• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.4-21
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• 2019

In this paper, 23 Silla gold earrings from the sixth and seventhand centuries, excavated from the Yeongnam region, were analyzed. Based on the silver content of the gold plate, they were classified into three types. The classifications included type I(20-50wt%), type II(10-20wt%) and type III (less than 10wt%). In the analysis process, the composition and morphological differences were identified on the surface of the gold plate. In the case of type I and II earrings, it was observed that the fine holes were concentrated in a relatively higher part of the gold content. The causes of the difference in the surface composition of the gold plate were divided into four categories: 1) surface treatment, 2) thermal diffusivity in the manufacturing process, 3) differences in composition of alluvial gold, and 4) the refining method of gold. It is possible that depletion gilding was attempted to increase the gold content while intentionally removing the other metals from the surface of the gold alloy in the portion where the gold deposit is relatively concentrated on the surface of the gold plating. The highest copper content was detected in the earring with the highest gold content of the analyzed earrings, and it was assumed that thermal diffusion had occurred between the gold plate and the metal rod during the manufacturing process rather than intentional addition. Copper was detected only in the thin ring earring type, and copper was not detected in the thick ring earring type or pendant type. It also proves that this earring has a high degree of tightness at higher temperatures, as there was an invisible edge finish on other earrings and horizontal wrinkles on the gold plate surface. In terms of the material of the gold plate, we examined whether the silver content of the gold plate was natural gold or added by alloy through analyzing the alluvial gold collected in the region. As a result of the analysis, it was found that on average about 13wt% of silver is included. This suggests that type II is natural gold, type III is refined gold, and type I seems to have been alloyed with natural gold. Here, we investigated the refining method introduced in the ancient literature, both at home and abroad, about the possibility of alloying silver after the refining process of type III earrings and then making pure gold. It was found that from ancient refining methods, silver which had been present in the natural gold was removed by reacting and combining with silver chloride or silver sulfide, and long-term efforts and techniques were required to obtain pure gold through this method. Therefore, it was concluded that the possibility of adding a small amount of silver in order to increase strength after making pure gold through a refining process is low.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.303-314
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• 1989

The electrum-silver-sulfide mineralization of the Geojae island area was deposited in three stages (I, II, and carbonate) of quartz and calcite veins that crosscut Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks and granodiorite(83 m.y.). Stages I and II were terminated by the onset of fractunng and breCCIation events. Fluid inclusion data suggest that the gold-sulfide-bearing stages I and II each evolved from an initial high temperature( near $370^{\circ}C$) to a later low temperature(near $200^{\circ}C$). Each of those stages represented a separate mineralizing system which cooled prior to the onset of the next stage. The relationship between homogenization temperature and salinity in stages I and II suggests a complex history of boiling, cooling and dilution. Evidence of boiling indicates a pressure of < 100 bars, corresponding to a depth of 500 to 1,250m assummg hthostatlc and hydrostatic pressure regimes, respectively. Fluid inclusion and mineralogical evidence suggest that the electrum-silver mineralization was deposited at a temperature of $220-260^{\circ}C$ from ore fluids with salinities between 1.9 and 8.1 equivalent wt.% NaCl. Total sulfur concentration is estimated to be $10^{-3}$ to $10^{-4}$ molal. The estimated $fs_2$ and $fo_2$ range from $10^{-11.8}$ to $10^{-14}$ atm and $10^{-35}$ to $10^{-36}$ atm, respectively. The chemical conditions indicate that the dominant sulfur species in the ore forming fluids was a reduced form($H_2S$). Rapid cooling and dilution of ore-forming fluids by mixing with less-evolved meteoric waters led to gold-silver deposition through the breakdown of the bisulfide complex($Au(HS)_2$) as the activity of $H_2S$ decreased.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.2 s.52
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• pp.115-124
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• 2007

Electrum-sulfide mineralization of the Youngbogari mine area occurred in two stages of massive quartz veins that fill the fractures along the fault/shear zones in the Precambrian gneiss. Ore mineralogy is simple, consisting of arsenopyrite $(31.4{\sim}33.4atom.%As)$, pyrite, sphalerite $(4.1{\sim}17.6mole%FeS)$, galena, chalcopyrite, argentite, and electrum. Electrum $(60.3{\sim}87.6atom.%Ag)$ is associated with galena, chalcopyrite and late sphalerite infilling the fractures in quartz and sulfides. Fluid inclusion data show that ore mineralization was formed from $H_2O-CO_2-CH_4-NaCl$ fluids $(X_{CO2+CH4}=0.0\;to\;0.2)$ with low salinities (0 to 10wt.% eq. NaCl) at temperatures between $200^{\circ}\;and\;370^{\circ}C$. Gold-silver mineralization occurred later than the base-metal sulfide deposition, at temperatures near $250^{\circ}C$ and was probably a result of cooling and decreasing sulfur fugacity caused by sulfide precipitation and/or $H_2S$ loss through fluid unmixing.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.202-208
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• 2021

Induced polarization (IP) was first published in a Korean academic journal in 1973, and it was soon applied to coal and metal ore exploration. Then, in universities and research institutes, IP modeling studies using the finite element approach and experimental studies on IP responses for artificial samples were conducted. In the mid-1980s, the spectral IP (SIP) measurement module was introduced to Korea, and physical scale modeling and inversion approaches were developed. Due to the decline of the mineral resource industry, this method was not actively applied. However, the SIP method was not applied In the 1990s, IP exploration was applied in the investigation of hydrothermal deposits of sulfide minerals and bentonite mineralization zones, as well as to areas where the groundwater was contaminated by intruding seawater. In the 2000s, three-dimensional inversion of the IP approach was developed, and high-precision geophysical exploration was required to secure domestic and overseas mineral resources, so SIP experiments on rock samples and approaches for field exploration were developed. The SIP approach was proven useful for the exploration of metal deposits containing sulfide minerals by applying it to explore the mineralization zone of gold-silver deposits in the Haenam region. The IP method is considered to be effective in exploring critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, and nickel) in high-tech industries. It also is expected to be useful for environmental and geotechnical investigations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.409-412
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• 2003

Total extraction of stream sediments in the Kwangyang mine area shows their significant pollution with most trace metals such as Cr, Co, Fe, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn and Cd, due to sulfide oxidation in waste dumps. Calculations of enrichment factor shows that Chonam-ri creek sediments are more severely contaminated than Sagok-ri sediments. Using the weak acid (0.1N HCl) extraction and sequential extraction techniques, the transport and sediment-water partitioning of heavy metals in mine drainage were examined for contaminated sediments in the Chonam-ri and Sagok-ri creeks of the Kwangyang Au-Ag mine area. Calculated distribution coefficient (Kd) generally decreases in the order of Pb $\geq$Al > Cu > Mn > Zn > Co > Ni $\geq$ Cd. Sequential extraction of Chonam-ri creek sediments shows that among non-residual fractions the Fe-Mn oxide fraction is most abundant for most of the metals. This indicates that precipitation of Fe hydroxides plays an important role in regulating heavy metal concentrations in water, as shown by field observations.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.261-271
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• 1987

Muguk gold deposits are composed of quartz veins emplaced along faults in Mesozoic granodiorite. General strikes and dips of the veins are $N15{\sim}20^{\circ}W$ and $70{\sim}80^{\circ}NE$. Associated ore minerals are pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, native silver, argentite, tetrahedrite and electrum. Vein mineral paragenesis is complicated by repeated fracturing, but five distinct depositional stages can be recognized. Electrum grains are associated mainly with sulfide bands formed along both margins of pale pink quartz of stage 3, and with patches of pyrite aggregate of stage 4. Before the close down in 1972, Muguk gold mine yielded more than 8 tons of gold of which major portion was produced from the No.2 vein. No.2 vein, extending about 1,500m laterally, was exploited to a depth of about 750m. In 1984, Young-poong mining company acquired the mining property and began geologic mapping, geochemical and geophysical exploration, diamond drilling and exploration tunnelling around the mine area to seek for other rich gold-bearing quartz veins. As the Samhyungje vein was disclosed to be the most rich vein, exploration works were focussed on the Samhyungje vein. As of August 1987, 22,338m of diamond drilling and 9,652m of exploration tunnelling have been undertaken. Owing to the successful result of exploration, the Muguk mine commenced normal operation on January 1987, treating 5,500 tons of ore per month.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2004.07a
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• pp.267-270
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• 2004

A silver indium sulfide($AgInS_2$) epilayer was grown by the hot wall epitaxy method, which has not been reported in the literature. The grown $AgInS_2$ epilayer has found to be a chalcopyrite structure and evaluated to be high qualify crystal. From the photocurrent measurement in the temperature range from 30 K to 300 K, the two peaks of A and B were only observed, whereas the three peaks of A, B, and C were seen in the PC spectrum of 10 K. These peaks. are ascribed to the band-to-band transition. The valence band splitting of $AgInS_2$ was investigated by means of the photocurrent measurement. The crystal field splitting, $\ddot{A}cr$, and the spin orbit splitting, $\ddot{A}so$, have been obtained to be 0.150 eV and 0.009 eV at 10 K, respectively. And, the energy band gap at room temperature has been determined to be 1.868 eV. Also, the temperature dependence of the energy band gap, $E_g(T)$, was determined.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Gold mineralization of Samjeong and Yongjang gold mines in Uichang area shows characteristics of Bonanza-type gold deposits. Ores are mainly developed along the contact parts between quartz vein and arkosic sandstone beds(Fe-rich bed) in sedimentary rock. Electrum, silver sulfide and sulfate minerals are mainly in the ores. On the other hand, gold mineralization is less developed in cherty rock and andesitic rock than arkosic sandstone. The study highlights characteristics of gold precipitation in the deposit on the basis of numerical modelling of the reactions between the assumed hydrothermal ore fluids with multicomponent heterogeneous equilibrium calculations. Aqueous species, gases and minerals, containing electrum are included in the calculations. The reaction result between hydrothermal ore fluids and arkosic sandstone show that pH increasing in the ore-forming fluid would trigger precipitation of quartz, chlorite, sericite, chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite, electrum, actinolite and feldspar. The numerical modelling also illustrates the drastic increase of pH and desulfidation lead to precipitation of electrum. Ag/Au ratios in the ore vary with pH conditions and subsequently precipitation of silver-bearing sulfides such as acanthite and polybasite. The modelling of the reaction between andesitic rock and ore-forming fluid shows that mineral assemblages of the case are analogous to ones of the reaction between arkosic sandstone and fluid except the latter has little portion of electrum. The abovementioned modelling results suggest that gold-silver mineralization is bounded by host rocks at the study area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.115-131
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• 1992

Late Cretaceous (90.5 Ma), epithermal gold-silver vein mineralization of the Weolseong and Samchang mines in the Sulcheon area, 60 km southeast of Taejeon, can be separated into two distinct stages (I and II) during which fault-related fissures in Precambrian gneiss and Cretaceous (102 Ma) porphyritic granite were filled. Fluid inclusion and mineralogical data suggest that quartz-sulfide-electrum-argentite-forming stage I evolved from initial high temperatures $({\approx}340^{\circ}C})$ to later lower temperatures $({\approx}140^{\circ}C})$ at shallow depths of about 400 to 700 m. Ore fluid salinities were in the range between 0.2 and 6.6 wt. % eq. NaCl. A simple statistic model for fluid-fluid mixing indicates that the mixing ratio (the volumetric ratio between deep hydrothermal fluids and meteoric water) systematically decreased with time. Gold-silver deposition occurred at temperatures of $230{\pm}40^{\circ}C$ mainly as a result of progressive cooling of ore-forming fluids through mixing with less-evolved meteoric waters. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values of hydrothermal fluids indicate meteoric water dominance, approaching unexchanged meteoric water values. The geologic, mineralogic, and geochemical data from the Weolseong and Samchang mines are similar to those from other Korean epithermal gold-silver vein deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.433-444
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• 1993

Electrum (32~73 atom. % Ag)-sulfide mineralization of the Bodeok mine in the Boseong area was deposited in two stages of mineralogically simple, massive quartz veins that fill the fractures along fault shear zones in Precambrian gneiss. Radiometric dating indicates that mineralization is Late Jurassic age ($155.9{\pm}2.3$ Ma). Fluid inclusion data show that ore mineralization was formed from $H_2O-CO_2$ fluids with variable $CO_2$ contents ($X_{CO_2}=0.0$ to 0.7) and low salinities (0.0 to 7.4 wt. % eq. NaCl) at temperatures between $200^{\circ}$ and $370^{\circ}C$. Evidence of fluid unmixing ($CO_2$ effervescence) indicates pressures up to 1 kbar. Gold-silver deposition occurred later than base-metal sulfide deposition, at temperatures near $250^{\circ}C$ and was probably a result of cooling and decreasing sulfur activity caused by sulfide precipitation and/or $H_2S$ loss (through fluid unmixing). Calculated sulfur isotope compositions of ore fluids (${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}=1.7$ to 3.3‰) indicate an igneous source of sulfur in hydrothermal fluids. Measured and calculated O and H isotope compositions of ore fluids (${\delta}^{18}O_{water}=4.8$ to 7.2‰, ${\delta}D_{water}=-73$ to -76‰) indicate that mesothermal auriferous fluids at Bodeok were likely mixtures of $H_2O-rich$, isotopically evolved meteoric waters and magmatic $H_2O-CO_2$ fluids.