• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.180-183
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• 2003

Epithermal deposits are an important class of hydrothermal deposits, that have recently seen an surge of exploration and research, principally as significant resources of gold and silver. Epithermal deposits form at shallow depths (surface to 1-2km) and temperatures less than 30$0^{\circ}C$ (Hayba et al., 1985), and encompass a variety of low-sulfidation (near-neutral pH, reduced fluid; LS) and high-sulfidation (acidic and oxidized fluid; HS) deposits (Sillitoe, 1993; White and Hedenquist, 1995). (omitted)

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.7-14
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• 2003

The precious-meta] mineralization of epithermal type in the Korean Peninsula, which is spread over a broader range of ca. 110 to 60 Ma with a major population between 90 and 70 Ma, mainly occurred along the NE-trending major strike-slip fault systems (i.e., the Gongju and Gwangju ones) that commonly include volcano-tectonic depressions and calderas. The occurrence of epithermal mineralization during Late Cretaceous clearly indicates that the geologic setting of the Korean Peninsula changed to the favorable depth of ore formation with very shallow-crustal environments (〈1.0 kb) accompanied with gold-silver (-base-meta]) mineralization. Epithermal gold-silver deposits in Korea are primarily distinguished as sediment-dominant and volcanic-dominant basins by using criteria of varying alteration, ore and gangue mineralogy deposited by the interaction of different ore-forming fluids with host rocks and meteoric waters. These differences between the central and southern portions are causally linked to the tectonic evolution of the Peninsula during the Cretaceous time. In the Early Cretaceous, the sinistral strike-slip movements due to the oblique subduction of the Izanagi Plate resulted in the Gongju and Gwangju fault systems in the central portion of the Korean Peninsula, which was accompanied with a number of sediment-dominant basins formed along these faults. During the Late Cretaceous, the mode of convergence of the Izanagi Plate changed to northwesteward so that orthogonal convergence occurred with a calc-alkaline volcanism. As results, volcanic-dominant basins were developed in the southern portion of the Peninsula, accompanied with volcano-tectonic depressions and caldera-related fractures. The magmatism and related fractures during Late Cretaceous may play an important role in the formation of geothermal systems. Thus, such fault zones may be favorable environments for veining emplacement that is closely related to the precious-metal mineralization of epithermal type in the Korean Peninsula.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.19-19
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• 2003

Cineam gold deposit is one of an epithermal gold deposit of Low Sulfidation type, which is located in the Sunda-Banda magmatic Arc Zone. Its existence in this region has led to a new concept or few point on the Sunda - Banda Magmatic Arc. Even the deposit is classified as a small scale in mine, however, mineralogically, fluid inclusion and isotopes studies are very interesting to be studied. (omitted)

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.269-276
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• 2004

The Indonesian Archipelago is located in the southern tip of the Eurasian plate. The diverse subduction system of the Indonesia region records interactions between three megaplates (Eurasian, Indian-Australian, and Pacific plates) and many smaller plates. The geology of Indonesian Archipelago is characterized by many factors such as subduction zone complexes, magmatic arc rocks associated with plate tectonics, the arc granite and volcanic rocks, and the related metamorphic rocks. The base-metal deposits of Indonesia have a great effect on petrochemical character of parent rocks and geotectonic environments. The base-metal deposits can be classified into four types as hosted by felsic-intermediate intrusive rocks, hosted by ultramafic rocks, hosted by volcanic rocks, and hosted by sedimentary rocks. The gold deposits are divided into three types: epithermal gold deposits, porphyry copper associated gold deposits, and alluvial gold deposits. Especially, Indonesian island uc, with its numerous plates tectonic, has an high potential for epithermal gold deposits. Indonesia with many old and present subduction zones and sub-aerial calcalkaline volcanic rocks is a very promising country for epithermal gold mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.665-676
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• 1996

Domestic metal mines have contributed to the national industrialization of Japan for over a century through their stable supply of raw materials. However, due to the changes which have taken place in the industries structure, mining industry has been shifted to downstream industries. At present, only three major mines are in production. In recent times, changing economic conditions have made it increasingly difficult to develop new base metal mines. Subsequently, the deposit type targeted has shifted from base metals to epithermal associated gold deposits which, if of sufficient grade and tonnage, can be economical. Accompanying the dramatic rise in the price of gold during the late 1970's, has been an increase in the geological information and our understanding of epithermal gold deposits around the Pacific rim region. In particular, the common acceptance of the plate tectonic theory and the correlation's between modem geothermal systems and fossil epithermal systems were most important developments. In 1988, the Mining Council authorized the domestic exploration of 19 districts, targeting epithermal gold mineralization. Since 1989 the Metal Mining Agency of Japan, semi-government organization, has been conducted gold exploration in such area. With new genetic concepts and new technologies, promising gold mineralization has been discovered. Two such areas which are at an advanced stage of exploration are Seta, in northern Hokkaido, and Noya, in central Kyushu.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.6 s.181
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• pp.663-674
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• 2006

It is very important that analysis of textures in rock, the moving of hydrothermal solution along the structures, epithermal vein textures, mineralization and composition minerals to confirm the hydrothermal ore deposits and ore genesis. The purpose of this study is to confirm the gold mineralization and ore genesis through the moving of hydrothermal solution along the structure lines and epithermal vein textures by using Color-corescanner techniques. The three drilling hole cores of Sunshin Gold Mine in Haenam area in Jeonnam Province were into a digital image data. Digital image data of gold bearing epithermal vein textures were analyzed detaily by Color-corescanner. There are several epithermal vein textures, namely Comb texture, Cavity texture, Bladed texture, Zonal texture, Brecciated texture and Combined texture. Gold mineralization is dominated in vein type textures, but high grade gold are enbedded in brecciated texture. Ore genesis is epithermal gold deposit. This Color-corescanner techniques can cover the missing part of the examine with the naked eye, and can examine closely the situation of ore deposit development and genesis by detail checking the textures in rock, mineralization and so on.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.15-18
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• 2003

We preliminarily describe the basic characteristics of the low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposits in East China. It can be divided into granite- and alkaline rock-related types. These gold deposits are structurally controlled by caldera, craters, diatremes and related faults, hosted in volcanic rocks, and characterized by alterations of adularia, chalcedony, quartz, sericite and calcite assemblages. The ore-forming ages are within three pulses of 180-188 Ma, 135-141 Ma, and ca. 120 Ma, which are geodynamically corresponding the collision orogenic process between North China and Yangtze cratons, transformation of the tectonic regime, and delamination of the lithosphere, respectively.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 1996

The Baegjeon Au-Ag and Sb deposits, small of disseminated-type gold deposits are formed as a result of epithermal processes associated a shallow-seated Cretaceous Yeogdun granitoids intrusion. The orebodies are formed by the replacement of carbonate minerals in thin-bedded oolitic limestone beds favorable for mineralization within the upper-most Cambrian Pungchon Limestone Formation. The mineralization can be recognized one stage, ore minerals composed of base metal sulfides, electrum, AgSb-S, Ag-Cu-S, and Sb-S minerals. Gold-bearing minerals consist of electrum and submicroscopic invisible gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite. The composition of electrums ranges from 33.58 to 63.48 atomic % Ag. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that ore fluids were low saline $NaCl-CO_2-H_2O$ system. Temporary fluid mixing and boiling occured in later stage. Fluid inclusion data indicates the homogenization temperatures and salinities of NaCl eqivalent wt% were 176 to $246^{\circ}C$ and from 0.0 to 4.8 wt%, respectively. And $-logfs_2$, of mineralization obtained by thermodynamic considerations as 12.4 to 13.8 atm. The ${\delta}^{34}S_{H_2S}$, values of hydrothermal sulfides were calculated to be 6.8 to 10.2‰ which was of sedimentary origin. The ${\delta}^{18}O_{H_2O}$ and ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO_2}$, range from -3.9 to 9.6‰, from -1.1 to -2.2‰, and ${\delta}D$ range from -89 to -118‰, respectively. The Au deposition during mineralization seems to have occurred as a result of decrease of temperature, $fs_2$, $fo_2$, and pH probably due to oxidation by meteoric water mixing, which destabilized original $Au(HS)^-{_2}$. The mineralization of the Baegjeon deposits is similar to the Carlin-type deposits characterized by sediments-hosted epithermal bedding replacement disseminated gold deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 1996

The gold-silver deposits of the Nakcheon, Eunchi and Jungbong mine in the northern Taebagsan mining district are composed of fissure fil1ing veins emplaced in Precambrian meta-sediments and Jungbongsan granite. Based on the changes of ore texture and mineralogy, ore mineral chemistry, fluid inclusion and mineralizing condition, a regional zoning is recognized from the Nakcheon to the Eunchi and Jungbong ore deposits, and this trend of zoning is also recognized by stable isotope compositions. Stable isotope compositions show that the source of su1fur and carbon is mainly igneous origin, and the water of ore fluid in the Nakcheon ore deposits is mainly magmatic origin but much of meteoric water is involved in ore fluid of the Eunchi and Jungbong ore deposits. The ore deposits of study area is polymetallic meso to epithermal type genetically related to the acidic igneous pluton. Due to the differntial erosion level and mineralized depth, each ore deposits has a slightly different characteristic of mineralization; The Nakcheon ore deposits belong to meso-epithermal type, but the Eunchi and Jungbong ore deposits belong to epithermal type.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.20-23
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• 2003

Low-sulfidation style ore deposits, the major source of Au, Ag, and Hg, are formed from neutral-pH, reduced hydrothermal solutions close to equilibrium with their host rocks. The waters are low-salinity (〈1 wt % NaCl equiv.) but relatively gas rich (1-2 wt % $CO_2$), and are largely meteoric water. However, the contribution of magmatic components to the epithermal system, its temporal importance, and its relation to the source of ore metals are largely controversial. (omitted)