• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.209-221
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• 1988

The ore deposit of the Ohtani mine is one of repesentatives of plutonic tungsten-tin veins related genetically to acidic magmatism of Late Cretaceous in the Inner zone of Southwest Japan. Based on macrostructures of vein filling on the order of ore body, three major mineralization stages, called stage I, stage II, and stage ill from earliest to latest, are distinguished by major tectonic breaks. The alteration zories are characterized by specific mineral associations in pseudomorphs after biotite. The alteration zones can be divided into two parts, i. e. a chlorite zone and a muscovite zone, each repesenting mineralogical and chemical changes produced by the hydrothermal alteration. The chloritic alteration took place at the beginning of mineralization, and muscovite alteration in additions to chloritic alteration took place at stage II and ill. The alteration zones are considered to be formed by either of two alteration mechanism. 1) The zones are formed by reaction of the rock with successive flows of solution of different composition and different stage. 2) The zones are formed contemporaneously as the solution move outward. Reaction between the solution and the wall-rock results in a continuous change in solution chemistry. The migration of the successive replacement of the fresh zone$\rightarrow$the chlorite zone$\rightarrow$the muscovite zone may have transgressed slowly veinward, leaving metasomatic borders between the different zones.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.289-309
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• 1993

Milyang pyrophyllite deposit which was formed by hydrothermal alteration occurs in Late Cretaceous andesitic tuff in the Milyang area, Gyeongsangnamdo. The wall rock alteration and genesis of the Milyang pyrophyllite deposit were studied. The ore minerals are composed dominantly of pyrophyllite accompanied by small amounts of quartz, kaolinite, pyrite, dumortierite and diaspore. The alteration halo of this deposit can be divided into three zones on the basis of mineral assemblage; pyrophyllite, sericite and chlorite zone. The common mineral assemblages of each alteration zone are as follows: (1) pyrophyllite zone; pyrophyllite-quartz-kaolinite-pyrite-dumortierite-diaspore, (2) sericite zone; sericite-quartz-pyrite-kaolinite, and (3) chlorite zone; chlorite-plagioclase-quartz. Major element chemistry shows that characteristic depletion in MgO, CaO, and $Na_2O$ and relative increase in FeO from less altered chlorite zone to extensively altered pyrophyllite zone corresponding to variation in mineral assemblages. The paragenesis of ore minerals, oxygen isotope data, chlorite and illite geothermometry suggest that ore deposit was formed at about $250{\sim}330^{\circ}C$. Both hydrogen and silica activities are high in pyrophyllite zone. Potassium activity increases in sericite zone while hydrogen activity becomes low in chlorite zone. The pyrophyllite zone was formed relatively higher temperature than those of sericite and chlorite zones. The ore fluid was considered to be magmatic water in origin derived from the residual granitic magma which interacted with meteoric water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.397-416
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• 1992

In the present study, three clay deposits, named the Seongsan, Ogmaesan and Haenam deposits, were investigated. The altered zones are recognized in the hydrothermally altered rocks of the clay deposits from the center of the alteration to the margin: Kaolin, Kaolin-Quartz, Quartz, Sericite and Chlorite zones in the Seongsan deposits; Quartz zone, Alunite zone, Kaolin zone, Sericite zone and Chlorite zone in the Ogmaesan deposits; Quartz zone, Pyrophyllite zone, Sericite zone and Chlorite zone in the Haenam deposits. These zones can be grouped into two types of alteration: Acidic alteration such as Pyrophyllite zone, Alunite zone, Quartz zone, Kaolin zone, Kaolin-Quartz zone and a part of Sericite zone; Propylitic alteration such as Chlorite zone and a part of Sericite zone. All clay deposits belong to high-sulfidation (acid-sulfate) system. The rocks of the acidic alterations are composed of pyrophyllite, alunite, kaolin minerals, sericite, quartz and pyrite. On the basis of bulk chemical compositions, it was found that some components such as $SiO_2$, $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$, FeO, MgO, CaO, $K_2O$ and $Na_2O$ were mobilized considerably from the original rocks. The mobility of these major elements is related to, and controls, mineral assemblages in each altered zone. Polytypes of sericite are determined as $2M_1$ and 1M by X-ray diffraction method. The amount of $2M_1$ is nearly equal to that of 1M in the Seongsan deposits whereas $2M_1$ is less and higher than that of 1M in the Ogmaesan and the Haenam deposits. These facts indicate that formation temperature of sericite is relatively high in the Haenam deposits, moderate in the Seongsan deposits, and low in the Ogmaesan deposits. The ratios of Na/(K+Na) for alunite in the Ogmaesan deposits determined by electron microprobe analyzer (EPMA) are higher than those in the Seongsan deposits. Thus, the alunite of the Ogmaesan deposits must have been formed from the solutions with relatively high aqueous Na/(K+Na) ratios and low pH at a high temperature rather than that of the Seongsan deposits. From all data, it is clarified that alunite is hypogene in origin, and has been formed by oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in the steam-heated environment, and that alunite has been produced by the spectacular solfataric alteration observed at the surface of some present-day hydrothermal systems.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.265-280
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• 2003

The Mugeuk mineralized area that associated with the pull-apart type Cretaceous Eumseong basin is composed of several gold-silver vein deposits that are emplaced in late Cretaceous biotite granite. The gold-silver deposits in the area show various hydrothermal alteration zones as well as Au/Ag ratios and ore mineralogy. The Geumbong mine showing relatively high gold fineness is composed of multiple veins and show alteration pattern; vein \longrightarrow phyllic \longrightarrow subphyllic \longrightarrow propylitic \longrightarrow subpropylitic zone. In contrast, The Taegeuk mines show the low fineness values, in far southern part are characterized by increasing tendency of simple and/or stockwork veins. The deposit displays alteration pattern; vein \longrightarrow propylitic \longrightarrow subpropylitic zone. Variations of alteration zone with depth show that phyllic zone are dominant in deeper level and propylitic zone sporadically overlapped by argillic zone are dominant in shallow level. The differences of alteration pattern between the gold-silver deposits are reflect the evolution of the hydrothermal fluids; the ore-forming fluids of the Geumbong mine are at relatively high temperature and salinity and highly-evolved meteoric water, developing phyllic zone, the Taegeuk mine containing greater amounts of less-evolved meteoric waters shows relatively low temperature and salinity in ore-forming fluids, developing propylitic zone. The various physicochemical environment for gold-silver mineralization in the Mugeuk mineralized area is due to proximity from heat source area (Mugeuk mine) to marginal area (Taegeuk mine) in a geothermal field. Therefore, it is suggested that the criteria for project exploration in the area are to focus on the area proximal to heat source and phyllic zone.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.345-351
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• 2017

Acid drainage in civil engineering structures such as tunnels may lead to the deposition of precipitates that clog drainage channels and pipework. In evaluating acid drainage, the Fe content of water and precipitates, indicated by reddish brown coloration of rock surfaces, rivers, and soils, may be an important factor. In this study, acid drainage was evaluated by analyzing the Fe content of reddish brown seepage water that occurred in part of a tunnel. Geological investigations around the tunnel revealed a hydrothermal alteration zone cutting the bedrock, and cropping out in the upper parts of the tunnel. Analysis of drillcore revealed many fracture zones and veins. Inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometric analyses of water, precipitates, and soil samples, collected in the seepage water zone and around the tunnel, were conducted to evaluate acid drainage. The Fe content of seepage water in the tunnel was 0.030-0.333 mg/kg, which is 2-22 times higher than in local groundwater. The Fe content of precipitates in the tunnel was 165,403-301,051 mg/kg, similar to the 206,167-422,964 mg/kg content of drillcore from the hydrothermal alteration zone located above the tunnel. It is concluded that the seepage water is derived from Fe-containing acid drainage flowing in perforated tunnel drainpipes along the fracture zones and veins around the hydrothermal alteration zone.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1994

The Kyungju pyrophyllite deposits were formed by the hydrothermal alteration of andesitic rocks, which were intruded by Cretaceous granite mass. The major minerals are pyrophyllite, kaolinite and chlorite. The deposits may be zoned outward into pyrophyllite zone, silicified pyrophyllite zone and weakly altered zone (propyrilite zone) according to mineral assemblages. Chemical compositions vary in close relation with the mineralogical assemblages: $Al_2O_3$ content is high due to pyrophyllitization at the deposits and altered zones in comparison to andesitic country rocks, while the contents of $Na_2O$, CaO and MgO are generally low due to leaching during the alteration. This variation of chemical elements may be applicable in the geochemical exploration of pyrophyllite deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 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
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.161-181
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• 1990

The lead-zinc-silver-iron deposits from the Janggun mine are of hydrothermal-metasomatic origin, characterized by the marked hydrothermal alteration of the wallrocks, such as hydrothermal manganese enrichment of carbonate rocks, silicification, chloritization, sericitization, montmorillonitization and argillic alteration. The ore deposits have been emplaced within the Janggun Limestone of Cambro-Ordovician age at the immediate contacts with apophyses injected from the Chunyang Granite plutons of Late Jurrasic age. They have been structurally controlled by fractures in the carbonate rocks and the irregular intrusive contacts of granitic rocks, and are closely associated with hypogene manganese carbonate deposits. In the mine nine seperate orebodies are being mined. On the basis of the petrological study, hydrothermal alteration zone of this mine may be divided into the following four zones from wallrock to orebody. (I) Primary calcite and dolomite zone${\rightarrow}$(II) dolomitic limestone zone${\rightarrow}$(III) dolomitic zone${\rightarrow}$(IV) rhodochrosite zone${\rightarrow}$ orebody. There was not recongnized Mn and Fe elements in the primary calcite and dolomite zone. But, in the dolomitic limestone and dolomite zone, calcite and dolomite were subjected to weak hydrothermal manganese enrichment and the grade of the manganese enrichment increase oreward. By means of electron probe microanalysis, it was found that manganoan dolomite occured between primary dolomite grains, cross the cleavage of the primary dolomite and around the dolomite grains. Above these result supports that the Janggun manganese carbonate deposits are of hydrothermal metasomatic origin.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.157-173
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• 1974

The Red Hill deposit of the Dongjom Copper Mine is the most promising deposit of the mine and under intensive exploration at present although there are eight more deposits of vein type. With total 2160m drilling of 9 holes completed and 400m drilling on two holes underway, the nature of the Red Hill deposit has come more clear. The copper content in the whole ore body is meager so far as the exploration done up to present indicates, but there are evidences that mineralization covers all over the granodiorite cupola at the Red Hill area. The petrological work and assay on the samples taken by the writers indicate that granodiorite rocks can be divided into fresh zone and alteration zone. Alteration zone consists of potassic and argillic zones accompanyied by silicification zone on basis of Lowell and Guilbert model Argillic zone has closely related with a mineralization in the Red Hill deposit. It has been cleared that the alteration acompanyied with the mineralization took place not only &long vertical fissures but also in the irregular lateral zone, the nature of which is unknown. Judging from the results of exploration and petrochemical study on the Red Hill deposit which is imbedded in a southern part of the granodiorite cupola, it can be concluded by the writer's opinion that the Red Hill deposit is possibly a porphyry copper deposit, because the shape of the ore body, mineral zoning and paragenesis and wall rock alteration resemble to those of typical porphyry copper deposits. It is the writers' opinion that more exploration work is required so as to evaluate the deposit.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.265-277
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• 2015

Hydrothermal alteration patterns and environment are studied by mineral assemblages and chemical analyses of surface and core samples from Miryang pyrophyllite deposit. The alteration zones of this deposit can be divided into three zones on the basis of mineral assemblage; advanced argillic, phyllic, and propylitic zone. Advanced argillic zone mainly consists of pyrophyllite-dickite (-quartz) and corresponds to principal mining ore. The common mineral assemblage of phyllic zone and propylitic zone are sericite-quartz-dickite and chlorite-quartz, respectively. Horizontal and vertical alteration patterns and major element geochemistry indicate that pyrophyllite ores have been formed several times by hydrothermal alteration. And it also suggests that the huge ore bodies may be extended from the deeper part of recent quarries to the south-southeastern direction. The paragenesis of ore minerals and polytype (2M) suggest that ore deposit was formed at about $300-350^{\circ}C$.