenes increase with decreasing sphalerite grade. Sphalerite ores are found in all zones and $Fe^{2+}$ contents in sphalerite increase in the same way as those in clinopyroxenes, implying that clinopyroxene and sphalerite are closely related each other. It is concluded that the Gukjeon ores occurred in the ore rich zone of high grade sphalerite with less pyrite in assoication with clinopyroxene.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.363-379
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• 2014

The Haenam Pb-Zn skarn deposit is located at the Hwawon peninsula in the southwestern part of the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt. The deposit is developed along the contact between limestone of the Ogcheon group and Cretaceous quartz porphyry. Petrography of ore samples, chemical composition of skarn and ore minerals, and geochemistry of the related igneous rocks were investigated to understand the characteristics of the skarn mineralization. Skarn zonation consists of garnet${\pm}$pyroxene${\pm}$calcite${\pm}$quartz zone, pyroxene+garnet+quartz${\pm}$calcite zone, calcite+pyroxene${\pm}$garnet zone, quartz+calcite${\pm}$pyroxene zone, and calcite${\pm}$chlorite zone in succession toward carbonate rock. Garnet commonly shows zonal texture comprised of andradite and grossular. Pyroxene varies from Mn-hedenbergite to diopside as away from the intrusive rock. Chalcopyrite occurs as major ore mineral near the intrusive rock, and sphalerite and galena tend to increase as going away. Electron probe microanalyses revealed that FeS contents of sphalerite become decreased from 5.17 mole % for garnet${\pm}$pyroxene${\pm}$calcite${\pm}$quartz zone to 2.93 mole %, and to 0.40 mole % for calcite+pyroxene${\pm}$garnet zone, gradually. Ag and Bi contents also decreased from 0.72 wt.% and 1.62 wt.% to <0.01 wt.% and 0.11 wt.%, respectively. Thus, the Haenam deposit shows systematic variation of species and chemical compositions of ore minerals with skarn zoned texture. The related intrusive rock, quartz porphyry, expresses more differentiated characteristics than Zn-skarn deposit of Meinert(1995), and has relatively high$SiO_2$ concentration of 72.76~75.38 wt.% and shows geochemical features classified as calc-alkaline, peraluminous igneous rock and volcanic arc tectonic setting.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.317-333
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• 2014

The Pocheon iron (-copper) deposit, located at the northwestern part of the Precambrian Gyeonggi massif in South Korea, genetically remains controversial. Previous researchers advocated a metamorphosed (-exhalative) sedimentary origin for iron enrichment. In this study, we present strong evidences for skarnification and Fe mineralization, spatially associated with the Myeongseongsan granite. The Pocheon deposit is composed of diverse carbonate rocks such as dolostone and limestone which are partially overprinted by various hydrothermal skarns such as sodic-calcic, calcic and magnesian skarn. Iron (-copper) mineralization occurs mainly in the sodic-calcic skarn zone, locally superimposed by copper mineralization during retrograde stage of skarn. Age data determined on phlogopites from retrograde skarn stage by Ar-Ar and K-Ar methods range from $110.3{\pm}1.0Ma$ to $108.3{\pm}2.8Ma$, showing that skarn iron mineralization in the Pocheon is closely related to the shallow-depth Myeongseongsan granite (ca. 112 Ma). Carbon-oxygen isotopic depletions of carbonates in marbles, diverse skarns, and veins can be explained by decarbonation and interaction with an infiltrating hydrothermal fluids in open system ($XCO_2=0.1$). The results of sulfur isotope analyses indicate that both of sulfide (chalcopyrite-pyrite composite) and anhydrites in skarn have very high sulfur isotope values, suggesting the $^{34}S$ enrichment of the Pocheon sulfide and sulfate sulfur was derived from sulfate in the carbonate protolith. Shear zones with fractures in the Pocheon area channeled the saline, high $fO_2$ hydrothermal fluids, resulting in locally developed intense skarn alteration at temperature range of about $500^{\circ}$ to $400^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.477-490
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• 2010

The Gagok stratabound skarn deposit is the result of the intrusion of the Cretaceous granitic pluton into the Paleozoic calcareous rocks. The subvolcanic intrusion ranges in composition from quartz monzonite to granite porphyry with I-type, calc-alkaline and weakly peraluminous characteristics. Both endoskarn and exoskarn are developed at the Gagok Zn-(Pb) deposit, with more exoskarn than endoskarn. Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics in the Seongok and Wolgok orebodies can be treated in terms of self-organization. Sphalerites in the Gagok ore can also incorporate minor amounts of Mn, Cd, Cu and In. Trace element concentrations in different orebodies vary because fractionation of a given element into sphalerite is influenced by formation temperature and the amount of sphalerite in the ore. A group of high In/Zn and Cd/Zn ratios in ores, and low Mn/Fe ratios in sphalerites are correlated with proximal processes of a magmatic source. The pattern of minor/trace element variations in ores and sphalcrites can be used for petrogenetic interprctation, e.g., orebody zonation related to crystallization temperature and fluid d sources.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2004

Metallic deposits in Korea have a variety of genetic types such as hydrothermal veins, skarns, hydrothermal replacement and alaskite deposits and so on. Geological, mineralogical and geochemical features including host rock, wall-rock alteration, ore and gangue mineralogy, mineral texture and secondary mineralogy related to weathering process control the environmental signatures of mining areas. The environmental signatures of metallic deposits closed from early 1970s to late 1990s in Korea show complicate geochemistry and mineralogy due to step weathering of primary and secondary minerals such as oxidation-precipitation-remobilization. The potentiality of low pH and high heavy metal Concentration s from acid mine drainage is great in base-metal deposits associated with polymetallic mineralization, breccia-pipe type and Cretaceous hydrothermal Au veins with the amount of pyrite whereas skam, hydrothermal replacement, hydrothermal Cu and Au-Ag vein deposits are in low contamination possibility. The geoenvironmental models reflecting the various geologic features closely relate to disuibution of sulfides and carbonates and their ratios and finally effect on characteristics of environmental signatures such as heavy metal species and their concentrations in acid mine drainage.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.161-163
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• 2007

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.335-349
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• 2014

The Pocheon skarn deposit, located at the northwestern part of the Precambrian Gyeonggi massif in South Korea, occurs at the contact between the Cretaceous Myeongseongsan granite and the Precambrian carbonate rocks, and is also controlled by N-S-trending shear zone. The skarn distribution and mineralogy reflects both structural and lithological controls. Three types of skarn formations based on mineral assemblages in the Pocheon skarn exist; a sodiccalcic skarn and a magnesian skarn mainly developed in the dolostone, and a calcic skarn developed in the limestone. Iron mineralization occurs in the sodic-calcic and magnesian skarn zone, locally superimposed by copper mineralization during retrograde skarn stage. The sodic-calcic skarn is composed of acmite, diopside, albite, garnet, magnetite, maghemite, anhydrite, apatite, and sphene. Retrograde alteration consists of tremolite, phlogopite, epidote, sericite, gypum, chlorite, quartz, calcite, and sulfides. Magnesian skarn mainly consists of diopside and forsterite. Pyroxene and olivine are mainly altered to tremolite, with minor phlogopite, talc, and serpentine. The calcic skarn during prograde stage mainly consists of garnet, pyroxene and wollastonite. Retrograde alteration consists of epidote, vesuvianite, amphibole, biotite, magnetite, chlorite, quartz, calcite, and sulfides. Microprobe analyses indicate that the majority of the Pocheon skarn minerals are enriched by Na-Mg composition and have high $Fe^{3+}/Fe^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}/Fe^{2+}$, and $Al^{3+}/Fe^{2+}$ ratios. Clinopyroxene is acmitic and diopsidic composition, whereas garnet is relatively grossular-rich. Amphiboles are largely of tremolite, pargasite, and magnesian hastingsite composition. The prograde anhydrous skarn assemblages formed at about $400^{\circ}{\sim}500^{\circ}C$ in a highly oxidized environment ($fO_2=10^{-23}{\sim}10^{-26}$) under a condition of about 0.5 kbar pressure and $X(CO_2)=0.10$. With increasing fluid/rock interaction during retrograde skarn, epidote, amphibole, sulfides and calcite formed as temperature decreased to approximately $250^{\circ}{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ at $X(CO_2)=0.10$.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.87-101
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• 2018

The Manjang deposit developed in the Hwajeonri formation of the Okcheon metamorphic belt consists of the Central and Main orebodies of Cu-bearing hydrothermal vein type and the Western orebody of Fe-skarn type. This study focuses on the Cu mineralization of the Central and Main orebodies to compare with the genetic environments of the Western orebody previously studied. The Central orebody produced pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite as major ore minerals with vein texture, while the Main orebody contains pyrite, arsenopyrite, and chalcopyrite as major ore minerals with vein, massive, and brecciated texture. Sphalerite, galena, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, cassiterite, wolframite, and stannite are also accompanied. Local occurrence of skarn is dominated by grossular and hedenbergite, reflecting the reduced condition of the skarnization. Geothermometries of sphalerite-stannite in the Central orebody and arsenopyrite-pyrite in the Main orebody indicate the formation temperature of $204-263^{\circ}C$ and $383-415^{\circ}C$, respectively. Sulfur fugacity of $10^{-6}-10^{-7}atm$. in the Main orebody decreased toward the Central orebody. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfide minerals from the Central and Main orebodies are 4.6-7.9‰ and 4.3-7.0‰, respectively, reflecting magmatic origin with slight influence by host rock. Considering ore mineralogy, texture as well as physicochemical conditions, the Main and Central orebodies of hydrothermal Cu mineralization reflect the characteristics of proximal and distal type ore mineralization, respectively, related to hidden igneous rocks, and they were generated under different hydrothermal systems from the Fe-skarn Western orebody.