• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.41-54
• /
• 2023

Illite is a common mineral that forms readily from feldspar and mica via hydrothermal alteration and exhibits various characteristics depending on the degree of hydrothermal alteration. To ensure continued mining of high-quality illite ore, it is crucial to understand the illitization. Thus, this study collected ores from two illite ore deposit and their surrounding alteration zones in Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, a significant source of illite in the Republic of Korea, to determine the constituent mineral contents and textural characteristics. Polarized light microscopy analyses revealed that the illite ore deposit were highly illitized with little remaining textural characteristics of the parent mica schist, and only some quartz was present. The ore zone contained illite, muscovite, quartz, and feldspar, with illitization primarily occurring around feldspar and quartz. X-ray diffraction analyses identified that the content of illite/muscovite was approximately 50-75 wt.%, with a maximum of 75 wt.%. Additionally, X-ray fluorescence analyses indicated a linear increase in K₂O content with increasing illite content, showing the highest correlation among the major components analyzed. It is suggested that the illite in the Yeongdong area results from feldspar and quartz alteration by hydrothermal fluids along the fault, with illitization of feldspar occurring before that of quartz. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of high-quality illite ore deposit in Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.169-176
• /
• 1970

Kubong Gold Mine is located in Kuryongri, Sayang-myun, Chungyang-gun, Choongchung-Namdo.(latitude $36^{\circ}24^{\prime}N$. longitude $126^{\circ}45^{\prime}30^{{\prime}{\prime}}E$) The mine was begun to work soon after the inhabitants of this village had accidently discovered the outcrops in April 1908. It is one of the largest gold mines in Korea which produces 4,500 tons of crude ore a month. The geology in the area consists of granitic gneiss, banded gneiss, augen-gneiss, mica schist, limesilicate of Pre-Cambrian series and sedimentary rocks(sandstones & conglomerates) of Daedong series. Basic dikes intrude the former formations. The country rock of the ore deposit is a group of the metamorphic rocks mentioned above. Gold-silver bearing quartz vein contains small amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, galena and sphalerite in which gold and silver occur as native state. The vein strikes $N30^{\circ}{\sim}60^{\circ}E$ and dips $20^{\circ}{\sim}50^{\circ}S$ and the average width of the vein is estimated 1 to 1.5m. Average grade of ore is Au:6~8gr/t and Ag:5~6gr/t. The ore shoot continues from the outcrop to the depth of -1760ML with dip of $20{\sim}25^{\circ}$ and strike extension reaches to 400m at the depth of -1440 ML and to more or less 200m at below. Highgrade of ore vein was found at the lowest level of the ore shoot at the time of recent field survey at the end of August 1970. Its average grade was estimated as Au:20gr/t and its width 1~2.5M in average. A series of futher prospecting for other new ore shoot or parallel veins are urgent and crosscut prospecting along the horizontal level is strongly recommended.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.159-166
• /
• 2008

We have a question about the changing possibility of orientation of discontinuities through the depth of under-ground. To know this, the data from Honam coalfield composed of shale, sandstone and coal and Suwon area which crops out mica schist, were analyzed the discontinuities measured by BIPS and Televiewer. In Honam coalfield the orientations of joints are changed at 30-40 m depth of underground and in Suwon area they are changed around 20 m depth. To compared the results from Honanam coalfield and Suwon area, there are different rock type and geologic structure. However, the attitude of the discontinuities are changing at 20-30 m depth of underground.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.259-274
• /
• 2019

Using portable XRF and SWIR analyzer, the characteristics of element dispersion and wallrock alterations induced by interaction between hydrothermal fluids and host rocks were investigated and ore exploration factors were estimated for the orogenic-type Samgwang Au deposits. On this purpose, in-situ measurements were conducted for 804 spots at regular intervals with a total of 4,824 times for host rocks, consisting of schist and gneiss, and altered wallrocks contacted with quartz veins in the Bonhang adit of the deposit, and the results were compared with quantitative data obtained by XRF and ICP analysis. The regression coefficients are 0.88 for major elements and 0.56 for trace elements, excluding V. For polished rock slabs, better results came out for major elements, 0.97 and for trace elements, 0.65. In altered wallrocks contacted with quartz veins, elements such as Fe, Zn, and Rb exhibit positive correlations with As in concentrations, while V forms a negative trend. Contour maps demonstrate that As, Zn, Rb, Fe, Ti, Cr, and Ni are enriched together near quartz veins, showing similar elemental behaviors. In-situ analysis using portable SWIR analyzer represents that schist and gneiss contain mica, illite, chlorite, sericite, amphibole, and epidote, while illite, sericite, gypsum, and mica are present in the altered rocks contacted with quartz veins. In contour maps, chlorite occurs mostly in host rocks, while sericite is concentrated near quartz veins. These results are similar to those of previous studies for element dispersion and hydrothermal alteration, and support the possibility for application of in-situ analysis on the exploration of orogenic gold deposit.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.674-682
• /
• 2005

The Samsung mine is located in Jeongsan-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, and is produces sericite ores. The purpose of this study is to investigate the geology and mineralogy of sericite one and its host-rock together with the alteration processes and age of sericitization. Geological survey, polarizing microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, X-ray fluorescent analysis, differential thermal analysis, and K/Ar isotope study have been employed for this study. The mine area is composed of Precambrian granite-gneiss and mica schist, and also Jurassic biotite granite. Serictization has occured within the granite-gneiss, and is interpreted to be formed by hydrothermal alteration. The sericite was formed by the breakdown of orthoclase, plagioclase, and biotite, respectively. With sericitization intensity increase, $SiO_2\;and\;Na_2O$ contents are decreased, while $Al_2O_3\;and\;K_2O$ increased. The formation age of sericite has been determined to be Jurassic, which corresponds well to the intrusion age of the biotite granite nearby.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.39 no.1 s.176
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2006

This paper attempts to locate and define a quartzite deposit in Geochang, Kyongsangnam Province in order to establish its commercial viability. The quartzite deposit (Poongwon Mine) occurs as lens or boudinage at the contact between mica schist of the Deogyusan formation and granite gneiss. During Precambrian, regional metamorphism and granitization may have caused the formation ot quartzite layers through recrystallization and rearrangement of silica components derived from older sedimentary rocks, probably chert and/or sandstone. The deposit is composed of fine-grained milky, or light yellowish quartz showing weak laminations with fairly dense and rough appearance in outcrop. It reaches about $60\;m(height)\times140\;m(length)\times35m(width)$ with attitude of $N57^{\circ}E-N8^{\circ}4E\;and\;51^{\circ}-60^{\circ}NW$. The average grade of the quartzite samples is $SiO_2=94.4\;wt\%,\;A1_2O_3=3.3\;wt\%,\; Fe_2O_3=0.8\;wt\%,\;K_2O=0.7\;wt\%$, which can be used for foundry, constructional materials, or concrete making. The proved reserve was estimated as 200,811 tonnage.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.545-559
• /
• 1996

Rare metal (Nb-Zr-REE) ore deposits are located in the Chungju area. Geotectonically, the rare metal ore deposits are situated in the transitional zone between Kyeonggi massif and Okcheon belt. The rare metal deposits are distributed in Kyemyeongsan Formation which consist of schist and alkaline igneous rocks. Alkali granite has suffered extensive post-magmatic metasomatism and hydrothermal processes. The ore contains mainly Ce-La, Ta-Nb, Y, Y-Nd, Nd-Th group minerals. More than 15 RE and REE minerals are found in the ore deposits. Allanite, one of the Ce-La rich REE minerals belonging to the epidote group, is the most common mineral in the studied area. The allanite- bearing rocks may be devided into seven types by features of occurrence and mineral associations; zircon type (ZT), allanite-vein type (AT), feldspar type (KT), fluorite type (FT), quartz-mica type (QT), iron-oxide type (MT), and amphibole type (HT). The allanite veins (AT) and zircon rich rocks (ZT) contain the highest total REE contents. Differences in REE abundance can be interpreted in terms of varying portions of magmatic hydrothermal fluid. Petrographical and chemical data are presented for allanites which were collected from different types. The allanites show wide variations in optical properties, due in part to differences in their chemical composition (depending on the types) and to the degree of crystallinity of the individual specimens. Allanite metamicts in biotite are generally surrounded by well developed pleochroic haloes. Usually, allanite is accompanied by zircon and other REE-bearing minerals. CaO and total REE contents $({\sum}RE_2O_3)$ range from 9.29 to 18.79% and 11.66 to 26.31%, respectively. Also, SiO, (28.87~32.61%), $Al_2O_3$ (8.30~16.88%), and $Fc_2O_3$ (16.74~24.38%) contents show varying contents from type to type. The ${\sum}RE_2O_3$ of allanite has positive relationships with $Fe_2O_3$ and negative relaton with CaO, $SiO_2$, and $Al_2O_3$ Backscattered electron microscope images (BEl) of allanite shows that the its mineral composition and texture is very complex. The allanite-bearing hosts show distinct light REE enrichment with strong negative Eu anomaly except for HI. The HT has an almost flat REE distribution pattern with a small negative Eu anomaly. The chemical variation of the allanites with occurrences and mineral association can be related to condition of temperature and oxidation states in precipitation environment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.177-188
• /
• 1982

The Chungju and Seosan Groups have been known usually as Precambrian formations in Korea. But their relative and absolute ages have been controvericial problem in relation with other geologic system such as so-called Ogcheon and Yeoncheon Systems in Korea. This study has mainly focused on the corelation of the Chungju Group with the Seosan Group in their stratigraphy, structure, metamorphism, and iron ore deposits. In the process of study, the auther surveyed and reclassified the Chungju and Seosan Groups and corelated with Gyeonggi and Ogch cheon metamorphic belts and got some new data. The Chungju iron-bearing formations showing transtitional relation with the Gyeonggi Gneiss Complex and the Jangamri Formation consisting mainly of pebble bearing calcarious phyllite, should be seperated from the Gyemyeongsan formation which is mainly composed of metavolcanic rocks. The Jangamri Formation and the coaly phyllite, which can be corelated respectively with the Hwaggangri Formation and Changri Formation in Ogcheon Group, are repeated in the Gyemyeonsan and Munjuri Formations with the overturned anticlinal folding(F1). So the Chungju Group which was defined as an indipendant geologic unit from the Ogcheon Group should be limited only on the Chungju iron Formation. The Seosan Group can be classified stratigraphically such as Seosan Formation consisting of iron-bearing quartzite and mica schist, Daesan Formation overlying unconformably on the Seosan Formation and Gyeonggi Gneiss Complex. Taean Formation overlying unconformably on the Daesan Formation should be seperated from Seosan Group. There are many similarity in the stratigrphy, structure, and metamorphic facies between Chungju and Seosan Groups exept the metavolcanic rocks in the Gyemyeongsan and Munjuri Formations and the pebble bearing calcareous phyllite in the Jangamri Formation. The two Groups were deformed with two kinds of differant stages, the first shows $N30^{\circ}-40^{\circ}E$ trend of fold axis, the second $N70^{\circ}-80^{\circ}W$ respectively. The Seosan Formation, which is the lowest formation in Seosan Group and bearing the iron formation, was metamorphosed at 2500 m. y. before. These age is similar with the metamorphic age of Gyeonggi metamorphic belt and with the age of Algoman and Kenoran Orogenies which devide the Precambrian into Archean and Proterozoic Era. So the Seosan Formation, which is included in some migmatitic rocks of Gyeonggi Gneiss Complex, is the oldest formation in Korea and can be corelated with the Anshan Group which bears the oldest iron formation in China. The metamorphic facies of the Precambrian metamorphism in Seosan area is simillar with that of Chungju area, showing high temperature-low pressure amphibolite facies which is corelated with the Gyeonggi metamorphic belt, the oldest metamorphic belt in Korea ($650^{\circ}-680^{\circ}C$, 3.2-4.4 Kb). The high temperature intermediate pressure amphibolite facies in Seosan area with the low temperature-intermediate presure greenschist facies of Taean formation is corelated with that of Ogcheon Group ($590^{\circ}-640^{\circ}$ C, 5.2-6.3 Kb). The Chungju and Seosan iron formations were deposited in Archean, showing geochemical composition of Precambrian iron formations. The Chungju iron formation was mainly formed by the chemical precipitation, on the other hand, the Seosan iron formation was formed by alternated action of chemical and detrital depositions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.347-356
• /
• 2019

Various studies regarding the sedimentary environment, depositional age, provenance, and metamorphic history have been carried out on the Taean Formation in the western part of Gyeonggi Massif, since the unique detrital zircon age pattern was revealed. This review paper introduces the previous researches on the Taean Formation and discusses the depositional age and provenance. The Taean Formation was traditionally regarded as a Precambrian stratigraphic unit, but recently it is interpreted to be a middle or upper Paleozoic formation due to the occurrence of large amounts of Early to Middle Paleozoic detrital zircons. The Taean Formation consists of metasandstone, argillaceous schist, and phyllite which are mainly made up of quartz and mica. The protoliths are interpreted as turbidites deposited in deep sea fan environment. The Taean Formation has been interpreted to be deposited between the Devonian to Triassic ages given the age differences between detrital zircons and intrusive rocks. There are two opinions that the deposition age is close to the Devonian or the Permian period. The provenance of this formation is supposed to be South China block, Chinese collisional belt, or Gyeonggi Massif. Given the available detrital zircon ages of the Taean Formation and other Korean (meta)sedimentary rocks, the Taean Formation shares major source rocks with Yeoncheon Group and Pibanryeong Unit of the Okcheon Supergroup, but their source regions are not entirely consistent. Considering the existing hypotheses about the depositional timing and provenance, we put weight on the possibility that the Taean Formation was deposited between Permian and Early Triassic periods. However, further studies on the stratigraphy and sedimentary petrology are needed to clarify its definition and to elucidate the provenance.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.91-106
• /
• 2019

The Donghachong tomb from Royal Tombs at Neungsanri is composed of 15 sides including the floor, and the most highly proportion of rock, two-mica granite, are used on the 7 sides (46.6%). Also, augen gneiss consist with another 3 sides (20.0%), and each of the remaining 3 sides (6.7%) are made up of granodiorite, gneissous granite and leucocratic granite, all of which were used to comprise the tabural stone. Meanwhile, the two floors of the burial chamber and the front chamber, are made up of brick-shaped amphibole schist (13.3%). These rocks are occurred in the Buyeo area and their provenance sites are located at the side of Guemgang river. The Memorial Stone for Liu Renyuen in Tang China is a typical augen gneiss showing distinct schistosity and augen texture. This rock has the same petrographic characteristics with the rocks used to build the Donghachong tomb, Sanjikri dolmens and Setapri pagoda in Buyeo. This augen gneiss is distributed from the Jeungsanri in Buyeo to Dukjiri in Gongju as a large scaled rock body, and where currently are the quarries to produce stone aggregates, garden and landscape rocks. Thus, it is highly probable that the site around Buyeo was the source area of augen gneisses since the Bronze Age. However, while augen gneiss is easier to form into shapes it should have disadvantages when it comes to painting on the tomb wall because of their petrographic characteristics of low strength and dark color. Therefore, it is very intriguing to investigate which transportation method the people of Baekje chose with consideration of the distance and terrain, efficiency and convenience.