• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2018

Metasediment-hosted Pb-Zn mineralized zone has been found in Dyusembay of Kazakhstan. Its petrological properties, metal index, alteration index and redox-sensitivity are compared with those of SEDEX type deposit. Mineralization is developed along foliation of host rock (graphitic phyllite) and controlled by folds and faults; major ore minerals including pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and galena are disseminated or interlayered with fine-grained quartz. The margin of the mineralized zone is metamorphosed accompanying sericite and chlorite. Hydrothermal brecciation and Pb-Zn mineralization formed in quartz-calcite stockworks are confirmed at the around of Maytyubin granitoid intrusions. The mineralization is classified into three types according to those of occurrence, paragenesis, chemical composition and isotopic characteristics. Type 1 whose fine-grained pyrite, pyrrhotite and sphalerite are formed in parallel yet discontinuous to well-developed foliations of the host rock; its geochemistry is similar to those of the earlier stage in SEDEX-type mineralization. In case of type 2, the ore minerals of which are concentrated being parallel to a foliation by regional metamorphism, and most of them associated with quartz and muscovite (${\pm}$ biotite) paragenetically. Type 3 is formed in the hydrothermal breccia zone whose ore minerals are controlled by foliation and breccia and developed in quartz ${\pm}$ calcite veins having a form such as stratification, stockwork or veinlets. Host rocks in the mineralized zone indicate homogeneous metamorphic grade and there is no specific alteration zonation. Also, all types (type 1, type 2, and type 3) represent similar REEs patterns, it can be interpreted that these are originated from a same source. Sulphides occurred in mineralized zone indicate a limited range of sulphur isotope values (type 2, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.3{\sim}-11.7$‰; type 3, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.9{\sim}-8.2$‰), and a result of geothermometry presents different temperature ranges: type 2($251{\pm}38^{\circ}C{\sim}277{\pm}40^{\circ}C$); type 3($360{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ to $537{\pm}29^{\circ}C$). It is estimated to be due to the effect of metamorphism and Maytyubin granitoid intrusions, respectively. In addition, ternary chart of thorium, scandium, and zircon for discrimination of tectonic setting and redox sensitivity using V/Mo values indicate that hydrothermal sediments put on reduction environment after precipitation, before being affected by metamorphism and intrusion activity. Geochemical data are plotted on a distal trend of SEDEX-type with discrimination plot using SEDEX index. As a result, petrological-geochemical properties demonstrate that Dyusembay Pb-Zn mineralized zone is comparable to distal-type of SEDEX deposit.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.259-274
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• 2019

Using portable XRF and SWIR analyzer, the characteristics of element dispersion and wallrock alterations induced by interaction between hydrothermal fluids and host rocks were investigated and ore exploration factors were estimated for the orogenic-type Samgwang Au deposits. On this purpose, in-situ measurements were conducted for 804 spots at regular intervals with a total of 4,824 times for host rocks, consisting of schist and gneiss, and altered wallrocks contacted with quartz veins in the Bonhang adit of the deposit, and the results were compared with quantitative data obtained by XRF and ICP analysis. The regression coefficients are 0.88 for major elements and 0.56 for trace elements, excluding V. For polished rock slabs, better results came out for major elements, 0.97 and for trace elements, 0.65. In altered wallrocks contacted with quartz veins, elements such as Fe, Zn, and Rb exhibit positive correlations with As in concentrations, while V forms a negative trend. Contour maps demonstrate that As, Zn, Rb, Fe, Ti, Cr, and Ni are enriched together near quartz veins, showing similar elemental behaviors. In-situ analysis using portable SWIR analyzer represents that schist and gneiss contain mica, illite, chlorite, sericite, amphibole, and epidote, while illite, sericite, gypsum, and mica are present in the altered rocks contacted with quartz veins. In contour maps, chlorite occurs mostly in host rocks, while sericite is concentrated near quartz veins. These results are similar to those of previous studies for element dispersion and hydrothermal alteration, and support the possibility for application of in-situ analysis on the exploration of orogenic gold deposit.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 1994

As the groundwater flows along the fractures of crystalline rocks, it will be in contact with the fracture walls mostly coated by secondary minerals which are quite different form those of host rocks. The presence of fracture-filling minerals in crystalline rocks is important on the view point of radioactive waste disposal because of their great surface reactivity. The Surichi drill hole of 200 m in depth in the Yugu area composed mainly of Precambrian gneiss was selected to study the formation process of clay minerals on the fracture wall of gneiss, and their relation with present groundwater. The water-rock interaction in fractures resulted in the formation of gibbsite and clay minerals. They are formed by two different processes : (1) Incongruent dissolution of feldspar by groundwater diffused from a fracture path into rock matrix produced smectite and illite in situ, (2) on the wall of fracture, gibbsite, kaolinite, smectite and illite are formed by precipitation of dissolved species in groundwater. They show the paragenetic sequence such as gibbsite${\leftrightarrow}$kaolinite${\leftrightarrow}$smectite or illite. The paragenetic sequence of fracture-filling minerals was controlled by increase of pH of groundwater, decrease of fracture permeability by precipitation of fillings, and immobility of alkali or alkaline earths in groundwater. The groundwater from the Surichi borehole is a $Na-HCO_{3}$ type with pH range of 8.6-9.2. The sodium and bicarbonate in groundwater would be supplied by the dissolution of albite and calcite, respectively. The saturation index of groundwater and surface water calculated by WATEQ4F indicates that gibbsite and kaolinite are under precipitation to equilibrium state, and that smectite and illite are under equilibrium to redissolution environment. The stability relation of clay minerals in the $Na_{2}O-Al_{2}O_{3}-SiO_{2}-H_{2}O$ system shows that kaolinite is stable for all waters.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.157-178
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• 2013

This study gives a conceptual and basic direction to develop a URL (underground research laboratory) program for establishing the performance and safety of a deep geological disposal system in Korea. The concept of deep geological disposal is one of the preferred methodologies for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Advanced countries with radioactive waste disposal have developed their own disposal concepts reasonable to their social and environmental conditions and applied to their commercial projects. Deep geological disposal system is a multi-barrier system generally consisting of an engineered barrier and natural barrier. A disposal facility and its host environment can be relied on a necessary containment and isolation over timescales envisaged as several to tens of thousands of years. A disposal system is not allowed in the commercial stage of the disposal program without a validation and demonstration of the performance and safety of the system. All issues confirming performance and safety of a disposal system include investigation, analysis, assessment, design, construction, operation and closure from planning to closure of the deep geological repository. Advanced countries perform RD&D (research, development & demonstration) programs to validate the performance and safety of a disposal system using a URL facility located at the preferred rock area within their own territories. The results and processes from the URL program contribute to construct technical criteria and guidelines for site selection as well as suitability and safety assessment of the final disposal site. Furthermore, the URL program also plays a decisive role in promoting scientific understanding of the deep geological disposal system for stakeholders, such as the public, regulator, and experts.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.489-496
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• 2014

The occurrence and mineralogical characteristics of asbestos in dolostone at Ungdo, Seosan were investigated by analyses of PLM, XRD, and SEM/EDS. Representative outcrops of dolostone at Ungdo were examined and four dolostone samples were collected according the occurrence type to identify the shape of asbestos in dolostone samples. The host rock of dolostone had been produced from the hydrothermal alteration and/or thermal metamorphism of which main source was assumed as the acidic granite. Tremolites were observed near the cracks or fractures of the dolostone as tamping or gob types. From the mineralogical analyses, main minerals of dolostone were dolomite with calcite, quartz, talc, amphibole, and pyroxene. From SEM/EDS analyses, tremolite-actinolite asbestoses were observed in dolostone and their shapes were prismatic and fibrous (less than $1{\mu}m$ in width). Non-asbestos prismatic forms were also found and they would transfer to asbestos particles resulting from the cleavage and fracture of the prismatic particles. Overall results suggest that asbestoses in Ungdo dolosotnes were mainly tremolite-actinolite and they were originated from the hydrothermal alteration of Ca-Mg rich dolostone.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2009

Fractures and segmentation in association with the activities of the Yangsan fault are studied around Mt. Namsan, Gyengju city in the southeastern part of Korea. It is believed that the higher values of joint density and fractal dimension with the approach of the center of the Yangsan fault mean intense fracturing due to the fault activity. The boundary between fault damage zone and host rock is inferred to be placed at about 2.7 km from the center of the Yangsan fault where the values of joint density and fractal dimension abruptly decrease and the orientations of joint are also much dispersed. The small faults within the damage zone of the Yangsan fault are definitely divided into right-lateral and left-lateral strike-slip faults. The former is considered to be formed during the right-lateral movement of the Yangsan fault and the latter during the left-lateral movement. The Yangsan fault is segmented in the study area with obvious evidences as follows: (1) the difference of fault strike between northern and southern segments, (2) The geometry of contractional imbricate fans and syncline plunging $9^{\circ}$, $S85^{\circ}E$ at the end of northern segment, and (3) anticline plunging $28^{\circ}$, $N4^{\circ}W$ at the end of southern segment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.181-195
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• 1979

The Nambu orebodies of the Okbang tungsten mine are hosted in the Precambrian amphibolite and Weonnam formation. These orebodies can be classified into two types; The scheelite-bearing ore vein occurring in the amphibolite (the Nambu 1, 2 adits) and tungsten-bearing quartz vein along the contact between the amphibolite and the Weonnam formation (the Young-ho, -1, -2, -3 levels). The scheelite-bearing ore vein in the amphilbolite is discontinuous, narrow, and highly irregular in geometry, occurring only within the amphibolite with which of the vein is graduational. Based on these feature of the mode of occurrence, the origin of this ore type might be attributed to a potential segregation of tungsten ore fluid in situ from hornblenditic basic magma of the host rock. Tungsten-bearing quartz vein, however, is considered to have deposited along the N30-60E trending fractures as a later hypothermal vein after the hornblendite was emplaced. The principal ore mineral is scheelite with minor amount of wolframite, and the gangue minerals are quartz, and small amounts of fluorite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and calcite. Fluid inclusion study of minerals from the Nambu orebody reveals that the fluids in fluorite of the scheelite-bearning ore vein attained a temperature range of $208{\sim}256^{\circ}C$ and those in quartz from the tungsten-bearing quartz vein a temperature range of $220{\sim}357^{\circ}C$. The real formation temperatures can be somewhat higher than filling temperatures, if pressure correction is made. Chemical analysis of 8 amphibolitc samples on major and some trace elements indicate that the amphibolite is igneous origin. On a Niggli diagram (al-alk)versus c, the analytical values are plotted on an igneous field, and on a Niggli diagram mg versus c they follow a karroo igneous trend line. According to the Ba, Cr, and Ni versus Niggli mg plots suggested by Leake (1964), Okbang amphibolite fall outside a pelitic field and compare favorably with his plots form ortho-amphibolites. Analitical values of $MoO_3$ of 8 samples of scheelite minerals from the Nambu orebody indicate that the tungsten-bearing quartz vein (type n) of Nambu orebody shows a range from 1. 69% to 4.38% which is higher than 0.94%~3.25% $MoO_3$ for the scheelite-bearing ore vein (type I). This fact indicates that the type II was deposited in a lower $fO_2/higher$ $fO_2$ environment and under lower temperature than the type I. Analysis of major components $WO_3$, MnO, and FeO of 6 samples of wolframite from the type II veins revealed that they contain 73.35~76.2% $WO_3$, 7.94~11.63% MnO, and 10.53~14.82% FeO. MnO/FeO ratios of wolframite shows the range of 0.85~1.17 which suggests a slightly higher temperature type of deposits than other major tungsten deposits in the country.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.443-453
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• 2010

The Samsung gold-silver deposit consists of quartz veins that fill along the fault zone within Cretaceous shale and sandstone. Mineralization is occurred within fault-breccia zones and can be divided into two stages. Stage I is main ore mineralization and stage II is barren. Stage I is associated with wall-rock alteration minerals(sericite, pyrite, chlorite, quartz), rutile, base-metal sulfides(pyrrhotite, pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena), and electrum. Stage II occur quartz, calcite and pyrite. Fluid inclusion data indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinities of stage I range from 145 to $309^{\circ}C$ and from 0.4 to 12.4 wt.% NaCl, respectively. It suggests that hydrothermal fluids were cooled and diluted with the mixing of meteoric water. The main deposition of base-metal sulfides and electrum occurred as a result of cooling and dilution at temperature between $200^{\circ}C$ and $300^{\circ}C$. Sulfur(9.3~10.8‰) isotope composition indicates that ore sulfur was mainly derived from a magmatic source as well as the host rocks. The calculated oxygen[-2.3~0.9‰(quartz: 0.3‰, 0.9‰, calcite: -2.3‰)] and hydrogen[-86~-76‰(quartz: -86‰, -82‰, calcite: -76‰)] isotope compositions indicate that hydrothermal fluids may be meteoric origin with some degree of mixing of another meteoric water for paragenetic time.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2017

A deep geological disposal at a depth of 500 m in stable host rock is considered to be the safest method with current technologies for disposal of spent fuels classified as high-level radioactive waste. The most important requirement is that the temperature of the bentonite buffer, which is a component of the engineered barrier, should not exceed $100^{\circ}C$. In Korea, the amount of spent fuel generated by nuclear power generation, which accounts for about 30% of the total electricity, is continuously increasing and accumulating. Accordingly, the area required to dispose of it is also increasing. In this study, various duplex disposal concepts were derived for the purpose of improving the disposal efficiency by reducing the disposal area. Based on these concepts, thermal analyses were carried out to confirm whether the critical disposal system requirements were met, and the thermal stability of the disposal system was evaluated by analyzing the results. The results showed that upward 75 m or downward 75 m apart from the reference disposal system location of 500 m depth would qualify for the double layered disposal concept. The results of this study can be applied to the establishment of spent fuel management policy and the design of practical commercial disposal system. Detailed analyses with data of a real disposal site are necessary.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.489-500
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• 2017

It is not rare that pseudotachylite, dark colored rock with glassy texture, is recognizable in deep core samples drilled up to 900 m from the surface. Pseudotachylite with widths varying few to 20 cm is sharply contacted or interlayered with the host rocks composed of Jurassic granite and Precambrian amphibolite gneiss, showing moderately ductile deformation or slight folding. Pseudotachylite occurring at varying depths in the deep drill core are slightly different in texture and thickness. There is evidence of fault gouge at shallower depths, although brittle deformation is pervasive in most drill cores and pseudotachylite is identified at random depth intervals. Under scanning electron microscope (SEM), it is evident that the surface of pseudotachylite is characterized by a smooth, glassy matrix even at micrometer scale and there is little residual fragments in the glass matrix except microcrystals of quartz with embayed shape. Such textural evidence strongly supports the idea that the pseudotachylite was generated through the friction melting related to strong seismic events. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) quantitative analysis, it consists of primary minerals such as quartz, feldspars, biotite, amphibole and secondary minerals including clay minerals, calcite and glassy materials. Such mineralogical features of fractured materials including pseudotachylite indicate that the fractured zone might form at low temperatures possibly below $300^{\circ}C$, which implies that the seismic activity related to the formation of pseudotachylite took place at shallow depths, possibly at most 10 km. Identification and characterization of pseudotachylite provide insight into a better understanding of the paleoseismic activity of deep grounds and fundamental information on the stability of candidate disposal sites for high-level radioactive waste.