• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2024

North Korea relies heavily on coal as the primary energy source, playing an important role in all energy demand sectors except for the transportation sector. Approximately half of the total electricity is generated through coal-fired power plants, and coal is used to produce heat and power for all industrial facilities. Furthermore, coal has been a significant contributor to earning foreign currency through long-term exports to China. Nevertheless, since the 1980s, indiscriminate mining activities have led to rapid depletion of coal production in most coal mines. Aging mine facilities, lack of investment in new equipment, shortages of fuel and electricity, difficulties in material supply, and frequent damage from flooding have collectively contributed to a noticeable decline in coal production since the late 1980s. North Korea's coal deposits are distributed in various geological formations from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic, but the most critical coal-bearing formations are Ripsok and Sadong formations distributed in the Pyeongnam Basin of the Late Paleozoic from Carboniferous to Permian, which are called as Pyeongnam North and South Coal Fields. Over 90% of North Korea's coal is produced in these coal fields. The classification of coal in North Korea differs from the international classification based on coalification (peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite). North Korean classification based on industrial aspect is classified into bituminous coal, anthracite, and low-grade coal (Chomuyeontan). Based on the energy factor, it is classified into high-calorie coal, medium calorie coal, and low-calorie coal. In North Korea, the term "Chomuyeontan" refers to a type of coal that is not classified globally and is unique to North Korea. It is a low-grade coal exclusively used in North Korea and is not found or used in any other country worldwide. This article compares North Korea's coal classification and the international coal classification of coal and provides insights into the geological characteristics, reserves, utilization, and research trends of North Korean coal resources. This study could serve as a guide for preparing scientific and industrial agendas related to coal collaboration between North Korea and South Korea.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2011

The surface sediment distribution in a tidal flat in 2001 was compared with that of 2008 using high spatial resolution remote sensing images and a GIS-based analysis. Maps of the surface sedimentary facies for each time frame were induced by an IKONOS data acquired in February, 2001 and a KOMPSAT-2 data acquired in April, 2008 using an object-based classification method. The area ratio of each surface sedimentary facies were estimated, and the results were compared each other for deducing the change in the sedimentary facies during the time interval. The result showed that the percentage of grains larger than very fine sand (0.0625 mm) has increased considerably since the early 2000s in the Hwangdo tidal flat. Mud flat facies has decreased 5.81 % in the late 2000s compared with the early 2000s. However, mixed flat and sand flat have increased 4.46% and 2.14%, respectively. A field campaign also supported the result. This study showed that the monitoring of changes in the surface sedimentary facies in the tidal flat is possible through a GIS-based analysis using high spatial resolution remote sensing images.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.389-398
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• 2022

Many studies have been conducted to accurately predict the correlations between As and heavy metals content in contaminated soil and cultivated crops; however, due to the low correlation between the two, few clear results were obtained to date. This study aimed to create statistical models that predict the As content transferred from soil to polished rice, considering the physicochemical properties of the soil, as well as the total content and the single-extracted content of As in the soil. Predictive models were derived through regression analysis while sequentially classifying soil samples according to pH, soluble As content by single extraction, and organic matter content of the soil. The correlation coefficients between the As content in 80 polished rice and total As content and Mehlich soluble As content in the soil were low, 0.533 and 0.493, respectively. However, the models derived after sequential classification of the soil by pH, a ratio of total As content to Mehlich soluble As content, and organic matter content greatly increased the predictive power; ① 0.963 for 13 soils with a pH higher than 6.5, ② 0.849 for 15 soils with pH lower than 6.5 and a high ratio of As_Tot/As_Mehlich, ③ 0.935 for 30 soils with pH lower than 6.5, a high ratio of As_Tot/As_Mehlich, and organic matter content lower than 8.5%. The suggested prediction model of As transfer from soil to polished rice derived by soil classification may serve as a statistically significant methodology in establishing a rice cultivation standard for arsenic-contaminated soil.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.887-897
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• 2023

Leading waste disposal countries, such as Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, conduct safety assessments across all stages of High-Level Radioactive Waste Deep Geological Disposal Facilities-from planning and site selection to construction, operation, closure, and post-closure management. As safety assessments are repeatedly performed at each stage, generating vast amounts of diverse data over extended periods, it is essential to construct a database for safety assessment and establish a data management system. In this study, the safety assessment data management systems of leading countries, were analyzed, categorizing them into 1) input and reference data for safety assessments, 2) guidelines for data management, 3) organizational structures for data management, and 4) computer systems for data management. While each country exhibited differences in specific aspects, commonalities included the classification of safety assessment input data based on disposal system components, the establishment of organizations to supply, use, and manage this data, and the implementation of quality management systems guided by instructions and manuals. These cases highlight the importance of data management systems and document management systems for securing the safety and enhancing the reliability of High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities. To achieve this, the classification of input data that can be flexibly and effectively utilized, ensuring the consistency and traceability of input data, and establishing a quality management system for input data and document management are necessary.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.129-141
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• 2024

This study derived production-production multipliers using a regional input-output table and estimated the induced effect of aggregates through the non-metallic minerals sector and the concrete products sector. In deriving the induced effect of aggregates, it is difficult to use the regional input-output table due to the sector classification problem. This study analyzed the non-metallic mineral sector, including aggregates, as aggregates sector, and the concrete products sector, which uses most of the aggregate production. By analyzing this, we attempted to alleviate difficulties caused by sector classification restrictions. In the process of estimating the induced effect, it was assumed that there was a decrease in aggregate production, and in the process of analyzing the concrete products sector, the effect of the decrease in concrete product production due to the decrease in aggregate production, that is, the decrease in production of one unit of aggregate was 0.8511 in the concrete product sector. The analysis was conducted on the premise of a decrease in unit production. Inducing effects within and between regions were calculated for the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces classified by the regional input-output table. The employment effect was also calculated, assuming a 10% production decrease to show differences according to the size of the aggregate and concrete product sectors in each region.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.93-105
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• 2024

Chilgok Geummubong tree fern fossil site is the type locality where tree fern stem fossils (Cyathocaulis naktongensis) were first discovered by Tateiwa in 1925. Recognized for its academic value, it was designated as a natural monument in the 1930s during the Japanese colonial period, and preserved and managed for over 90 years. However, at the time of discovery, the stratigraphic level of tree fern fossils could not be located because the fossils were fragments detached from the rock body, and thus the Geummubong area where the conglomerate/sandstone layers of the Nakdong Formation are distributed, has been designated as a cultural heritage area. Only in the 2000s, when tree fern fossils were directly recovered from the outcrops near the designated area, the sedimentary rock facies containing the fossils were interpreted, and the anatomical characteristics of the Mesozoic tree fern fossils could be described and identified as a species level. Such studies are, in these days, redefining classification criteria done by Japanese paleontologist, Ogura. That is, Korean researchers pointed out that the classification criteria of the tree fern fossils (Cyathocaulis) reported early from Chilgok were ambiguous, and the possibility that the two species were the same species was suggested. In addition, it is necessary to reorganize designated areas as a way to resolve social conflicts and civil complaints caused by various regulations that have continued for a long time.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.167-181
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• 2020

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison analysis were performed for shear strengths categorized by breccia content of 5 wt.% (Case-I), 10 wt.%, (Case-II) and 15 wt.% (Case-III) in fault cores. The relationship between breccia contetnt and shear strength was quantitatively classified by calculating the mean and standard deviation of shear strength for each population in each case and then the grouping the breccia contents that had a statistically similar effect on the dispersion of shear strength. As a result, shear strength was clearly classified into group 1 (breccia content of 0-15 wt.%) and group 2 and 3 (breccia coantent of 15-30 wt.% and 30 wt.% or more) in Case-III. Shear strength of the standard line at breccia content of 15 wt.% were determined to be 43.6 kPa, 77.6 kPa, and 118.6 kPa at each normal stress (54 kPa, 108 kPa, and 162 kPa), respectively. In addition, the distribution range of cohesions is 0-43.6 kPa at breccia content of 15 wt.% or less, and 0-70.0 kPa at 15 wt.% or more. Distribution range of friction angles is 0-45.7 ° at breccia content of 15 wt.% or less, and 16.7-57.5 ° at 15 wt.% or more.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2016

Non-conventional resource and alternative energy were researched for predicting oil peak. In this study, one of many non-conventional resources, specifically oil-sands, was investigated due to the increasing interest of oil-sands plant modularization in permaforst areas for reducing the construction periods through modular transportation while limiting local construction workers. Hence, tehcnological trends were analyzed for oil-sand plant modularization. Data used were between 1994 and 2015 for patent analysis while targets included Korea, US, Japan, Europe and Canada. Technology classification system consisted of mining, steam assisted gravity drainage(SAGD), separation/upgrading/tailors ponds, module design/packaging, module transportation and material/maintenance. Result of patent analysis, patent application accounts 89% in US and Canada. The main competitive companies were Shell, Suncor and Exxon-mobil. Unlike other oil developments, oil-sands have a long-term stable production characteristic, hence, it is important to ensure the competitiveness of oil-sands for obtaining a patent in the long run.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.573-580
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• 2021

This study analyzed the induced effects of the aggregate and stone sectors using the industry association table. First, the added value of the aggregate and stone sectors was summarized, and then the intermediate input structure and induced effect were analyzed. In terms of value-added structure, aggregate and stone showed a higher employee remuneration rate compared to the manufacturing industry, and a higher rate of operating surplus compared to other mining industries. The intermediate input structure summarizes the sector using aggregate and stone products as intermediate inputs and their input ratio. The proportion of the intermediate element input structure was confirmed. In addition, the main input sectors of ready-mixed concrete, the largest consumer of aggregate and stone, are also summarized. The production-inducing effect of aggregate and stone showed a higher influence coefficient than the sensitivity coefficient, confirming that they had a relatively large rear chain effect. The production inducement effect was reviewed by reconstructing the industry association table, and it was found to show a relative superiority in the influence coefficient, similar to the results derived according to the provisional classification of the Bank of Korea.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.197-207
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• 2022

This study investigated spectroscopic exploration of Myeonsan formation, the titanium(Ti) ore hostrock, in Joseon supergroup based on machine learning technique. The mineral composition, Ti concentration, spectral characteristics of Myeonsan and non-Myeonsan formation of Joseon supergroup were analyzed. The Myeonsan formation contains relatively larger quantity of opaque minerals along with quartz and clay minerals. The PXRF analysis revealed that the Ti concentration of Myeosan formation is at least 10 times larger than the other formations with bi-modal distribution. The bi-modal concentration is caused by high Ti concentrated sandy layer and relatively lower Ti concentrated muddy layer. The spectral characteristics of Myeonsan formation is manifested by Fe oxides at near infrared and clay minerals at shortwave infrared bands. The Ti exploration is expected to be more effective on detection of hostrock rather than Ti ore because ilmenite does not have characteristic spectral features. The random-forest machine learning classification detected the Myeonsan fomation at 85% accuracy with overall accuracy of 97%, where spectral features of iron oxides and clay minerals played an important role. It indicates that spectral analysis can detect the Ti host rock effectively, and can contribute for UAV based remote sensing for Ti exploration.