• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.93-108
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• 2013

This study is aimed to prepare the effective detail survey methods(Phase II) of abandoned metal mines through the contamination assessment for mine types and facilities in the abandoned metal mine areas. The study sites of 12 abandoned mines are located in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do and those were chosen among 310 sites that the Phase II survey was conducted from 2007 to 2009 after considering the results of Phase I for abandoned mines scattered all over the country. 12 study sites were classified into four types; Type I sites only have pit mouth. Type II sites have pit mouth and mine-waste field. Type III sites have pit mouth and tailing sorting field. Type IV sites have pit mouth, tailing sorting field and concentrator(s). In forest land, paddy soil and farm land of Type I, As and Cd were showed average concentration, and Cu and Pb were high on the pit mouth area in one mines where the pit mouth was developed within 500 m. In the mines of Type II, Cu and Pb were showed average concentration too, but As and Cd were slightly high in pit mouth and mine-waste field. The mines of Type III which had grinding particle process through physical separation milling or hitting showed similar tendency with Type II. However, mines of Type IV pit mouth, mine-waste field and showed various results depending on defining the contamination sources. For example, if contamination source was pit mouth, the mixed results of Type I, II, II were showed. In tailing sorting field which was regarded as the most important source and having high mobility, however, if there were no facilities or it was difficult to access directly, field sampling was missed occasionally during phase I and phase II survey. For that reason, the assessment for tailing sorting field is missed and it leads to completely different results. In the areas of Type I mines, the concentration of heavy metals exceeded precautionary standards of soil contamination or not within 1,000 meters of pit mouth. Nickel(Ni) was the largest factor of the heavy metal contamination in this type. The heavy metals except Arsenic(As) were shown high levels of concentration in Type II areas, where pit mouth and mine-waste field were operated for making powder in upriver region; therefore, to the areas in the vicinity of midstream and downstream, the high content of heavy metals were shown. The tendency of high level of heavy metals and toxic materials contained in flotation agent used during sorting process were found in soil around sorting and tailing field. In the abandoned-pit-mouth area, drygrinding area and tailing sorting field area, the content of Cupper(Cu) and Zinc(Zn) were higher than other areas. Also, the contaminated area were larger than mine reclamation area(2,000 m) and the location of tailing sorting field was one of the important factors to estimate contaminated area.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.733-737
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• 2012

The objectives of this study were to investigate soil chemical properties for forest rehabilitation and suggest design and management in abandoned coal mine areas in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Total study sites were 10 sites, and soil analysis particular were soil pH, TOC, total-N, C/N ratio, A.v. $P_2O_5$, and CEC. Because most of study sites showed soil pH from 5.0 to 7.0, it seems that soil pH does not affect growth of vegetation. But soil pH in Danbong1 was acidic (pH 4.6), so it is needed to improve with ameliorant such as limestone. Most of study sites is necessary to manage for organic matter and Nitrogen, because there sites showed lower value of TOC and total-N than general forest. The values of A.v. $P_2O_5$ and CEC were good in most of study sites, so it seems that they do not have effect on vegetation growth. All of soil factors has no regression according to elapsed time after rehabilitation. TOC, total-N and A.v. $P_2O_5$ among soil properties have positive relationship between each other. It is necessary to fertilizer for organic matter and Nitroge because of value in TOC, total-N and C/N ratio. The results of this study were analyzed only one time. So, long-term monitoring for soil properties is important for the correct forest rehabilitation and management.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.744-750
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• 2015

The objectives of this study were to investigate soil chemical characteristics for forest rehabilitation and suggest management in abandoned coal mine areas in Boryeong City, Chungcheongnam-do. Total study sites were seven sites, and soil properties analyzed were soil pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total-N, C/N ratio, and available $P_2O_5$ (A.v. P). Average soil pH (range) was 5.9 (4.5~7.0). Three study sites (Samgwang, Shinsung1, and Shimwon1) showed lower soil pH than standard (pH 5.6~7.3) of Korea Industrial Standards (KS) for abandoned coal mine forest rehabilitation. Average contents of TOC, and total-N were 1.5% (0.1~4.7%), and 0.10% (0.03~0.23%), respectively. Five study sites where the collapsed time was less than 10 years (Wangjashingang, Wonpoong, Samgwang, Shinsung1, and Shinsung2) showed lower TOC level than standard of KS (more than 1.2%). Wangjashingang, Wonpoong, Samgwang, and Shinsung1 showed lower level of total-N than standard of KS (more than 0.09%). C/N ratio of six study sites except Shimwon1 was out of proper range (15:1~30:1). Average A.v. P (range) was $20.7mgkg^{-1}$ (4.8~63.1), less than other abandoned coal mine fores rehabilitation areas in Mungyong City, and Hwasun-gun. TOC, total N and A.v. P increased with elapsed time from forest rehabilitation, while other soil properties did not show distinct pattern. Betula platyphylla was planted in Samkwang and Sinsung where soil pH was less than KS standard. Because the growth of Betula platyphylla can be limited in acid soil, it is necessary to neutralize soil pH to proper level with some soil amendment such as lime or shell of oyster. Furthermore, TOC, total-N and A.v. P in early stage of forest rehabilitation showed lower level than proper to vegetation growth. Therefore it needs continuous monitoring of soil characteristics and fertilization for vegetation growth and influx from surrounding forest in early stage of rehabilitation.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2015

Acid mine drainage (AMD) producing mine tailings can be beneficially recycled to generate electricity by applying fuel cell technology. Pyrite-containing mine tailings and indigenous bacteria from abandoned mine areas were used to construct fuel cells to investigate the effect of pyrite contents and the presence of iron-oxidizing bacteria. The results showed an enhanced electrical performance with a higher content of pyrite in mine tailings. The inoculation of the indigenous bacteria also enhanced the current density by about three times, and the power density by about 10 times. Overall, this study shows that the combined use of the ecological function of indigenous bacteria from mine areas and mine-tailings in fuel cells does not only contribute to reducing harmful effects of mine tailings but also generate electricity.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1010-1015
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• 2011

The objectives of this study were to investigate soil chemical characteristics for forest rehabilitation and suggest management in abandoned coal mine areas in Hwasun-gun, South Jeolla Province. Total study sites were 8 sites, and soil analysis particular were soil pH, TOC, total-N, C/N ratio, Avail. $P_2O_5$, and CEC. Average soil pH was 5.8 (4.7~6.4). Average contents of TOC, total-N and C/N ratio were 1.1% (0.2~2.0%), 0.08% (0.02~0.13%) and 15.0 (7.9~31.4), respectively. Average Avail. $P_2O_5$ was $8.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ (2.7~15.0) and Average CEC was $13.7cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$ ($9.9{\sim}18.5cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$). Soil pH was decreased according to elapsed time from forest rehabilitation, while TOC, total N and CEC were increased. Av. $P_2O_5$ did not show any relationship with elapsed time. Soil pH was stable comparing with general forest soil in South Jeolla Province (5.1), while contents of TOC and total N were lower than general forest soil in South Jeolla Province (4.9% and 0.18%, respectively). Therefore, sustainable managements such as fertilization for TOC and total N are necessary for good rooting and growth of vegetation.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1002-1008
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• 2011

The mine-detection system, which is one of the various mission equipments for Ground Vehicle System, detects mine under the ground. The mine detection sensors comprised of Metal Detection(MD) sensor and Ground Penetration Radar(GPR) are attached on the end of the multi-DOF manipulator. The manipulator moves the sensor to sweep mine areas keeping the pre-determined distance between the sensor and ground to enhance mine detection performance. The detection system can be operated automatically, semi-automatically and manually. When the detection system is operated automatically, the sensor should avoid collisions with unexpected obstacles which may exist on the ground. Two types of ultra-sonic sensors were developed for the mine detection sensor system to keep the appropriate gap between sensor and the ground to avoid the obstacles. Also, mine place marking device was developed.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.481-490
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• 2003

The objectives of this study are (1) to determine the extent and degree of As contamination of the water and sediments influenced by mining activity of the abandoned Au-Ag mines, (2) to examine As speciation In contaminated water, (3) to monitor variation of As contamination in water system throughout the dry and wet seasons, and (4) to investigate the As chemical form in the sediments through the sequential extraction analyses. Natural water(mine water, surface water and groundwater) and sediments were collected in six abandoned Au-Ag mine(Au-bearing quartz veins) areas. The contamination level of As in mine water of the Dongil(524${\mu}m$/L) is more higher than the tolerance level(500 ${\mu}m$/L) for waste water of mine area in Korea. Elevated levels of As in stream water were also found in the Dongil(range of 63.7∼117.6 ${\mu}m$/L.) and Gubong(range of 56.1∼62.9 ${\mu}m$/L) mine areas. Arsenic contamination levels in groundwater used by drinking water were more significant in the Dongil(11.3∼63.5 ${\mu}m$/L), Okdong(0.2∼68.9 ${\mu}m$/L) and Gubong(2.0∼101.0${\mu}m$/L) mine areas. Arsenate[As(V), $H_2AsO_4^-$] is more dominant than arsenite[As(III), $H_3AsO_3$] in water system of the most mine areas. The concentration ratios of As(III) to As(total), however, extend to the 95% in stream water of the Okdong mine area and 70∼82% in groundwater of the Okdong and Dongjung mine areas. As a study of seasonal variation in the water system, relatively high levels of As from the dongil mine area were found in April rather than in September. Sequential extraction analysis showed that As was predominantly present as coprecipitated with Fe hydroxides from sediment samples of the Dongjung and Gubong mine(35.9∼40.5%), which indicates its possibility of re-extraction and inducing elevated contamination of As in the reductive condition. In sediments from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwachon mine area, high percentage(55.2∼83.4%) of As sulfide form was found.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1994.10a
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• pp.111-114
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• 1994

This study is aimed for reusing the mine wastes as aggregates for concrete. In this part, the test results by analyzing the several properties in case of reusing the mine waste as mortar and concrete aggregates show that compressive strength has the similar value, although there are a little differences according to the mines and producing areas.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.535-545
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• 2005

Environmental survey from some abandoned metal mine areas was undertaken on to assess the risk of adverse health effects on human exposure to arsenic influenced by past Au-Ag mining activities. Elevated levels of As were found in tailings from the studied mine areas. This high concentration may have a impact on soils and waters around the tailing piles. In order to perform the human risk assessment, chemical analysis data of soils, rice grains and waters fur As have been used. The HQ values fer As via the rice grain and groundwater consumption were significantly higher compared with other exposure pathways in all metal mine areas. However, there were minimal soil and water dermal contact risks. The resulting Hl values of As from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwacheon mine areas were higher than 5.0, and their toxic risk due to drinking water and rice grain was strong in these mine areas. The cancer risk of being exposed to As by the rice grain route from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwacheon mine areas was $5.2\times10^{-4},\;6.0\times10^{-4}\;and\;8.1\times10^{-4}$, respectively. The As cancer risk via the exposure pathway of drinking water from these mine areas exceeded the acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 fer regulatory purposes. Thus, the daily intakes of groundwater and rice grain by the local residents from the Dongil, Okdong and Hwacheon mine areas can pose a potential health threat if exposed by long-term arsenic exposure.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.387-399
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• 2018

Mine reclamation project is closely related to human's past mining activities and the current human's living environment. It is a reason for the national management. In order to efficiently carry out mine reclamation projects, a precise investigation and analysis of the underground space of the abandoned mine is required. Korea MINE RECLAMATION Corp. is developing a practical technology that is effective in investigating and actually measuring underground cavities. MIRECO EYE system is an exploration equipment for 3D digitization and figuration of underground cavities. As combining a laser, sonar and image acquisition technology, it enables access to information about inaccessible underground cavities and effective management of subsidence risk of mined area. and currently it is also utilized for various purposes in related areas such as investigating urban sinkholes. This article is precise numerical and geometric information analysis obtained through MIRECO EYE system.