• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.537-549
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• 2007

The characteristics of the mineralization and geology in the northern Mt. Taebaek mining district are found to be similar with those reported from Nevada district where the Carlin-type gold deposit occurs characteristically as repeated metallic ore deposits in space and time. Though two spots of hs and several spots of Sb anomalies were recognized in the Yeongweol area, they have no relationship with any metalliferous mineralization. On the other hand, two spots of As anomaly in the Jeongseon area have shown to be related with metalliferous ore deposits (mainly Ag-Au), and they are closely associated with Sb anomaly. Some elements of altered limestones in the study such as Au, Ag, As, Sb, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mo area are closely associated together, and are more enriched in the Jeongseon area than in the Yeongweol area. In particular, Sb and As which may reflect the occurrence of the Carlin-type gold deposit are highly enriched. However, the base metals such af Zn and Pb are highly variable according to samples. The patterns of the enrichment factor for Sb and As, as well as those for Ag and Au, are very similar with those reported from the Carlin-type gold deposits in Nevada. These similarities in elemental distribution may imply that hydrothermal ore mineralization in the study areas was possibly originated from a fluid with the characteristics of the Carlin-type gold mineralization found in Nevada, China, and Indonesia. However, the pattern of base metals and Mo are different. This may result from different chemistry and/or mineralogy of host rock in the study areas.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.57-65
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• 2009

Selection of good mineralized area is a combination of the integration of all the available geo-scientific (i.e., geological, geochemical, and geophysical) information, extrapolation of likely features from known mineralized terrenes and the ability to be predictive. The time-space relationships of the hydrothermal deposits in the East Asia are closely related to the changing plate motions. Also, two distinctive hydrothermal systems during Mesozoic occurred in Korea: the Jurassic/Early Cretaceous deep-level ones during the Daebo orogeny and the Late Cretaceous/Tertiary shallow geothermal ones during the Bulguksa event. Both the Mesozoic geothermal system and the mineralization document a close spatial and temporal relationship with syn- to post-tectonic magmatism. The Jurassic mineral deposits were formed at the relatively high temperature and deep-crustal level from the mineralizing fluids characterized by the relatively homogeneous and similar ranges of ${\delta}^{18}O$ values, suggesting that ore-forming fluids were principally derived from spatially associated Jurassic granitoid and related pegmatite. Most of the Jurassic auriferous deposits (ca. 165-145 Ma) show fluid characteristics typical of an orogenic-type gold deposits, and were probably generated in a compressional to transpressional regime caused by an orthogonal to oblique convergence of the Izanagi Plate into the East Asian continental margin. On the other hand, Late Cretaceous ferroalloy, base-metal and precious-metal deposits in the Taebaeksan, Okcheon and Gyeongsang basins occurred as vein, replacement, breccia-pipe, porphyry-style and skarn deposits. Diverse mineralization styles represent a spatial and temporal distinction between the proximal environment of sub-volcanic activity and the distal to transitional condition derived from volcanic environments. However, Cu (-Au) or Fe-Mo-W deposits are proximal to a magmatic source, whereas polymetallic or precious-metal deposits are more distal to transitional. Strike-slip faults and caldera-related fractures together with sub-volcanic activity are associated with major faults reactivated by a northward (oblique) to northwestward (orthogonal) convergence, and have played an important role in the formation of the Cretaceous Au-Ag lode deposits (ca. 110-45 Ma) under a continental arc setting. The temporal and spatial distinctions between the two typical Mesozoic deposit styles in Korea reflect a different thermal episodes (i.e., late orogenic and post-orogenic) and ore-forming fluids related to different depths of emplacement of magma (i.e., plutonic and sub-volcanic) due to regional changes in tectonic settings.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.53-66
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• 1977

Epithermal Mn-Au-Ag deposits of subvolcanic type in the Yeongil area discovered by one (Soo Jin Kim) of the present authors was studied with emphasis on their mineralogy, genesis and future potential. Mineralization is genetically related to volcanic activities of the Tertiary Period, which have produced porphyritic rhyolite, granite porphyry, felsitic rhyolite and agglomerate. Ore deposits are closely associated with felsitic rhyolite. They occur as breccia-filling, veins, or networks. Mineralization is characterized by rhodochrosite-sulfide ores of breccia-type in the central zone, and sulfide ores of disseminated type in the outer zone. Sulfides consist mainly of pyrite and marcasite, with minor chalcopyrite, sphalerite, argentian tetrahedrite, galena and gold in the central zone, and of pyrite, marcasite and argentian tetrahedrite in the outer zone. Sulfides are generally not easily identified with naked eye because of their very fine-grained nature. Wall rock alteration zones are also developed around ore deposits over the large area. Occurrence of ore deposits and the nature of mineralization indicate that the uppermost portion of ore deposits are now exposed on the surface, and therefore, the main mineralized zones are expected in depth.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.375-388
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate the ore genesis and occurrence of the Wondong polymetallic mineral deposits. The Pb-Zn, Fe and W-Mo mineralizations are found in skarn zones which formed mainly in or along the fault shear zones with the $N25-40^{\circ}W$ and $N10-50^{\circ}E$ directions, whereas the Cu-Mo mineralization is appeared hydrothermal replacement zone. The skarn minerals consist mainly of garnet and epidote, which were the last alteration phases between pneumatolytic and hydrothermal stages. The mineral paragenesis toward the late stage are as follows: arsenopyrite, scheelite, magnetite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Average ore grades are 0.33 g/t Au, 46.29 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 4.4% Pb, 2.61% Zn and 29.39% Fe in tunnels, and 0.31 % Cu, 0.52% Pb, 6.29% Zn, 29.29% Fe, 0.03% Mo and 0.12% $WO_3$ in drill cores. Fluid inclusion data shows that Type I (liquid-rich), Type II (vapor-rich) and Type III (halite-bearing) inclusions are coexisted and their homogenization temperatures are quite similar. This indicates that boiling conditions have been reached during the mineralization. It is also likely that the ore solutions were evolved through the mixing between magmatic and meteoric waters. Rhyolite and quartz porphyry far the mineralization probably are not responsible of the Wondong polymetallic mineral deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.445-454
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• 1999

The Sanjeon Au-Ag deposit consists of three subparallel hydrothermal quartz-calcite veins which filled fault-related fractures (generally $N20^{\circ}$ to 35"W-trending and $70^{\circ}$ to $80^{\circ}$ SW-dipping) within quartz porphyry. The vein mineralization shows an apparent variation of mineral assemblages with paragenetic time: (1) early, white quartz + pyrite + arsenopyrite + brown sphalerite, (2) middle, white (vein) to clear quartz (vug) + base-metal sulfides + electrum + argentite, (3) late, calcite + pyrite + native silver. Mineralogic and fluid inclusion data indicate that gold-silver minerals were deposited at temperatures from 2l $0^{\circ}$ to $250^{\circ}$ with salinities of 4 to 5 wt. % equiv. NaCl and log fS2 values from -14.0 to -12.2 atm. The linear relationship between homogenization temperature and salinity data indicates that gold-silver deposition was a result of meteoric water mixing. Ore mineralization occurred at pressure conditions of about 70 bars, which corresponds to the mineralization depths of about 260 m to 700 m. There is a remarkable decrease of the calculated 1)180 values of water from 1.3 to -9.7%0 in hydrothermal fluid with increasing paragenetic time. This indicates a progressive increase of meteoric water influx in the hydrothermal system at the Sanjeon deposit. Oxygen-hydrogen, sulfur, and carbon isotope values of hydrothermal fluids indicate that the ore mineralization was formed largely from meteoric waters with the contribution of sulfur and carbon from a deep igneous source.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.267-278
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• 2013

The East African Rift System(EARS) is known to be hosted epithermal Au-Ag deposits, and the best-known example is Main Ethiopian Rift Valley(MER) related to Quaternary bimodal volcanism. Large horst-graben system during rifting provides open space for emplacement of bimodal magmas and flow channel of geothermal fluids. In recent, large hydrothermally altered zones(Shala, Langano, and Allalobeda) and hot spring related to deeply circulating geothermal water have been increasing their importance due to new discoveries in MER and Danakil depression. The hot springs in Shala and Allalobeda occur as boiling pool and geyser on the surface, whereas some areas didn't observe them due to decreasing ground water table. The host rocks are altered to quartz, kaolinite, illite, smectite, and chlorite due to interaction with rising geothermal water. The hot springs in MER are neutral to slightly alkaline pH(7.88~8.83) and mostly classified into $HCO_3{^-}$ type geothermal water. They are strongly depleted in Au, and Ag, but show a higher Se concentration of up to 26.7 ppm. In contrast, siliceous altered rocks around hot springs are strongly enriched in Pb(up to 33 ppm, Shala), Zn(up to 313 ppm, Shala), Cu(up to 53.1 ppm, Demaegona), and Mn(up to 0.18 wt%t, Shala). In conclusion, anomalous Se in hot spring water, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mn in siliceous altered rocks, and new discoveries in MER have been increasing potential for epithermal gold mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.5 s.180
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• pp.567-581
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• 2006

The Au-Ag lode deposits in South Korea are closely associated with the Mesozoic granitoids. Namely, the Jurassic deposits formed in mesozonal environments related to deep-seated granitoids, whereas the Cretaceous ones were developed in porphyry-related environments related to subvolcanic granitoids. The time-space relationships of the Au-Ag lode deposits in South Korea are closely related to the changing plate motions during the Mesozoic. Most of the Jurassic auriferous deposits (about $165{\sim}145$ Ma) show fluid characteristics typical of an orogenic-type gold deposits, and were probably generated in a compressional to transpressional regime caused by an orthogonal to oblique convergence of the Izanagi Plate into the East Asian continental margin. On the other hand, strike-slip faults and caldera-related fractures together with subvolcanic activity are associated with major strike-slip faults reactivated by a northward (oblique) to northwestward (orthogonal) convergence, and probably have played an important role in the formation of the Cretaceous Au-Ag lode deposits (about $110{\sim}45$ Ma) under a continental arc setting. The temporal and spatial distinctions between the two typical Mesozoic deposit styles in South Korea probably reflect a different thermal episodes (i.e., late orogenic and post-orogenic) and ore-forming fluids related to different depths of emplacement of magma due to regional changes in tectonic environment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2022

The Geochang Au-Ag deposit is located within the Yeongnam Massif. Within the area a number of hydrothermal quartz and calcite veins were formed by narrow open-space filling of parallel and subparallel fractures in the granitic gneiss and/or gneissic granite. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz vein; stage II, barren calcite vein) by major tectonic fracturing. Stage I, at which the precipitation of major ore minerals occurred, is further divided into three substages (early, middle and late) with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: early, marked by deposition of pyrite with minor pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite; middle, characterized by introduction of electrum and base-metal sulfides with minor sulfosalts; late, marked by hematite with base-metal sulfides. Fluid inclusion data show that stage I ore mineralization was deposited between initial high temperatures (≥380℃ ) and later lower temperatures (≤210℃ ) from H₂O-CO₂-NaCl fluids with salinities between 7.0 to 0.7 equiv. wt. % NaCl of Geochang hydrothermal system. The relationship between salinity and homogenization temperature indicates a complex history of boiling, fluid unmixing (CO₂ effervescence), cooling and dilution via influx of cooler, more dilute meteoric waters over the temperature range ≥380℃ to ≤210℃. Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur by evolution of the Geochang hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time. The Geochang deposit may represents a mesothermal gold-silver deposit.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.445-454
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• 1993

The Keumseongsan caldera is composed of the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Gyeonesang Supergroup, volcanic rocks of the Yucheon Group and basic dykes. The Keumseongsan caldera is formed by subsidence of volcanic rocks, and arc fault developed late. Also, synistral strike-slip fault ($N60^{\circ}W$) developed. Volcanic rocks belong to subalkaline rocks and calcalkaline magma series. First tuffaceous breccia erupted before 71.4 Ma and cavity of magma chamber caused subsidence, which formed arc fault. Basaltic lava erupted at 71.4 Ma and residual fluids containing Fe, As, Pb, Zn and Cu metal elements built the Ohto deposits, which are dated to be 70.5 Ma based on K-Ar age for sericite. Tuffaceous breccia and tuff erupted between 70.5 and 67 Ma. When volcanic eruption became weakened, cavity in site of magma chamber brought subsidence. Rhyolite intruded and erupted at 67 Ma, and intrusive rhyolite intruded according to arc faults, also. Hydrothermal fluids containing Fe, As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Sb, Bi, Au and Ag formed the Tohyeon deposits. K-Ar age for sericite from the Tohyeon mine gives 66.0 Ma. Results of field exploration, geochemical analyses of volcanic rocks support mineralization possibility by volcanism. Especially, age of volcanism and mineralization are well in coincidence with results of K-Ar age dating. By these results, Ohto Cu mineralization is regarded to be associcated with basaltic rocks, while Tohyeon Cu mineralization with rhyolitic rocks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 1993

Ag-Au vein ores from the Weolyu mine, Youngdong district, contain significant germanium (up to 145g/t, average 34.9g/t), in the form of argyrodite ($Ag_8GeS_6$). Mineral chemistries of argyrodite and its associated minerals were determined by electron probe microanalysis. Twenty eight elements in thirteen ore samples were analyzed using an ICP mass spectrometer. Argyrodite occurs in the paragenetically later mineral assemblage consisting of carbonates+quartz+native silver+argentite+Ag-sulfosalts, indicating that the germanium mineralization represents the culmination of a complex mineral sequence which includes early gold and late silver deposition. The mean formula of the argyrodite is $Ag_{7.90}\;(Ge_{0.76}Sn_{0.04})S_6$, with minor amounts of Cu, Fe, Sb, As, Sn, and Zn. The Weolyu argyrodite shows systematic substitutions of Ag by Cu, and of Ge by Sb. Chemical analyses of vein ores indicate that metals were precipitated in the order of $Fe{\rightarrow}Pb$, $Zn{\rightarrow}Cu{\rightarrow}Ag$, Sb, As, Ge. Germanium has a strong geochemical affmity with As and Sb, and Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, and Sr show weak positive correlations with Ge. Germanium deposition at Weolyu was mainly a result of cooling of hydrothermal fluids (down to $175^{\circ}C{\sim}210^{\circ}C$, due to increasing involvement of cooler meteoric waters in the epithermal system.