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

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.129-141
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• 2019

The Eoraesan area, Chungju, which is located in the northwestern part of Ogcheon Metamorphic Zone, Korea, mainly consists of the Neoproterozoic Gyemyeongsan Formation and the Mesozoic igneous rocks which intruded it. The metaacidic rocks (MAR) of the Gyemyeongsan Formation show a maximum radioactive value, and the Early Jurassic biotite granite is regionally distributed in this area. In this paper is researched the microstructure related to the growth of rare-earth mineral of allanite in the MAR, and is considered the source and occurrence time of rare-earth element (REE) mineralization. The MAR is mainly composed of alkalic feldspar (mainly microcline), quartz, iron-oxidizing mineral, biotite, muscovite, plagioclase, hornblende, allanite, zircon, epidote, fluorite, apatite, garnet, (clino)zoisite etc. The radioactive elements contained in the allanite cause a dark brown hale in the surrounding biotite, and the allinte also occurs as aggregate along the regional foliation. The deflection of regional foliation and the strain shadows, which are common to the pre-tectonic porphyroblast grown before the formation of regional foliation, can't be observed around most allanites (aggregates). The grain size and orientation of ironoxidizing mineral included in the allanite aggregate are the same as those in the matrix. It is recognized the hydrothermal conversion of hornblende to biotite due to the intrusion of igneous rock, and the secondary biotite occurs and contacts with allanite, zircon, epidote etc. These microstructures indicate that the rare-earth mineral of allanite (aggregate) grew by the hydrothermal alteration due to the intrusion of igneous rock after the formation of regional foliation. It is considered that the REE mineralization is closely related to the intrusion of Early Jurassic biotite granite which is regionally distributed in this area.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2012

Ilmenite mine was developed in the anorthosites which intruded Precambrian Jirisan gneiss complex in Wolheongri, Okjong-myeon, Hadong. Ti-ore bodies are confined to the intercumulated type anorthosites, where REE-bearing allanite occurred as veins. The chemistry of allanites shows relatively low in CaO (11.02~12.81 wt%), but high in ${\Sigma}R_2O_3$ (R = Ce, La, Nd) (17.21~21.58 wt%), respectively. Abnormally high radioactive detection ascribes to the presence of small particles of thorium mineral known as thorite ($ThSiO_4$). Thorite shows 65~72.78 wt% ($ThO_2$) and 5.49~12.78 wt% ($UO_2$) in composition. The radioactive prospecting could be a strong tool to find REE-bearing allanite which is closely associated with Ti-ore deposits.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2018

The U-Pb isotopic and rare earth element compositions of zircon were measured using a SHRIMP from a tonalitic gneiss sample DE43 in Daeijak Island, central Korea. Zircon crystals, up to ${\sim}300{\mu}m$ in diameter, rarely contain thin overgrowth rims. In contrast to Paleoproterozoic cores, the $^{206}Pb/^{238}U$ ages of $256{\pm}23Ma(1{\sigma})$, and $221{\pm}7Ma(1{\sigma})$ were yielded from two spot analyses on the overgrowth rims of zircon. The rims are geochemically characterized by low Th/U ratios (<0.01) and strongly depleted light rare earth elements. The Permian-Triassic apparent ages of zircon are consistent with the $^{208}Pb/^{232}Th$ ages dated from allanite ($227{\pm}7Ma(t{\sigma})$) in the same sample within uncertainties, indicating an equilibrium growth of allanite and zircon at ~227 Ma. On the other hand, the younger $^{208}Pb/^{232}Th$ and $^{206}Pb/^{238}U$ ages ($213{\pm}4Ma(t{\sigma})$ and $186{\pm}9Ma(t{\sigma})$, respectively) of allanite may result from Pb loss due to the infiltration of alkali fluids from Late Triassic and Jurassic granitoids nearby.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 1992

Allanite crystals rich in rare-earth elements(REE) occur in soil developed on top of anorthositic rocks in the Jungsu-ri area of Okjong-myun, Hadong-run, where large Ti orebodies are embedded in the bed rock. In this study allanite is investigated mainly by transmitted light microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, atomic absoption spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrocopy. In addition, its specific gravity and micro=indentation hardness value are measured. Allanite occurs with max. dimension of $3cm{\times}6cm$ and coexists with quartz, epidote, zircon, biotite and muscovite. It shows nearly nonmetamict crystallinity, although ${\alpha}$-particles bombardment from the disintegration of the radioactive element Th is detected by an autoradiography. The allanite is particularly enriched in REE(19.88-23.99 wt.%), but is deficient in CaO(8.35-10.29wt.%). Genesis of the allanite in this area is not understood yet. It is, however, assumed to have been formed from magmatic fluid rich in REE and Ti, based on the facts that it ocexists with zircon and that it has high $TiO_2$(0.89-1.13 wt.%) whose concentration is significant in the country rocks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.151-166
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• 1989

A study of rare-earth mineralization in Kyemyungsan metasedimentary formation of Precambrian Ogcheon Group was carried out in the Mt. Eore Area near Choongju City based on the thorium (Th) and uranium (U) count data of geophysical airborne survey. This rare-earth mineralization was found in the magnetite-bearing banded quartizite which contains diagnostically some amounts of the metamict allanite. The brown colored allanites are distributed as aggregates of fine grains and sometimes banded structures with magnetite (inter growth) along the banding. The ore bed is displaced by the small faults and granite intrusions, and separated 5 ore blocks. The dimensions of the outcrop are 50-80 m in width, 1,500 m in length with the strike of $N70-80^{\circ}E$ and dip of $50-80^{\circ}NW$. In the field, the values of total gamma ray count of GR-101A scintillometer were able to measure more than 400 cps and maximum 1,500 cps, which data are coincided with the values of GR-310 gamma ray spectrometer and the gamma ray count of well logging data. The chemical compositions of the allanites from EPMA data are ranged from$\sum^{TR_2O_3}$ 18.57% to 26.00%, and the cerium oxides ($Ce_2O_3$) of allanite are positive relation with $La_2O_3$, MgO, FeO, MnO and negative relation with $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, $Nd_2O_3$. The result of Neutron Activation Analysis (N.A.A.), Multi-Channel Analysis (M.C.A.) and wet chemistry of 25 outcrop samples for the elements of REE, Zr, U, Th shows strong anomalies. The good correlation elements with the thorium (Th) are the elements of La, Ce, LREE, $TR_2O_3$, Pr, Sm, Yb, Lu by the increasing order.

• Proceedings of the Mineralogical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.63-63
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• 2005

• Geosciences Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.955-973
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• 2018

Twenty-eight beach sand samples from the shorelines of Aegean islands adjacent to the plutonic rocks of the Atticocycladic zone were analyzed for major and rare earth element (REE) contents. Results are compared with the adjacent plutonic rocks, in order to determine relative enrichments or depletions and assess the potential for REE exploitation. Among the samples, several are significantly enriched in REE, being deposits of heavy minerals and their concentrations are controlled by the sea waves and local winds. These samples contain Th, U and REE rich minerals such as zircon, xenotime and allanite. The available geochemical characteristics were also used to confirm the parent rocks of the beach sands. The heavy fractions (total, total magnetic and total non-magnetic) of the beach sands are very well correlated with the Heavy REE (HREE) concentrations. Among the minerals of the heavy magnetic fraction, allanite seems to control the REE content in the heavy mineral-enriched samples, while from the heavy non-magnetic fraction, zircon controls mainly the HREE fraction. One site from Mykonos and 3 from Naxos could have potential for REE exploitation as they present the highest ${\Sigma}REE$ and HREE contents than other beach sand placers measured in Greece (Kavala, Sithonia, Maronia, Samothraki, NE Chalkidiki).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.643-659
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• 2012

The Chungju Fe-REE deposit is located in the Kyemyeongsan Formation of the Ogcheon Group. The Kyemyeongsan Formation includes meta-volcanic rocks and pegmatite hosted REE deposit which show different kind of REE-containing minerals. The meta-volcanic rocks hosted REE deposits' main REE minerals are allanite, zircon, apatite, and sphene, whereas the pegmatite hosted REE deposits is mainly composed of fergusonite, and karnasurtite, zircon, thorite. The meta-volcanic rock hosted major REE mineral is allanite as the form of aggregation and contains 23.89-29.19 wt% TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxide), 4.71-9.92 wt% $La_2O_3$, 11.30-14.33 wt% $Ce_2O_3$, 0.11-0.29 wt% $Y_2O_3$, 0.15-0.94 wt% $ThO_2$, as a formula of (Ca, Y, REE, Th)$_{2.095}$(Mg, Al, Ti, Mn, $Fe^{3+})_{2.770}(SiO_4)_{2.975}(OH)$. Accompanying REE in a coupled substitution for $Ca^{2+}$ (M1 site) and $Al^{3+}-Fe^{2+}$ (M2 site) leads to a large chemical variety. Due to the allanite's high contents of Fe, it belongs to Ferrialanite. The pegmatite hosted deposit's domi-nant REE mineral is fergusonite as prismatic or subhedral grains associated with zircon, fluorite and karnasurtite. Geochemical composition of the fergusonite($YNbO_4$) suggests substitution of Y-REE and Y-Th in A-site, and Nb-Ta-Ti in B-site, furthermore the proportion of $Y_2O_3$ and $Nb_2O_5$ is oddly 1:1.5 comparing to the ideal ratio 1:1 and Nb is higher than Y, also A-site Y actively substitutes with REE. Karnasurtite in pegmatite variously ranges 9.16-22.88 wt% $Ce_2O_3$, 2.15-9.16 wt% and $La_2O_3$, 0.44-10.8 wt% $ThO_2$, as a calculated formula (Y, REE, Th, K, Na, Ca)$_{1.478}(Ti, Nb)_{1.304}$(Mg, Al, Mn, $Fe^{3+})_{0.988}$(Si, P)$_{1.431}O_7(OH)_4{\cdot}3H_2O$. Firstly the 870-860 Ma is the initial age of the supercontinent Rhodinia dispersal and subsequent A-1 type volcanism, which contains Fe, REE, and HFS(High Field Strength elements; Nb, Zr, Y etc.) elements in Fe-rich meta-volcanic rocks dominant Kyemyeongsan Formation, might mineralized allanite. Another synthesis is that regional metamorphism at late Paleozoic 300-280 Ma(Cho et al., 2002) might cause allanite mineralization. Also pegmatite REE mineralization highly related to the granite intrusion over the Chungju area in Jurassic(190 Ma; Koh et al., 2012). Otherwise above all, A-1 type volcanism at the same time of the Kyemyeongsan Formation development, regional metamorphism and pegmatite, might have caused REE mineralization. Although REE ore bodies display a close spatial association, each ore bodies display temporal distinction, different mineral assemblage and environment of ore formation.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 2022

Petrological and mineralogical analyses were conducted to identify minerals containing radioactive elements (uranium) in the Chiaksan gneiss complex and to confirm their association with the surrounding groundwater. Fourteen minerals were identified through the microscopic and electron microscopy (SEMEDS) investigation. The principal minerals included plagioclase, biotite, quartz, alkali feldspar, chlorite, and calcite. Minor minerals were sphene, allanite, apatite, zircon, thorite, titanite, pyrite, and galena. A small amount of thorite was observed in the size of ~1 mm within macrocrystalline allanite. Allanite, which includes a large amount of rare earth elements, appeared in three distinctive patterns. The results of the EPMA analyses indicated that macrocrystalline allanite had higher elemental contents of TiO₂~1.70 wt.%, Ce₂O₃~11.86 wt.%, FeO ~13.31 wt.%, MgO ~0.90 wt.% and ThO₂ ~1.06 wt.% with the lowest average content of Al₂O₃ 17.35 ± 2.15 wt.% (n = 7), CaO 12.13 ± 1.81 wt.% (n = 7). An allanite existing at the edge of the sphenes encompassing titanites had a higher element content of Al₂O₃ ~24.00 wt.%, Nd₂O₃ ~5.10 wt.%, Sm₂O₃~0.66 wt.%, Dy₂O₃~0.86 wt.% and Y₂O₃~1.38 wt.% with the lowest average content of TiO₂ 0.35 ± 0.21 wt.% (n = 11), Ce₂O₃ 5.25 ± 1.03 wt.% (n = 11), FeO 9.84 ± 0.26 wt.% (n = 11), MgO 0.12 ± 0.05 wt.% (n = 11), and La₂O₃ 1.49 ± 0.29 wt.% (n = 11). Allanites in a matrix of parental rocks exhibited intermediate values between the two elemental compositions mentioned above. None of the uranium-rich minerals were observed in the migmatitic gneiss within the study area. Consequently, the origin of uranium in the groundwater was not associated with the geology of the surrounding environment, but our investigation proved the existence of abundant allanites containing significant amounts of radioactive thorium and rare earth elements.