• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.537-543
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• 2003

As pyrite is commonly associated with arsenopyrite, the use of pyrite including arsenopyrite for medicine requires close attention on arsenic toxicity. The toxicity was reduced by traditional processing operations include heating and quenching in vinegar. To verify the scientific effects of this process, pyrite containing many crystals of arsenopyrite was processed at temperatures from 45$0^{\circ}C$ to 85$0^{\circ}C$ and through as many as 5 processing cycles. Arsenopyrite completely disappeared when processed only once at $650^{\circ}C$ while it remained even after 5 processing cycles at 45$0^{\circ}C$. Arsenic was most abundant in medicinal mineral samples processed at 45$0^{\circ}C$ and sharply decreased when processed at $650^{\circ}C$ or 85$0^{\circ}C$ And arsenic extraction test in water was carried out from the processed pyrite medicine on the assumption that pyrite medicines with the lowest As metal content would be most desirable. Arsenic were most abundant in water extracted from medicinal mineral samples processed at 45$0^{\circ}C$ and sharply decreased when processed at $650^{\circ}C$ or 85$0^{\circ}C$. But the extracted As concentrations in water exceeded drinking water standards even when processed at 85$0^{\circ}C$. Increasing temperature promoted elimination of arsenopyrite and reduction of As in medicinal minerals and the extraction solutions. But the effects of processing cycles at the same processing temperature were not clear. Heating temperature is more important than number of processing cycles for the removal of arsenic, and it is necessary to heat pyrite to over $650^{\circ}C$ to remove it.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.199-218
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• 1986

Arsenopyrite in arsenic and polymetallic ores from calcic Fe-W skarn deposit of the Ulsan mine, Republic of Korea, has been investigated by means of electron microprobe analysis and X-ray diffractometry. As a result, it is revealed that the Ulsan arsenopyrite may be classified into the following three species with different generation on the basis of its mode of occurrence, chronological order during polymetallic mineralization and chemical composition; arsenopyrites I, II and III. 1) Arsenopyrite I-(Ni, Co)-bearing species belonging to the oldest generation, which has crystallized together with (Ni, Co)-arsenides and -sulpharsenides in the early stage of polymetallic mineralization. In rare cases, it contains a negligible amount of antimony. It occurs usually as discrete grains with irregular outline, showing rarely subhedral form, and is diffused in skarn zone. The maximum contents of nickel and cobalt are 10.04 Ni and 2.45 Co (in weight percent). Occasionally, it shows compositional zoning with narrow rim of lower (Ni+Co) content. 2) Arsenopyrite II-arsenian species, in which (Ni+Co) content is almost negligible, may occur widely in arsenic ores, and its crystallization has followed that of arsenopyrite I. It usually shows subhedral to euhedral form and is closely associated with $l{\ddot{o}}llingite$, bismuth, bismuthinite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, bismuthian tennantite, etc. It is worthy of note that arsenopyrite II occasionally contains particles consisting of both bismuth and bismuthinite. 3) Arsenopyrite III-(Ni, Co)-free, S-excess and As-deficient species is close to the stoichiometric composition, FeAsS. It occurs in late hydrothermal veins, which cut clearly the Fe-W ore pipe and the surrounding skarn zone. It shows euhedral to subhedral form, being extremely coarse-grained, and is closely associated with pyrite, "primary" monoclinic pyrrhotite, galena, sphalerite, etc. Among three species of the Ulsan arsenopyrite, arsenopyrite I does not serve as a geothermometer, because (Ni+Co) content always exceeds 1 weight percent. In spite of the absence of Fe-S minerals as sulphur-buffer assemblage, the presence of $Bi(l)-Bi_2S_3$ sulphur-buffer enables arsenopyrite II to apply successfully to the estimation of either temperature and sulphur fugacity, the results are, $T=460{\sim}470^{\circ}C$, and log $f(S_2)=-7.4{\sim}7.0$. With reference to arsenopyrite III, only arsenopyrite coexisting with pyrite and "primary" monoclinic pyrrhotite may serve to restrict the range of both temperature and sulphur fugacity, $T=320{\sim}440^{\circ}C$, log $f(S_2)=-9.0{\sim}7.0$. These temperature data are consistent with those obtained by fluid inclusion geothermometry on late grandite garnet somewhat earlier than arsenopyrite II. At the beginning of this paper, the geological environments of the ore formation at Ulsan are considered from regional and local geologic settings, and physicochemical conditions are suspected, in particular the formation pressure (lithostatic pressure) is assumed to be 0.5kb (50MPa). The present study on arsenopyrite geothermometry, however, does not bring about any contradictions against the above premises. Thus, the following genetical view on the Ulsan ore deposit previously advocated by two of the present authors (Choi and Imai) becomes more evident; the ore deposit was formed at shallow depth and relatively high-temperature with steep geothermal gradient-xenothermal conditions.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2003

The chemical composition of the arsenopyrite Ib adjoining“triple mutual contact”arsenopyrite + pyrite + hexagonal pyrrhotite may serve as a useful geothermometer in Stage II. In this study it corresponds to temperature T=33$0^{\circ}C$ and f( $S_2$)=10$^{-9.5}$ atm. And the pyrite-hexagonal pyrrhotite buffer curve indicates the probable range of the two variables; T= 315∼345$^{\circ}C$, and f( $S_2$)=10$^{-1}$0.5/∼10$^{-9}$ atm. The present antimony-bearing arsenopyrite (arsenopyrite Ic) is characterized by relatively high content of antimony, ranging from 4.95 to 8.91 percent Sb by weight and excess of iron and deficiency of anions are evident. Such a high antimonian arsenopyrite has never been known within single grain. But being the high content of antimony as in the arsenopyrite Ic, it does not serve as a geothermometer. The results of microprobe analyses for four pairs of asenopyrite and sphalerite in Stage III indicate the temperature range from 310 to 34$0^{\circ}C$, and sulphur fugacity range from 10$^{-10}$ ∼10$^{-9}$ atm. These values seem to correspond with those inferred from the Fe-As-S system.m..

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 1998

The gold-silver mineralizations in Korea are closely related to Jurassic Daebo igneous activity (121 and 183 Ma) and Cretaceous Bulgugsa igneous activity (60 and 110 Ma). A compilation and re-evaluation of chemical data in arsenopyrite suggest that the As contents vary, reflecting different genetic environments or mineral assemblages. The gold-silver vein deposits from various mineralized area were investigated using arsenopyrite geothermometer. Arsenopyrites from the Jurassic Au-dominant deposits are distinct by high As contents (29.68~33.46 atomic %) with narrow variations, equivalent to a temperature range of $370{\sim}450^{\circ}C$ and a sulfur fugacity of about $10^{18}-10^{-6}$ atm. On the contrary, arsenopyrites from the Cretaceous Au-Ag and Ag-dominant deposits show a wider range in atomic % As composition of 27.47-32.74. They may have formed at temperatures of $250{\sim}350^{\circ}C$ and about $f_{S_2}=10^{-12}-10^{-10}$ atm. The data of arsenopyrite geothermometer, electrum-sphalerite geothermometer, fluid inclusions, vein morphology and emplacement depth of igneous rocks indicate that the gold mineralizations of Group IIA occurred at temperatures between 300 and $500^{\circ}C$ at depth of several tens km or more (about 4-5 kbar), and the gold-silver deposits of Groups III, IV and V were formed at a temperature range of about $170{\sim}370^{\circ}C$ under the shallow environment (<1 kbar).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.191-201
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• 2002

The Gubong gold-silver deposits if gold-silver-bearing hydrothermal massive quartz veins which were filled the fractures along fault shear (NE, NW) zones within Precambrian banded or granitic gneiss of Gyeonggi massif. Ore mineralization of this deposits is contained within a single stage of quartz vein which was formed by multiple episodes of fracturing and healing. Ore minerals are comported mainly of arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena with minor amounts of pyrrhotite, marcasite and electrum. The frequency and volume percentages of electrum associated with ore minerals from this deposits are recognized as follows; 44.5% and 54.3% with arsenopyrite, 24.3% and 33.8% with quartz, 12.6% and 0.1% with pyrite, 11.0% and 4.8% with galena, 5.0% and 7.0% with sphalerite and 2.5% and 0.02% with chalcopyrite, respectively. They show irregular (41.6%), subround (34.7%), elongate (17.0%) and granular (6.6%) shapes, respectively. Their grain size ranges from 2 to 150 um, but 90.9 percent of the grains are below 30 um. The chemical composition of electrums ranges from 26.39 to 72.51 Au atomic %. These composition (Au atomic %) on the basis of associated minerals are from 44.97 to 71.75 with arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and quartz, from 44.37 to 72.51 with quartz, from 35.40 to 41.01 with sphalerite and chalcopyrite, from 26.39 to 54.84 with pyrite, chalcopyrite, quartz and galena, from 28.49 to 53.28 with galena, respectively. We suggest that optimum recovery of gold would be obtained with reference to these results.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-139
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• 2010

Behavior of heavy metals and arsenic in the tailings of Songcheon Au-Ag mine was characterized via both mineralogical and geochemical methods. Mineral composition of the tailings was investigated by X-ray diffractometry, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) and total concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic and their chemical forms were analyzed by total digestion of aqua regia and sequential extraction method, respectively. The results of mineralogical study indicate that the tailings included mineral particles of resinous shape mainly consisting of galena, sphalerite, pyrite, quartz, and scorodite, and specifically socordite was identified in the form of matrix. EPMA quantitative analyses were performed to evaluate the weatherability of each mineral, and the results suggest that it decreased in the sequence of arsenopyrite > galena > sphalerite > pyrite. The weathering pattern of galena was observed to show distinctive zonal structure consisting of secondary minerals such as anglesite and beudantite. In addition, almost all of arsenopyrite has been altered to scorodite existing asmatrix and galena, sphalerite, and pyrite which have lower weatherability than arsenopyrite were identified within the matrix of scorodite. During the process of alteration of arsenopyrite into scorodite, it is likely that a portion of arsenic was lixiviated and caused a great deal of detrimental effects to surrounding environment. The results of EPMA quantitative analyses verify that the stability of scorodite was relatively high and this stable scorodite has restrained the weathering of other primary minerals within tailings as a result of its coating of mineral surfaces. For this reason, Songcheon tailings show the characteristics of the first weathering stage, although they have been exposed to the surface environment for a long time. Based on the overall results of mineralogical and geochemical studies undertaken in this research, if the tailings are kept to be exposed to the surface environment and the weathering process is continuous, not only hazardous heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic seem to be significantly leached out because their larger portions are being partitioned in weakly-bound (highly-mobile) fractions, but the potential of arsenic leaching is likely to be high as the stability of scorodite is gradually decreased. Consequently, it is speculated that the environmental hazard of Songcheon mine is significantly high.

• 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.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.131-150
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• 1991

The Weolseong diatreme was temporally and spatially related to the intrusion of the Gadaeri granite, and was -mineralized by meteoric aqueous fluids. In the Nokdong As-Zn deposit, pyrite, aresenopyrite and sphalerite are the most abundant sulfide minerals. They are associated with minor amount of magnetite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and cassiterite, and trace amounts of Pb-Sb-Bi-Ag sulphosalts. The AsZn ore probably occurred at about $350^{\circ}C$ according to fluid inclusion and compositional data estimated from the arsenic content of arsenopyrite and iron content of sphalerite intergrown with pyrrhotite + chalcopyrite + cubanite. Heating studies of fluid inclusions in quartz indicate a temperature range between 180 and $360^{\circ}C$, and freezing data indicate a salinity range from 0.8 to 4.1 eq.wt % NaCl. The coexisting assemblage pyrite + pyrrhotite + arsenopyrite suggests that $H_2S$ was the dominate reduced sulfur species, and defines fluid parameter thus: $10^{-34.5}$ < ${\alpha}_{S_2}$ < $10^{-33}$, $10^{-11}$ < $f_{S_2}$ < $10^{-8}$, -2.4 < ${\alpha}_{S_2}$ < -1.6 atm and pH= 5.2 (sericte stable) at $300^{\circ}C$. The sulfur isotope values ranged from 1.8 to 5.5% and indicate that the sulfur in the sulfides is of magmatic in origin. The carbon isotope values range from -7.8 to -11.6%, and the oxygen isotope values from the carbonates in mineralized wall rock range from 2 to 11.4%. The oxygen isotope compositions of water coexisting with calcite require an input of meteoric water. The geochemical data indicate that the ore-forming fluid probably was generated by a variety of mechanisms, including deep circulation of meteoric water driven by magmatic heat, with possible input of magniatic water and ore component.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.189-195
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• 2007

Pirquitas mine was Bolivian type deposits, which Tertiary quartz andesites caused various epithermal quartz veins and deposited minerals of Sn and Ag in it. Main mineral was cassiterite and necessaries were pyrite, arsenopyrite, pynhotite, Probable ore reserve and daily production are 200 million tons and 5 thousand tons, respectively, and both of exploration and pit development are being carried simultaneously, but in near future open pit works can be done. This mine is owned by the Canadian company of "Silver Standard Resources" and it is located on $S22^{\circ}30'25.0",\;66^{\circ}15'22.5"$, 4086m S.L. In view of infrastructure, geological environment and scale of ore reserves it is high potential area for domestic mining companies to participate share ownership.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.307-323
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• 2018

The Inseong Au-Ag and base metal deposit, located in Chungchengbuk-do, Korea, consists of series of quartz veins filling fissures. The deposit occurs in Hwanggangri meta-sediment formation, a lime pebble-bearing phyllite, in the Okcheon Supergroup. Abundant ore minerals in the deposit are pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena. The gangue minerals are quartz, calcite and chlorite. Hydrothermal alteration such as chlorization, silicitication, sericitization and carbonitization can be observed around the quartz veins. 4 vein stages can be distinguished based on its paragenetic sequence, vein structure, alteration features and ore minerals. Microthermometry of the fluid inclusion assemblages occur in the veins are conducted to reconstruct a hydrothermal P-T evolution. Fluid inclusions in clean and barren quartz vein in stage 1 have Th of $270{\sim}342^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 1.7~6.4 (NaCl eqiv.) wt%. Euhedral quartz crystal in stage 2 have Th of $108{\sim}350^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 0.5~7.5 wt%. Barren milky quartz vein in stage 3 have Th of $174{\sim}380^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 0.8~7.5 wt%. Calcite vein in stage 4 have Th of $103{\sim}265^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 0.7~6.4 wt%. Calculated paleodepth about 0.5~1.5 km (hydrostatic pressure) indicate epithermal ore-forming condition. Shallow depth but relatively high-T hydrothermal fluids possibly create a steep geothermal gradient, sufficient for base metal precipitation in the Inseong deposit.