• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.463-472
• /
• 1998

The survey was carried out in order to delineate the occurrence of ore deposits and the mineralized characteristics in the Estancia de la Virgen area through the 1:2,000 scaled geological mapping and topographic measuring surveys. Gold-silver mineralization is in the fault block developed between the San Agustin Fault and Cabanas Fault. It is associated with ore bearing quartz veins controlled by the fault structure. The contents of Au and Ag range from traces up to 72 g/t and 180 g/t respectively. According to traversing the outcrops, the quartz veins are traced by 0.5 Km trended to north and south. In those extended part, they continue for 1,000 m intermittently. Gold-silver mineralization could be divided into three stages. In the first stage, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite were formed with the primary silver and gold associated with galena and copper sulfides respectively. In the second stage, Cu-Bi-Au-Ag bearing sulfides such as chalcocite, covellite, and linarite are formed and usually deposited on the cataclastic fractures of galena and/or chalcopyrite. In the third stage, both the carbonation of galena and sphalerite and the sulphatization of galena, took place in the surface environment. And then primary silver was carried away off and was deposited on galena and/or copper sulfides during oxidation near the water table. Low partitionings of Fe in sphalerite assist that the minerals were formed at the relatively low temperature, which is coincided with previously reported homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 1991

Two solid solution-type phases has been experimentally found in the quaternary system Cu-Fe-Sn-S:$(Fe, Cu, Sn)_{1+x}$ and $Cu_{2-x}Fe_(1+x}SnS_4$. These solid solutions are stable around the CuS-FeS-SnS referecne plane in the composition tetrahedron. One is the sphalerite-type monosulfide solid solution which has a extensive stability range with varying degrees of sulfur/metal ratio 9.7-1.0/1.0. The other is tetrahedrite-type phase $Cu_{2-y)Fe_{1+y}SnS_4(y_{max}=0.4)$ which is stable along the $Cu_2FeSnS_4-FeS$ tie line, but shows no phase transformation in the subsolidus range and decomposes incongruently at the range of 835-862${\circ}C$, depending on the compositional variation. Particularly, the latter phase shows the characteristic superstructure reflections, indicating that it is a derivative of sphalerite structure. The stability field of these two sphalerite-type phases are defined on the basis of diffraction pattern and optical homogeneity of the synthetic materials at the temperature range of 700-400${\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.505-517
• /
• 1997

Lead and zinc mineralization of the Kwangsin mine was formed in quartz and carbonate veins that filled fault-related fractures in the limestone-rich Samtaesan Formation of the Chosun Supergroup and the phyllite-rich Suchangni Formation of unknown age. A K-Ar date of alteration sericite indicates that the Pb-Zn mineralization took place during Late Cretaceous (83.5 Ma), genetically in relation to the cooling of the nearby Muamsa Granite (83~87 Ma). Mineral paragenesis can be divided into three stages (I, II, III): (I) the deposition of barren massive white quartz, (II) the main Pb-Zn mineralization with deposition of white crystalline quartz and/or carbonates (rhodochrosite and dolomite), and (III) the deposition of post-ore barren calcite. Mineralogic and fluid inclusion data indicate that lead-zinc minerals in middle stage II (IIb) were deposited at temperatures between $182^{\circ}$ and $276^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities of 2.7 to 5.4 wt. % equiv. NaCl and with log $fs_2$ values of -15.5 to -11.8 atm. The relationship between homogenization temperature and salinity data indicates that lead-zinc deposition was a result of fluid boiling and later meteoric water mixing. Ore mineralization occurred at depths of about 600 to 700 m. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfide minerals (${\delta}^{34}S_{CDT}=9.0{\sim}14.5$ ‰) indicate a relatively high ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$ value of ore fluids (up to 14 ‰), likely indicating an igneous source of sulfur largely mixed with an isotopically heavier sulfur source (possibly sulfates in surrounding sedimentary rocks). There is a remarkable decrease of calculated ${\delta}^{18}O$ value of water in hydrothermal fluids with increasing paragenetic time: stage I, 14.6~10.1 ‰; stage IIa, 5.8~2.2 ‰; stage IIb, 0.8~2.0 ‰; stage IIc, -6.1~-6.8 ‰, This indicates a progressive increase of meteoric water influx in the hydrothermal system at Kwangsin. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values indicate that the Kwangsin hydrothermal fluids was formed from a circulating (due to intrusion of the Muamsa Granite) meteoric waters which evolved through interaction mainly with the Samtaesan Formation (${\delta}^{18}O=20.1$ to 24.9 ‰) under low water/rock ratios.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.351-363
• /
• 2012

In order to develop the evaluation techniques for the potential sulfide ore reserves, the relationships between the modal vol.%, grain sizes and textural characteristics of the constituent minerals (e.g., sulfides, oxides and skarn minerals) and the Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) phase differences are examined for the nine rock cores collected from the Gagok Pb-Zn skarn deposit. The Gagok Pb-Zn skarn deposit occurs mainly along the intrusive contact between the Cretaceous granitic rocks and Cambrian Myobong slate and Pungchon limestone. The nine rock cores have been grouped into three showing distinctive SIP phase differences: the highest (Group I), intermediate (Group II) and lowest (Group III). In relation with the modal vol.% of minerals, Group I is characterized by higher pyrrhotite (25-38 vol.%) and amphibole (40-55 vol.%); Group II by intermediate pyrrhotite (7-13 vol.%) and higher garnet (44-68 vol.%); and lower pyrrhotite (1-7 vol.%) and higher pyroxene (24-66 vol.%) stand for Group III. Furthermore, the grains of all the major constituent minerals become smaller from Group I (<5 mm) through Group II (<2.5 mm) to Group III (<1.6 mm). In particular, the pyrrhotite contents and their grain sizes show logarithmic correlation with the SIP phase differences, Although we present here the results solely from nine samples, the systematic interrelations especially for pyrrhotite indicate the potential ability of SIP measurements as a new mine-evaluation technique for the sulfide ore reservoir.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.15-24
• /
• 2015

Extensive base-metal and/or gold bearing ore mineralizations occur in the Pacitan mineralized district of the south western portions in the East Java, Indonesia. Metallic ore bodies in the Pacitan mineralized district are classified into two major types: 1) skarn type replacement ore bodies, 2) fissure filling hydrothermal ore bodies. Skarn type replacement ore bodies are developed typically along bedding planes of limestone as wall rock around the quartz porphyry and are composed mineralogically of skarn minerals, magnetite, and base metal sulfides. Hydrothermal ore bodies differ mineralogically in relation to distance from the quartz porphyry as source igneous rock. Hydrothermal ore bodies in the district are porphyry style Cu-Zn-bearing stockworks as proximal ore mineralization and Pb-Zn(-Au)-bearing fissure filling hydrothermal veins as distal ore mineralization. Sulfur isotope compositions in the sulfides from skarn and hydrothermal ore bodies range from 6.7 to 8.2‰ and from 0.1 to 7.9‰, respectively. The calculated ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of $H_2S$ in skarn-forming and hydrothermal fluids are 0.9 to 7.1‰ (5.6-7.1‰ for skarn-hosted sulfides and 0.9-6.8‰ for sulfides from hydrothermal deposits). The change from skarn to hydrothermal mineralization would have resulted in increased $SO_4/H_2S$ ratios and corresponding decreases in ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of $H_2S$. The calculated ${\delta}^{18}O$ water values are: skarn magnetite, 9.6 and 9.7‰; skarn quartz, 6.3-9.6‰; skarn calcite, 4.7 and 5.8‰; stockwork quartz, 3.0-7.7‰; stockwork calcite, 1.2 and 2.0‰; vein quartz, -3.9 - 6.7‰. The calculated ${\delta}^{18}O_{water}$ values decrease progressively with variety of deposit types (from skarn through stockwork to vein), increasing paragenetic time and decreasing temperature. This indicates the progressively increasing involvement of isotopically less-evolved meteoric waters in the Pacitan hydrothermal system. The ranges of ${\delta}D_{water}$ values are from -65 to -88‰: skarn, -67 to -84‰; stockwork, -65 and -76‰; vein, -66 to -88‰. The isotopic compositions of fluids in the Pacitan hydrothermal system show a progressive shift from magmatic hydrothermal dominance in the skarn and early hydrothermal ore mineralization periods toward meteoric hydrothermal dominance in the late ore mineralization periods.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.213-222
• /
• 2018

Metasediment-hosted Pb-Zn mineralized zone has been found in Dyusembay of Kazakhstan. Its petrological properties, metal index, alteration index and redox-sensitivity are compared with those of SEDEX type deposit. Mineralization is developed along foliation of host rock (graphitic phyllite) and controlled by folds and faults; major ore minerals including pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and galena are disseminated or interlayered with fine-grained quartz. The margin of the mineralized zone is metamorphosed accompanying sericite and chlorite. Hydrothermal brecciation and Pb-Zn mineralization formed in quartz-calcite stockworks are confirmed at the around of Maytyubin granitoid intrusions. The mineralization is classified into three types according to those of occurrence, paragenesis, chemical composition and isotopic characteristics. Type 1 whose fine-grained pyrite, pyrrhotite and sphalerite are formed in parallel yet discontinuous to well-developed foliations of the host rock; its geochemistry is similar to those of the earlier stage in SEDEX-type mineralization. In case of type 2, the ore minerals of which are concentrated being parallel to a foliation by regional metamorphism, and most of them associated with quartz and muscovite (${\pm}$ biotite) paragenetically. Type 3 is formed in the hydrothermal breccia zone whose ore minerals are controlled by foliation and breccia and developed in quartz ${\pm}$ calcite veins having a form such as stratification, stockwork or veinlets. Host rocks in the mineralized zone indicate homogeneous metamorphic grade and there is no specific alteration zonation. Also, all types (type 1, type 2, and type 3) represent similar REEs patterns, it can be interpreted that these are originated from a same source. Sulphides occurred in mineralized zone indicate a limited range of sulphur isotope values (type 2, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.3{\sim}-11.7$‰; type 3, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.9{\sim}-8.2$‰), and a result of geothermometry presents different temperature ranges: type 2($251{\pm}38^{\circ}C{\sim}277{\pm}40^{\circ}C$); type 3($360{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ to $537{\pm}29^{\circ}C$). It is estimated to be due to the effect of metamorphism and Maytyubin granitoid intrusions, respectively. In addition, ternary chart of thorium, scandium, and zircon for discrimination of tectonic setting and redox sensitivity using V/Mo values indicate that hydrothermal sediments put on reduction environment after precipitation, before being affected by metamorphism and intrusion activity. Geochemical data are plotted on a distal trend of SEDEX-type with discrimination plot using SEDEX index. As a result, petrological-geochemical properties demonstrate that Dyusembay Pb-Zn mineralized zone is comparable to distal-type of SEDEX deposit.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2010

The Yugeum deposit in Youngduk in Gyungsangbuk-do is emplaced in the Cretaceous granitoids located in the Northeastem Gyeongsang Basin. Gold-bearing quartz veins filling the fracture with a direction of $N19^{\circ}{\sim}38^{\circ}W$ are most abundantly distributed within the Younghae granodiorite body. The formation of quartz veins can be classified into three main stages: barren quartz stage, auriferous quartz vein stage, and finally the extensive sulfide mineralization stage. Various sulfide minerals such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite were precipitated during the hydrothermal gold mineralization process. Gold commonly occurs as fine-grained electrum in sulfides with high Au concentration (up to 93 wt%) compared to Ag. During the early gold mineralization stage, the temperature and pressure of the fluids are in the range of $220{\sim}250^{\circ}C$ and 730~1800 bar, and the oxygen fugacity is between $10^{-27}$ and $10^{-31.7}$ atm. On the other hand, the fluids of the late stage mineralization are characterized by temperature of $290{\sim}350^{\circ}C$ and pressure of 206~472 bar, and the oxygen fugacity is in the range of $10^{-26.3}{\sim}10^{-28.6}$ atm. The sulfur isotope compositions of sulfide minerals are in the range of $0.2{\sim}4.2^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$, while the ${\delta}^{34}SH_2S$ values range from 1.0 to $3.7^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. The Ag/Au atomic ratios of electrum ranges from 0.15 to 1.10, and Au content is higher than Ag in most electrum. During the main gold mineralization stage at the relatively high temperature condition and with pH from 4.5 to 5.5, the stability of ${AuCl_2}^-$ increased while the stability of ${Au(HS)_2}^-$ decreased. Considering the pressure estimated in this deposit, the temperature of the ore fluid reached higher than $350^{\circ}C$ and ${AuCl_2}^-$ became an important species for the gold transportation. As mineralization proceeded with decreasing temperature and increasing pH and $f_{o2}$, the precipitation of sulfide minerals and accompanying electrum occurred.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.411-416
• /
• 2020

An optical arrangement has been set inside a photo-spectrometer to measure the reflectance of IR optics materials in mid IR range. The optical arrangement consists of equally spaced 4 gold coated full reflecting mirrors with the incidence angle of 45°. Baseline beam intensity I_B has been measured while the beam proceeds through the 4 mirrors. Reflectance of a mirror has been estimated from the I_B. And the beam intensity I_S with the specimen in the optical path has been measured with the 4th mirror replaced with the specimen. Reflectance of the specimen has been estimated from the value of I_S/I_B. Then the estimated reflectance has been put in Fresnel equation relating reflectance and refractive index(RI) to estimate the RI of the material. Measurement has been made for sapphire, germanium, magnesium fluoride, and zinc sulfide. The estimated RI of the materials are closely matching with reference data and the maximum difference less than 2% over the wavelength range 3-5㎛ for all materials tested. As an FT-IR photo-spectrometer with a broadband wavelength infrared light source is used, this method has the advantage of measuring the refractive index at multiple wavelengths in a single measurement.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.484-494
• /
• 2004

The Soowang Au-Ag deposits occur as quartz veins which filled fissures in middle Cretaceous porphyritic granite an/or gneiss of the Precambrian Sobaegsan gneiss complex. The paragenetic studies suggest that vein filling can be divided into four identifiable stages (I to IV). Stage I is the main sulfide stage, characterized by the deposition of base-metal sulfide and minor electrum. Stage II is the electrum stage, whereas stage III represents a period of the deposition of silver-bearing sulfosalts and minor electrum. Stage IV is the post ore stage. Mineralogical and fluid inclusion evidences suggest that mineralization of the Soowang deposits were deposited by the cooling of the fluids from initial high temperatures 300$^{\circ}C$ to later low temperatures 150$^{\circ}C$. The salinity of the fluids were moderate, ranging from 10.4wt.% equivalent NaCl in sphalerite to 3.1wt.% equivalent NaCl in barite. The gold-silver mineralization of the Soowang mine occurred at temperatures between 140 and 250$^{\circ}C$ from fluids with log $fs_2$ from -12 to -18 atm. A consideration of the pressure regime during ore deposition, based on the fluid inclusion evidence of boiling, suggests lithostatic pressure of less than 210 bars. This pressure condition indicates that vein system of the Soowang deposit formed at depth around 800 m below the surface at the time of gold-silver mineralization.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.233-247
• /
• 2012

We have researched the distribution and characteristics of seafloor hydrothermal deposits for the development of economic mineral deposits in the Lau Basin, Tonga since 2009. In this study, we interpreted hydrothermal alteration around TA 26 seamounts of the Tofua volcanic arc using X-ray diffraction analysis for bulk sample and preferred-oriented specimen of clay fraction. We used 2 core samples and several surface samples. Plagioclase and quartz are dominant mineral in the basement rock, whereas kaolin mineral and smectite are superior in marine surface sediments. Especially sulfate and sulfide minerals such as gypsum, barite, sphalerite, and pyrite are predominant in the vent sediments. When we compare the mineral composition between basement rock and sea surface sediments, argillic alteration zone composed of kaolin mineral and smectite could be produced by hydrothermal fluids. Based on the downcore variation of mineral assemblages, most portion of MC08H-06 core could be interpreted as argillic alteration zone composed of kaolin mineral and smectite except top 2 cm area. Various sulfate or sulfide minerals and argillic alteration zone suggest a high probability of massive sulfide deposits in the seafloor of the TA 26 seamount.