• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.711-717
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• 2017

A fundamental study was conducted on the dissolution of North Korean magnesite using hydrochloric acid to understand the dissolution behavior of the magnesium and impurities. The influence of the acid concentration, particle size of the magnesite, reaction temperature, and pulp density on the dissolution of magnesium, iron, calcium, aluminum, and silicon dioxide was studied. The experimental results showed that 98.5% of magnesium, 86.9% of iron, 87.3% of calcium, 23.6% of aluminum, and 20.4% of silicon dioxide were dissolved when magnesite particle sizes within the range of $75{\sim}105{\mu}m$ were reacted using 3 M HCl solution under 6% pulp density at 363 K for 3 h. The residues that remained after the dissolution were silicon dioxide, talc, and clinochlore.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.767-785
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• 2021

World-class magnesite deposits are developed in the Dashiqiao mineralized district of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt in China. This belt extends to the northern side of the Korean Peninsula and hosts major magnesite deposits in the Dancheon region of North Korea. Magnesite ores from the Pailou deposits in the Dashiqiao district is classified into pure magnetite, chlorite-magnetite, chlorite-talc-magnetite, and dolomite groups depending on the constituent minerals. According to the result of petrographic study, magnesite was formed by the alteration of dolomite, and, talc, chlorite, and apatite were produced as late-stage alteration minerals that replaced the magnesite. Fluid inclusions observed in magnesite are a liquid-type inclusion, with a homogenization temperature of 121-250 ℃ and a salinity of 1.7-22.4 wt% NaCl equiv. The chlorite geothermometer, indicating the temperature of hydrothermal alteration, is 137~293 ℃, slightly higher than the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, and the pressure is calculated to be less than 3.2 kb. For magnesite mineralization in the study area, the initially formed-dolomite was subjected to replacement by Mg-rich fluid to form a magnesite ore body, and then it was enriched through regional metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration. It seems that altered minerals such as talc were crystallized by Si and Al-rich late-stage hydrothermal fluids. These results are similar to the genetic environments of the Daeheung deposit, a representative magnesite deposit in North Korea, and it is believed that the two deposits went through a similar geological and ore genetic process of magnesite mineralization.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2005

Worldwide magnesium market has been considerably growing recently due to adoption as light materials for automobile engines and electronic devices such as mobile phones. In this study, it is to prepare magnesium oxide, which is the first-step product in smelting of magnesium from the ore, using magnesite of Yongyanag mines in North Korea as raw ores. MgO grade of the magnesite was about 45 wt%, and SiO$_2$, CaO, Al$_2O_3$ and Fe$_2O_3$ were contained as impurities. The sample ore was crushed, classified and thermally analyzed to determine its calcination temperature. The sample of 45-75 ${\mu}m$ size was calcined at 600-900$^{\circ}C$, and effect of temperature on calcination and change of the particle shape was investigated. Optimum temperature of the calcination was about 750$^{\circ}C$, and 30 minutes was sufficient to obtain over 99% conversion. The purity of the calcined MgO was about 95 wt%.

• Journal of the Korean Professional Engineers Association
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1-9
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• 2005

The Republic of Korea (South) and the Peaples Republic of Korea (North) had agreed to exploit the North Korean rich natural resources starting from the year of 2006. Through this mutual agreement DPRK shall quarantee ROK's investment in the North Korean Mines and supply mineral products for the compasation of the financial investment supported by ROK. In the area of northern part of Korea, many kind of natural resources such as Magnesite, Iron, Gold & Silver, Copper, Lead & Zinc, and Coal are plentifully deposited. In the area of southern part of Korea, however, most kind of natural resources have been exhausted and so presently major minerals such as Gold & Silver, Copper, Lead & Zinc and Coal are being imported and relying on foreign countries in whole quantity of the requirement. On the other hand Northern Part of Korea is making very slow progress in mining and exploitation owing to the lack of investment even though there are rich deposits of natural resources. And in Southern Part of Korea, they have most advanced production facilities and technologies in the world in the fields of Mineral Floatation, Steel Manufacturing, Nonferrous Metal Smelting & Refining and those plants fabrications. A combination of Southern Technologies together with Financial Support and Northern rich natural resources & Labour Power will be a most hopeful, desirable and mutually required 'South-North economic Cooperation' as the mining industries are labour intensive.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.291-300
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• 2013

The potential mineral resources in North Korea are magnesite, limestone, coal, graphite, iron, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. North Korea is mainly exporting coal and iron to China(70%) and EU countries. Gold ore reserves(or resources) in North Korea are about 2,000 tons and annual production is 2 tons based on metal. Major gold mines are Sooan, Holdong, and Daeyoodong mines and six smelters are operating. Fe ore reserves (or resources) are 4.3 billion tons and annual production is about 5 million tons based on 63.5% Fe. Major iron mines are Moosan, Leewon, Eunryul, Shinwon, and Jaeryong and 7 smelters are operating. Pb and Zn ore reserves(or resources) are Pb 470,000 tons and Zn 15 million tons, and annual productions are about Pb 26,000 tons and Zn 50,000 tons based on metal respectively. Major Pb-Zn mines are Gumdock and Seongcheon mines. Magnesite ore reserves(or resources) are 2.8 billion tons (95% MgO) and annual production is about 150,000 tons. Major magnesite mines are Ryongyang, Daeheung Youth and Ssangryong mines, and 5 magnesium refractory factories are operating. Apatite ore reserves(or resources) are 340 million tons(30% $P_2O_5$) and annual production is about 300,000 tons(crude ore). Major apatite mines are Daedaeri, Dongam and Poongnyen mines. Coal is established as an important strategic fuel mineral resources and is a major energy source in North Korea. Coal ore reserves(or resources) are 18.6 billion tons and annual production is about 20 million tons. The main coal fields is located in southern Pyongan and the Jigdong mine is the biggest in North Korea.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.2 s.171
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• pp.197-206
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• 2005

North Korea is plentiful in the mineral resources as magnesite, gold, zinc, iron, rare metal, and coal resources compared to South Korea and has 6 industrial zones which are located nearby to the mineralized areas. The industrial zones are provided with a sound infrastructures and accumulation of advanced technology. As a huge mineral and energy consuming country, South Korea imports mineral and coal resources equivalent to almost 8 trillion won annually. Inter-Korean cooperation for development of mineral resources in North Korea will be improved by the practical use of the North Korea's plentiful mineral resources, infiastructures related to development and refinement, and basic geo-technology, which would be considered toward combining with South Korean capital and Russian geo-technologies.