• Title/Summary/Keyword: gold mining

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Studies on Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope of the Namsan Gold-Silver Mine (남산 금-은광산의 유체포유물 및 안정동위원소 연구)

  • Kim, Se-Hyun;Choi, Sang-Hoon
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.119-127
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    • 1996
  • Electrum-sulfide minerals of the Namsan Au-Ag mine were deposited in two stages of quartz and calcite veins that fill fault planes in Mesozoic granitic rocks (230~155 Ma). The K/Ar radiometric dating of hydrothermal sericite indicates that mineralization is early Cretaceous age ($127{\pm}3.0Ma$). Mineralogic, fluid inclusion and sulfur isotopic data show that ore minerals were deposited at temperatures between $340^{\circ}C$ and $200^{\circ}C$ from fluid with salinities of 3 to 6 equiv. wt % NaCl. Evidence of fluid boiling (and $CO_2$ effervescence) indicates a maximum pressures of 100 bars. The formation temperature and $fs_2$, of Au-mineralization from the Namsan mines are mainly $280{\sim}230^{\circ}C$ and $10^{-11}{\sim}10^{-13}$ atm, respectively. Au deposition was likely a result of boiling caused to chemical change (pH, $f_{O2}$, ${\Sigma}_{H_2S{\cdot}{\cdot}}$) of ore-fluids. Sulfur isotope composition of sulfide minerals (${\delta}^{34}S=5.1$ to 8.2‰) are consistent with ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}{H2S}}$ value of +6 to +7‰, suggesting an igneous source of sulfur partially mixed with wall-rock sulfur.

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Petrochemical and Fluid Inclusion Study on the Porphyritic Granite in the Yonghwa-Seolcheon Area (용화(龍化)-설천(雪川) 지역(地域)에 분포하는 백악기 반상화강암(斑狀花崗岩)의 암석화학(岩石化學) 및 유체포유물(流體包有物)에 관한 연구(硏究))

  • Youn, Seok-Tai;Park, Hee-In
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.28 no.5
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    • pp.445-454
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    • 1995
  • The petrochemical data of the porphyritic granites of Cretaceous age in the Yonghwa-Seolcheon area show the trend of subalkaline magma, calc-alkaline magma, I-type granitoid and magnetite series. This granite is the relevant igneous rock of gold-silver mineralization in this mining district Fluid inclusions have been studied in phenocryst quartz from the Cretaceous porphyritic granite. Three main types of fluid inclusion were found : liquid-rich inclusion(I type), gas-rich inclusion(II type) and solid-bearing inclusions(III-A, III-B). The solid-bearing inclusions(III-A,B) represent the earliest trapped fluids. They have salinities between 41.0 and 67.5 wt% equivalent to NaCl. These are high saline inclusions containing NaCl and KCl daughter crystals. Homogenization temperature inferred from the fluid inclusion study ranges from 650 to $75^{\circ}C$ Type I and II inclusions were observed within the same fracture. This cause for these differences in degree of filling is evidence of boiling. Salinities of type I and II inclusions range from 9.87 wt% to 15.29 wt%, from 8.40 wt% to 14.64 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively.

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Effect of Mycorrhizal Treatment on Growth of Acacia spp. On Sandy BRIS Soils in Peninsular Malaysia

  • Lee, Su See;Mansor, Patahayah;Koter, Rosdi;Lee, Don Koo
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.95 no.5
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    • pp.516-523
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    • 2006
  • Marginal soils such as BRlS (Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales) soils and ex-tin mining land make up approximately 0.5 million ha or about 2% of Malaysia's land area. In the coastal areas of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia impoverished sandy BRIS dominates the landscape with most lying idle as there is no national management plan for their utilization. A field study was carried out to see whether mycorrhizal application had any effect on the growth of three exotic Acacia spp., i.e. Acacia auriculiformis, A. mangium and Acacia hybrid (A. auriculiformis ${\times}$ A. mangium) on BRIS soils. Two types of mycorrhizal inoculum, namely, a commercially available arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum marketed as $MycoGold^{TM}$ and an indigenous ectomycorrhizal Tomentella sp. inoculum were tested. In the initial six months, height growth of all three tree species inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum was significantly improved compared to the ectomycorrhizal inoculated and uninoculated control plants. The mycorrhizal effect was not evident thereafter and repeated application of the arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum may be necessary for continued growth enhancement. Of the three species, A. mangium had the highest relative height growth rate over the 24 months on BRlS soils.

Risk assessment of heavy metals in soil based on the geographic information system-Kriging technique in Anka, Nigeria

  • Johnbull, Onisoya;Abbassi, Bassim;Zytner, Richard G.
    • Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.150-158
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    • 2019
  • Soil contaminated with heavy metals from artisanal gold mining in Anka Local Government Area in Northwestern Nigeria was investigated to evaluate the human health risk as a result of heavy metals. Measured concentration of heavy metals and exposure parameters were used to estimate human carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. GIS-based Kriging method was utilized to create a prediction maps of human health risks and probability maps of heavy metals concentrations exceeding their threshold limits. Hazard index calculation showed that 21 out of 23 locations are posing non-cancer risk for children. Adults and children are at high cancer risk in all locations as the total cancer risk exceeded $1{\times}10^{-6}$ (the lower limit CTR value). Kriging model showed that only a very small area in Anka has a hazard index of less than unity and cumulative target risk of less than $1{\times}10^{-4}$, indicating a significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children. The probability of heavy metals to exceed their threshold concentrations around the study area was also found to be high.

Spectral Characteristics of Hydrothermal Alteration in Zuru, NW Nigeria

  • Aisabokhae, Joseph;Tampul, Hamman
    • Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.535-544
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    • 2019
  • This study demonstrated the ability of a Landsat-8 OLI multispectral data to identify and delineate hydrothermal alteration zones around auriferous prospects within the crystalline basement, North-western Nigeria. Remote sensing techniques have been widely used in lithological, structural discrimination and alteration rock delineation, and in general geological studies. Several artisanal mining activities for gold deposit occur in the surrounding areas within the basement complex and the search for new possible mineralized zones have heightened in recent times. Systematic Landsat-8 OLI data processing methods such as colour composite, band ratio and minimum noise fraction were used in this study. Colour composite of band 4, 3 and 2 was displayed in Red-Green-Blue colour image to distinguish lithologies. Band ratio ${\frac{4}{2}}$ image displayed in red was used to highlight ferric-ion bearing minerals(hematite, goethite, jarosite) associated with hydrothermal alteration, band ratio ${\frac{5}{6}}$ image displayed in green was used to highlight ferrous-ion bearing minerals such as olivine, amphibole and pyroxenes, while ratio ${\frac{6}{7}}$ image displayed in blue was used to highlight clay minerals, micas, talc-carbonates, etc. Band rationing helped to reduce the topographic illumination effect within images. The result of this study showed the distribution of the lithological units and the hydrothermal alteration zone which can be further prospected for mineral reserves.

Status of Mineral Resources and Mining Development in North Korea (북한 광물자원 부존 및 개발현황 개요)

  • Koh, Sang Mo;Lee, Gill Jae;Yoon, Edward
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.291-300
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    • 2013
  • The potential mineral resources in North Korea are magnesite, limestone, coal, graphite, iron, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. North Korea is mainly exporting coal and iron to China(70%) and EU countries. Gold ore reserves(or resources) in North Korea are about 2,000 tons and annual production is 2 tons based on metal. Major gold mines are Sooan, Holdong, and Daeyoodong mines and six smelters are operating. Fe ore reserves (or resources) are 4.3 billion tons and annual production is about 5 million tons based on 63.5% Fe. Major iron mines are Moosan, Leewon, Eunryul, Shinwon, and Jaeryong and 7 smelters are operating. Pb and Zn ore reserves(or resources) are Pb 470,000 tons and Zn 15 million tons, and annual productions are about Pb 26,000 tons and Zn 50,000 tons based on metal respectively. Major Pb-Zn mines are Gumdock and Seongcheon mines. Magnesite ore reserves(or resources) are 2.8 billion tons (95% MgO) and annual production is about 150,000 tons. Major magnesite mines are Ryongyang, Daeheung Youth and Ssangryong mines, and 5 magnesium refractory factories are operating. Apatite ore reserves(or resources) are 340 million tons(30% $P_2O_5$) and annual production is about 300,000 tons(crude ore). Major apatite mines are Daedaeri, Dongam and Poongnyen mines. Coal is established as an important strategic fuel mineral resources and is a major energy source in North Korea. Coal ore reserves(or resources) are 18.6 billion tons and annual production is about 20 million tons. The main coal fields is located in southern Pyongan and the Jigdong mine is the biggest in North Korea.

The Transition of Production, Consumption and Price of Non-ferrous Metals (비철금속(非鐵金屬)의 생산(生産), 소비(消費), 시세(時勢)의 추이(推移))

  • Moon, W.J.
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.2 no.3
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    • pp.1-25
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    • 1969
  • In considering the mining industry, it is necessary to study the production, consumption and price of ore and metals in every country of the world in order to determine the trend of the industry in the present and for the future. This study is necessary especially for exporting domestically produced are which is in excess of domestic consumption and for importing are, or metal where local production does not meet domestic demand. It will be treated of Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, W, Mo, which are the most important non-ferrous metals, and which greatly affect the mining industry of Korea. The presentation will concern itself only with the free world. About 1, 200 ton of gold are produced annually with little fluctiation in recent years. Most of the gold produced is consumed by advanced countries for industrial uses as well as for producing precious objects. The U.S.A. expends yearly about four times its domestic production and Japan about three times its domestic production for industry and arts. Because of the instability of the currency of the U.S.A., England and France, recently, the price of gold has been $ 41-42 per ounce, whereas the official price is $35.00 per ounce. It will be expected that the official price will be raised in the near future. As for silver, about 6,500 tons are produced annually with no special fluctuation change in recent years. However, the annual consumption is about 14,000 ton, so the supply and demand is extremely unbalanced. The shortage is made up by the sale of the U.S. treasury's reserve stock and the reclaiminig of silver from coins and other scrap. As the Treasury'S reserves will be exhausted in a year or two, the price of silver which is $1. 64 per ounce, will go up drastically in about a year. As for copper, 5,257,000 ton's were mined in 1966. It's production is being increased about 5% annually. However, consumption exceeds production by about 100,000 ton a year. The recent Foreign refinery copper price in the U.S.A is $ 60 per pound. The supply of copper being insufficient to meet international demands, the price will go up and with no prospect of being lowered in the near future even with the slight annual increase in production. About 2,100,000 to 2,200,000 tons of lead are produced annually. Consumption exceeds production by about 50,000-60,000 tons annually. The current price of lead in New York is $ 155 per pound. As the supply of lead is internationally stable, It will be believed that there will be no significant change in its price in the near future. In 1967, 3,926,000 tons of Zinc were produced. There is annual increase of 4-7% in production. The annual consumption exceeds production by 100,000 to 200,000 tons. The current zinc price in the St. Louis market inthe U.S.A. is $ 145 per pound. Even though its supply is stable and sufficient world wide, the consumption rate will increase at a faster pace than before; hence, the price will slowly go up. Tungsten mines yield about 11,000 tons a year. Its production has been relatively constant in the past few years. The amount of its consumption increases slowly world wide, but in the free world· there has been a slight annual decrease. However, since Red China has not been exporting their tungsten to other countries for several months, the price on the London market of S.T.U. of $Wo_3$ has increased to $ 44~46. Should Red China begin to export actively again the price will drop to $ 40~42. In 1967, 56,000 tons of Molybdenum were produced. Production exceeds consumption by 200,000 -30,000 tons annually. The current price in the U.S.A. is $ 1.72 per Mo pound. Since the rate of production in the U.S.A. is on the increase with large amounts of ore reserve, the price of molubdenum should not go up.

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Mineralogy and Geochmistry of the Sanjeon Au-Ag Deposit, Wonju Area, Korea (산전 금-은 광상에 관한 광물 및 지화학적 연구)

  • Se-Hyun Kim
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.32 no.5
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    • pp.445-454
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    • 1999
  • The Sanjeon Au-Ag deposit consists of three subparallel hydrothermal quartz-calcite veins which filled fault-related fractures (generally $N20^{\circ}$ to 35"W-trending and $70^{\circ}$ to $80^{\circ}$ SW-dipping) within quartz porphyry. The vein mineralization shows an apparent variation of mineral assemblages with paragenetic time: (1) early, white quartz + pyrite + arsenopyrite + brown sphalerite, (2) middle, white (vein) to clear quartz (vug) + base-metal sulfides + electrum + argentite, (3) late, calcite + pyrite + native silver. Mineralogic and fluid inclusion data indicate that gold-silver minerals were deposited at temperatures from 2l $0^{\circ}$ to $250^{\circ}$ with salinities of 4 to 5 wt. % equiv. NaCl and log fS2 values from -14.0 to -12.2 atm. The linear relationship between homogenization temperature and salinity data indicates that gold-silver deposition was a result of meteoric water mixing. Ore mineralization occurred at pressure conditions of about 70 bars, which corresponds to the mineralization depths of about 260 m to 700 m. There is a remarkable decrease of the calculated 1)180 values of water from 1.3 to -9.7%0 in hydrothermal fluid with increasing paragenetic time. This indicates a progressive increase of meteoric water influx in the hydrothermal system at the Sanjeon deposit. Oxygen-hydrogen, sulfur, and carbon isotope values of hydrothermal fluids indicate that the ore mineralization was formed largely from meteoric waters with the contribution of sulfur and carbon from a deep igneous source.

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Geochemistry of Fluid Inclusions of W, Cu and Au-Ag Ore Deposits in South Korea and Its Significance (중석, 동, 금-은 광상 유체포유물의 지화학과 그 의의)

  • Moon, Kun-Joo
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.167-174
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    • 1993
  • Limited geochemical components have been detected in fluid inclusions from ore deposits in south Korea by non-destructive and destructive analytical methods. Review of fluid inclusion studies display that the homogenization temperatures and salinities are in direct proportion. W and Cu ore deposits tend to show higher homogenization temperatures and salinities than Au ore deposits. Abundant halite-bearing fluid inclusions from the Eonyang Granite producing precious amethyst crystals may indicate that the initial fluid originated from magma is highly saline as shown by the quartz from the granite. Raman Laser microprobe detected $CO_2$, $N_2$ and $CH_4$ in a gold deposit, while these components are hardly detected from other deposits, even though destrucive analysis has dectected $CO_2$, $N_2$, $CH_4$, $H_2S$, and $SO_2$ from most of ore deposits. Individual fluid inclusion shows quite different components. These results suggest that large numbers of fluid inclusions should be analysed by Raman Laser microprobe to gain reliable data. Halite-bearing inclusion is hardly found in fluid inclusions from epithermal gold deposits in south Korea. Geochemistry, homogeinzation temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions may be useful to apply for exploration to find a concealed orebody.

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Risk Factors for Associated with Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Former Mine Workers (광업 이직근로자에서 잠복결핵감염 위험요인 분석)

  • Hwang, Joo Hwan;Shin, Jae Hoon;Baek, JinEe;Choi, Byung-Soon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.289-297
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    • 2019
  • Objectives: To identify the positive rate of and the risk factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI) in mine workers, the objectives of the present study evaluated those among former mine workers. Methods: Between January 2015 and May 2017, former male mine workers who had been subjects for epidemiology research for work-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and had received QuantiFERON-$TB^{(R)}$ Gold In-Tube(QFT-GIT) from the Institute of Occupation and Environment(IOE) under Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service(KCOMWEL) were selected as the study subjects. To identify significant variables for increased risk of LTBI, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 736 male former mine workers were selected as study subjects. The positive rate of LTBI among subjects was 69.2%(509/736). The current smoking[odds ratio(OR), 2.3; 95% confidence interval(CI), 1.1-4.9], COPD(OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9-2.3), department loading(OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9-3.4) and mining(OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9-2.5), and working duration of over 20(OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9-3.1) and over 30 years(OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.9-4.9) were associated with increased risk of LTBI. The interferon-gamma(IFN-${\gamma}$) level after stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)-specific antigens showed a significantly negative correlation with age(r=-0.126). Conclusions: The present study determined that the high positive rate of LTBI among mine workers was associated with not only the host factors but also the occupational exposure to mine dust.