• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.155-166
• /
• 1993

Gold contents with major and trace elements have been determined in 67 fresh igneous and altered wall rocks in the acid-sulfate alteration zone of the Ogmaesan-Seongsan pyrophyllite deposits in the Haenam area of the south-western part of Korean peninsula. The results are as follows; (1) Li contents have a tendency to show high value in dickite and altered rocks with dickite, while As, Mo and Sb contents have tendencies to show high values in alunite vein and silicified zone. F contents are higher in the altered rocks compared to fresh rocks. (2) Gold contents are enriched in alunite vein and silicified zone of the Seongsan deposit, but depleted in dickite and altered rock with dickite. Gold contents are especially concentrated in fault or conjunction area of two faults. (3) Gold contents are higher values in the mineral assemblages of alunite-quartz-pyrite and alteration zone of the Seongsan deposit among the studied deposits. (4) Gold contents in samples of silicified zones tend to show positive correlations with Ag, As, Co, Hg, Sb and V content, but negative correlations with Y and Zr contents, while on the other gold contents of silicified tuffs tend to show positive correlations with Hg and Sb contents. Therefore it is important to survey alunite vein and silicified zone at the conjunction of faults, and to analyze pathfinder elements such as Ag, As, Hg and Sb for geological and geochemical exploration of gold in the studied deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.101-114
• /
• 1992

Occurrences of many kaolin-pyrophyllite deposits in the Youngnam area is related to the Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks, which are widely distributed through southern part from Tongnae-Yangsan to Miryang-Wolsung. The mode of occurrence and genesis of the kaolin-pyrophyllite deposits related to the volcanism was studied. This area is covered by andesitic rocks, rhyolite and rhyolitic welded tuff in ascending order. Lower most andesitic part is almost fresh. The altered rocks in the rhyolitic welded tuff can be classified into the following zones: silicified, pyrophyllite-kaolin, and argillic zone from the center part of ore deposit. The clay deposits occur as irregular massive, layer and funnel type about 5~20 m in width and is accompanied by thin diaspore bed outside of ore shoot. The clays chiefly consist of kaolinite, sericite, pyrophyllite, a little amount of diaspore, alunite, dumortierite, corundum and pyrite. The process of kaolinization-pyrophyllitization has a close relation to a local acidic hydrothermal solution originated from granitic rocks. Acidic hydothermal alteration occurrs mainly in the rhyolitic welded tuff. Initial solution containing $H_2S$ and others was oxidized near the surface and formed hydrothermal sulfuric acid solution.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.327-340
• /
• 1997

Geochemical characteristics of groundwater, based on chemical analyses of 54 water samples, differ among main rocks of Haman formation, Panyawoel formation, andesite and granite in Daegu area in relation to mineralogical and chemical compositions of the rocks. Concentrations of most solutes are higher in groundwaters of Haman and Panyawoel formations than in those of andesite and granite. High concentrations of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ in groundwaters of the sedimentary rocks result mainly from reaction of $CO_2$-charged water with calcite and weathered feldspars. Average groundwaters in the sedimentary rocks are oversaturated with respect to calcite. Major types of groundwaters are hard $Ca(HCO_3)_2$ and $CaSO_2-CaCl_2$ with hardness of 442 mg/l for Haman formation and 275 mg/l for Panyawoel formation whereas they are soft $Ca(HCO_3)_2$ with hardness 35 mg/I for andesite and 39 mg/I for granite. $Ca(HCO_3)_2$ type results mainly from calcite-dissolution and $CaSO_4-CaCl_2$ from pyrite and partly from domestic pollutants. $CaSO_4-CaCl_2$ type may indicate that groundwaters in the sedimentary rocks are more evolved geochemically than those in the igneous rocks, but it is not obvious because the type might be affected by pyrie dissolution and domestic pollutions. Acid rain is buffered by active calcite in the sedimentary rocks. In the igneous rocks acid rain might react with gibbsite and other forms of $Al(OH)_3$ that might have accumulated as weathering products of primary silicates, and is buffered.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.73-82
• /
• 2023

In this study, the optimal method for injection of neutralizer to restraint the leakage of acid drainage in embankment structure composed of pyrite rocks is proposed. Finite Element Analysis was performed to examine the seepage effect caused by injection of neutralizer into the embankment structure. The diameter of the neutralizer injection hole was selected as 50cm, the interval space of injection ranged from 1m to 4m and the injecting pressure ranged from 100kPa to 220 kPa were applied for the numerical analysis. According to the analysis results, the saturation time of the whole embankment structure was shown to be fast at a relatively low injecting pressure in the case of injecting interval space of 1.0m and injecting pressure of 130kPa and in the case of injecting interval space of 2.0m and injecting pressure of 160kPa. When the interval space of injection for saturation of whole embankment structure is selected as 3m, various injection pressures can be applied from 130kPa to 190kPa, and the saturation time of whole embankment is similar regardless of the injection pressure. Therefore, the optimal method for injection of neutralizer considering economic efficiency was selected as injecting interval space of 3.0m and injection pressure of 130kPa.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.367-380
• /
• 1988

Most of the gold (-silver) vein deposits at Yeongdong District are mainly distributed in the precambrian metamorphic rocks. Based on the Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios, the chemical composition of electrum and the associated sulfides, the gold(-silver) deposits at Yeongdong District may be classified into 4 classes: pyrrhotite - type gold deposits( I), pyrite - type gold deposits (IT A; massive vein), pyrite - type gold deposits (II B; nonmassive vein) and argentite - type gold - silver deposits(III). The chemical study on electrum(including native gold) revealed that Au content (2.8 to 92.4 atomic%) of electrums varies very widely for different classes of deposits. The Au content of electrum associated with pyrrhotite (Class I), ranging from 47.1 to 92.4 atomic% Au, is clearly higher than that associated with pyrite (Classes IIA, IIB and III). In contrast, classes I, II, and III deposits do not show clear differences in Au content of electrum. In general, pyrrhotite - type gold deposits(I) are characterized by features such as simply massive vein morphology, low values in the Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios, the absence or rarity of silver - bearing minerals except electrum, and distinctively simple mineralogy. Although the geological and mineralogical features and vein morphology of pyrite - type gold deposits(IIA)are very similar to those of pyrrhotite - type gold deposits (I), Class II A deposits reveal significant differences in the associated iron sulfide (i. e. pyrite) with electrum and Au content of electrum. The Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios from Class II A deposits are relatively slightly higher than those from Class I deposits. Pyrite - type gold deposits(II B) and argentite - type gold - silver deposits (III) have many common features; complex vein morphology, medium to high values in the Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios and the associated iron sulfide (i. e. pyrite). In contrast to Class II B deposits, Class III deposits have significantly high Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios. It indicates distinct difference in the abundance of silver minerals (i. e. native silver and argentite). The fluid inclusion analyses and mineralogical data of electrum tarnish method indicate that the gold mineralization of Classes I and II A deposits was deposited at temperatures between $230^{\circ}$ and $370^{\circ}C$, whereas the gold (-silver) mineralization of Classes ITB and ill formed from the temperature range of $150^{\circ}-290^{\circ}C$. Therefore, Classes I and IT A deposits have been formed at higher temperature condition and/or deeper positions than Classes IIB and III.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.337-347
• /
• 1993

Mineralogical and geochemical studies on some pyrophyllite deposits in Milyang area, Kyeongnam Province (Milyang and Sungjin mine) were carried out in order to investigate dispersion patterns of chemical elements in altered volcanic wallrocks, and to interpret genetic environments of the pyrophyllite deposits. Cretaceous andesitic and tuffaceous rocks, and pyrophyllite ore specimens were collected from the dumps and drilling cores. Andesitic wallrocks were grouped as unaltered and altered rocks in the order of pyrophyllitization. Vertical dispersion patterns and relative mobilities of chemical elements in volcanic wallrocks were discussed. Geochemical environment in the Milyang area is characterized by the occurrence of boron minerals such as dumortierite coexisting with pyrophyllite ores, and tourmaline in granitic rocks. Unaltered andesitic rocks are mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and hornblende, and were propylitized and saussuritized. Altered andesitic rocks are bleached and consist of quartz, sericite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite, chlorite and disseminated pyrite. Pyrophyllite ores are mainly composed of quartz, pyrophyllite, dumortierite, dissemianted pyrite and some diaspore. Enrichment of $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, LOI (loss on ignition), As and Cr, and depletion of $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO and total Fe are characteristic during alteration process. The REE patterns show that the pyrophyllite deposits could be originated from the continental margin volcanics. The $(La/Lu)_{cn}$ ratios of the pyrophyllite ores increase from 4.2~23.2 to 2.67~128.8 owing to strong acidic hydrothermal alteration. Vertical dispersion patterns of $Al_2O_3$, $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO, $Fe_2O_3$ (total Fe), As, Au, Sb, Cr and Sr in the wallrocks show the location of orebodies. Particularly dispersion patterns of $Al_2O_3$ and Cr indicate the extension of orebodies. Anomalous distribution of Au, As and Sb in wallrocks shows potential for gold occurrence below the pyrophyllite deposits. Judging from the relative mobilities of elements in wallrocks, $Al_2O_3$ could be added from hydrothermal solution, and the silicified rone be formed from the excess of $SiO_2$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 1992

Mineral assemblages, mineral chemistries and stable isotope compositions of altered rocks of the Ogmae, Seongsan, Haenam and Gusi mines near the Haenam volcanic field in the southwestern part of the Korea peninsula were studied. Characteristic hydrothermal alteration zones in these deposits occurring in the Cretaceous volcanics and volcanogenic sediments, acidic tuff, and rhyolite, were outlined. Genetic environment with particular reference to the spatial and temporal relationships for these deposits were considered. The alteration zones defined by a mineral assemblage in the Ogmae and Seongsan deposits can be classified as alunite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite or dickite, quartz, illite or illite/smectite. Alunite was not developed in the Gusi and Haenam deposits. Boundaries between the adjacent zones are always gradational except for vein-type alunite. Alteration zones are superimposed upon each other in some localities. These deposits formed $71.8{\pm}2.8{\sim}76.6{\pm}2.9$ Ma ago, which is the almost same age of later volcanic rocks $79.4{\pm}1.7{\sim}82.8{\pm}1.2$ Ma, the Haenam Group, corresponding to Campanian. It indicates that hydrothermal alteration of these deposits appeared to be related to felsic volcanism in the area. Consideration of the stability between kaolinite, alunite, pyrite and pyrophyllite, and the geothermometry based on the mineral chemistry of illite and chlorite suggests that the maximum formation temperature for alunite and pyrophyllite can be estimated at about $250^{\circ}C$ and $240{\sim}290^{\circ}C$, respectively. It also suggests that these deposits were formed by acidic sulfate solution with high aqueous silica and potassium activity in a shallow depth environment. Compositional variation of alunite also suggests that the physico-chemical conditions fluctulated considerably during alteration processes, indicating shallow depth environment. The Haenam deposit was formed at a relatively greater depth than the others. The sulfur isotope composition of alunite and pyrite indicates that sulfur probably had a magmatic source, and the oxygen isotope composition for kaolinite indicates that the magmatic hydrothermal solution was diluted by circulating meteoric water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.183-201
• /
• 1975

The south and southwestern parts of Jeonra-namdo has been known as an alunite province in Korea. The alunite deposits investigated for the present study are Okmaisan, Seongsam, Bugog, Gasado south, Gasado north, Jangsando, Dogcheon and Jungyongri deposits. The main purpose of this study is to depict the genetical origin of the alunite deposits. The rocks distributed in the areas mentioned above consist chiefly of rhyolitic tuff, breccia tuff and andesitic tuff of Cretaceous age which represent different episodes of volcanic activities during Cretaceous epoch. The attitude of bedding of the tuffaceous rocks varies from place to place but generally dips very gently. The alunite deposits are embedded mostly in the rhyolitic tuff so that they appear as layered deposits, this occurrence may be the result of stratigraphic and lithologic controls. The result of this study can be summarized as below. The mineral sequence studied by the mineral paragenesis and the result of the spectrograph anlyses is such that (1) alunite was formed at first and pyrophyllite was nearly contemporaneous with alunite but pyrophyllite formation can be recognized as a secondary mineralization products, (2) kaoline was succeeded to form later and hematite finally deposited, and (3) pyrite was deposited from the begining to the end of the above mineralization period. The compositional change of host rocks is such that CaO, $SiO_2$ and $Na_2O$ were largely removed from the parent rocks and some $Al_2O_3$ and $SO_3$ were transported by the solution so as to enrich the rocks. The sequencial process of such mineralization has resulted in forming those distinguish mineral zones; alunite, kaoline, pyrophyllite, silicifide and sulphide zone which manifest irregular shape. These deposits were formed by hydrothermal solution which was possibly low temperature and contained sulphuric acid originated from $H_2S$ and $SO_2$ gases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2005.03a
• /
• pp.491-498
• /
• 2005

Acid Rock Drainage(ARD) is the product formed by the atmospheric(i.e. by water, oxygen and carbon dioxide) oxidation of the relatively common iron-sulphur minerals pyrite($FeS_2$). ARD causes the acidification and heavy metal contamination of water and soil and the reduction of slope stability. In this study the generation characteristics and the prediction of ARD of various road cut slopes were studied. An attempt to classify the rocks into several groups according to their acid generation potentials was made. Acid Base Accounting(ABA) tests, commonly used as a screening tool in ARD predictions, were performed. Sixteen rock samples were classified into PAF(potentially acid forming) group and four rock samples into NAF(non-acid forming) group. The chemical analysis of water samples strongly suggested that ARD with high content of heavy metals and low pH could pollute the ground water and/or stream water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.27-39
• /
• 1992

Several pyrophyllite deposits occur around the Milyang area where Cretaceous andesitic rocks and spatially related granitic rocks are widely distributed. Pyrophyllite ores consist mainly of pyrophyllite, and quartz with small amount of sericite, pyrite, dumortierite, and diaspore. The andesitic rocks and spatially related granitic rocks in this area suggest that they could be formed from the same series of a calc-alkaline magma series. The contents of $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, LOI(loss on ignition) are enriched, and $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO, $Fe_2O_3$ are depleted in altered andesitic rocks and ores. Enrichment of As, Cr, Sr, V, Sb and depletion of Ba, Cs, Ni, Rb, U, Y, Co, Sc, Zn are characteristic during mineralization. The pyrophyllite ores can be discriminated from the altered-and unaltered wall-rocks by an increasing of $(La/Lu)_{cn}$ from 4.18~22.13 to 8.98~55.05. In R-mode cluster analysis, Yb-Lu-Y, La-Ce-Hf-Th-U-Zr, $TiO_2-V-Al_2O_3$, Sm-Eu, $CaO-Na_2O-MnO$, Cu-Zn-Ag, $K_2O-Rb$ are closely correlated. In the discriminant analysis of multi-element data, $P_2O_5$, As, Cr and $Fe_2O_3$, Sr are helpful to identify the ores from the unaltered-and altered wall-rocks. In the factor analysis, the factors of alteration of andesitic rocks and ore mineralization were extracted. In the change of ions per unit volume, $SiO_2$, $Al^{3+}$ and LOI are enriched and $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ are depleted during the alteration processes. The Milyang and the Sungjin pyrophyllite deposits could be mineralized by hydrothermal alteration in a geochemical condition of low activity ratio of alkaline ions to hydrogen ion with reference to spatially related granitic rocks.