• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.541-549
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• 2014

The annual borate production in Turkey is about 3 million tons, which occupies approximately 61 percent of total annual world production. Turkey has five boron deposits including Bigadic, Emet, Kestelek, Kirka, and Sultancayir. At present, Bigadic, Emet, and Kirka deposits are operating. Kirka boron deposit is distributed within volcanoclatic sedimentary group as mainly layered, rarely brecciated and massive types. Major borate is borax associated with colemanite and ulexite. They show a horizontal symmetrical zonation from Na borate (borax) in the center of deposit to Na-Ca borate (ulexite) and Ca-borate (colemanite) in margin. Bigadic boron deposit is known as the largest colemanite deposit in the world. This deposit occurs as two borate bearing horizons in Miocene volcanoclastic sedimentary group. Thickness ranges from several meters to 100 meter with a length of several hundreds meters. Borate ore bodies which are mainly composed of colemanite and ulexite are alternated with claystone, mudstone, tuff and layered limestone as lenticular shape. Sultancayir boron deposit is mainly distributed within gray limestone. Main borate minerals of this deposit are pandermite and ulexite. Pandermite and ulexite occur as colloform aggregate and small veinlet, respectively. Turkish boron deposits are evaporite deposit which were formed in Miocene playa-lake environment. Boron was supplied to the deposits by the volcanic and hydrothermal activities.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.215-225
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• 2018

Musan iron deposit in North Korea and iron deposits in Anshan-Benxi area in China are Archean banded iron formations and included in Longgang block in Eastern block of North China Craton. Host formations of Musan iron deposit and Anshan-Benxi iron mineralized belt are Musan group and Anshan group, respectively. These groups consist of magnetite-bearing quartzite, amphibolite, schist, and migmatite. Host rock of banded iron formation in Musan deposit and Anshan-Benzi mineralized belt is magnetite-bearing quartzite. Shape of ore bodies in Musan deposit is horse's hoof due to the fold while shape of orebodies in Anshan-Benxi mineralized belt is layer. The previous studies revealed the both of banded iron formations are contemporaneously deposited during the late Archean (Musan deposit and iron deposits in Anshan-Benxi area: 2.66-2.52 Ga and 2.55-2.53 Ga, respectively). Musan deposit and iron deposits in Anshan-Benxi mineralized belt belolng to Algoma type BIFs. In conclusion, the characteristics of geology, formation ages, and deposit types of Musan deposit and Anshan-Benxi minerlized belt are very similar.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.781-797
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• 2023

Recently, there has been a rapid response from mineral-demanding countries for securing critical minerals in a high tech industries. Graphite, while overwhelmingly dominated by China in production, is changing in global supply due to the exponential growth in EV battery sector, with active exploration in East Africa. Rare earth elements are essential raw materials widely used in advanced industries. Globally, there are ongoing developments in the production of REEs from three main deposit types: carbonatite, laterite, and ion-adsorption clay types. While China's production has decreased somewhat, it still maintains overwhelming dominance in this sector. Recent changes over the past few years include the rapid emergence of Myanmar and increased production in Vietnam. Nickel has been used in various chemical and metal industries for a long time, but recently, its significance in the market has been increasing, particularly in the battery sector. Worldwide, nickel deposits can be broadly classified into two types: laterite-type, which are derived from ultramafic rocks, and ultramafic hosted sulfide-type. It is predicted that the development of sulfide-type, primarily in Australia, will continue to grow, while the development of laterite-type is expected to be promoted in Indonesia. This is largely driven by the growing demand for nickel in response to the demand for lithium-ion batteries. The global lithium ores are produced in three main types: brine lake (78%), rock/mineral (19%), and clay types (3%). Rock/mineral type has a slightly higher grade compared to brine lake type, but they are less abundant. Chile, Argentina, and the United States primarily produce lithium from brine lake deposits, while Australia and China extract lithium from both brine lake and rock/mineral sources. Canada, on the other hand, exclusively produces lithium from rock/mineral type. Vanadium has traditionally been used in steel alloys, accounting for approximately 90% of its usage. However, there is a growing trend in the use for vanadium redox flow batteries, particularly for large-scale energy storage applications. The global sources of vanadium can be broadly categorized into two main types: vanadium contained in iron ore (81%) produced from mines and vanadium recovered from by-products (secondary sources, 18%). The primary source, accounting for 81%, is vanadium-iron ores, with 70% derived from vanadium slag in the steel making process and 30% from ore mined in primary sources. Intermediate vanadium oxides are manufactured from these sources. Vanadium deposits are classified into four types: vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM), sandstone-hosted, shale-hosted, and vanadate types. Currently, only the VTM-type ore is being produced.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2017

The surveyed mines are located in a polymetallic vein, replacement, and skarn mineral district in the central Andes of Peru. Iscaycruz, which includes underground and open pit mines that produce zinc and lead concentrates, was the largest mineral deposit of an important group of base metal deposits in the Andes of central Peru. The deposits are sub-vertical seams of polymetallic ores(Zn, Cu, and Pb). These seams are hosted by Jurassic and Cretaceous sedimentary rock formation. The intrusion of igneous rocks in these formations originated metallic deposits of metasomatic and skarn types. The Raura mine is composed of polymetallic deposit of veins and replacement orebodies. The main sedimentary unit in the area is Cretaceous Machay Limestone. The Raura depression contains several orebodies each with different mineralization: predominantly Pb-Zn bearing Catuvo orebody; Ag-rich galena-bearing Lake Ninacocha orebody; Cu-Ag bearing Esperanza and Restauradora orebody. Huaron is a hydrothermal polymetallic deposit of silver, lead, zinc, and copper mineralization hosted within structures likely related to the intrusion of monzonite dikes, principally located within the Huaron anticline. Mineralization is encountered in veins parallel to the main fault systems, in replacement bodies known as "mantos" associated with the calcareous sections of the conglomerates and other favourable stratigraphic horizons, and as dissemination in the monzonitic intrusions at vein intersections.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2015

This study investigated genetic, mineralogical and spectral characteristics of oil shale and coal samples in Dundgobi area, Mongolia. Based the Rock/Eval and Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, kerogen type, hydrogen quantity, thermal maturity and depositional environment were confirmed. Moreover, the mineral composition of oil shale and coal samples were analyzed by XRD and spectroscopy. The result of Rock Eval/TOC analysis revealed that the samples of Eedemt deposit are immature to mature source rocks with sufficient hydrocarbon potential, and the kerogen types were classified as Type I, Type II and Type III kerogen. On the other hand, the samples from Shine Us Khudag deposit were mature with good to very good hydrocarbon potential rocks where kengen types are defined as Type I, Type II/III and Type III kerogen. According to the carbon and sulfur contents, the depositional environment of the both sites were defined as a freshwater depositional environment. The XRD analysis revealed that the mineral composition of oil shale and coal samples were quartz, calcite, dolomite, illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, anorthoclase, albite, microcline, orthoclase and analcime. The absorption features of oil shale samples were at 1412 nm and 1907 nm by clay minerals and water, 2206 nm by clay minerals of kaolinite and montmorillonite and 2306 nm by dolomite. It is considered that spectral characteristics on organic matter content test must be tested for oil shale exploration using remote sensing techniques.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.287-308
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• 1990

The Ogmae alunite-kaolinite deposit occurs in acidic tuff, the Hwangsan Tuff, of upper Crataceous age in the Haenam volcanic field, SW Jeonnam. This deposit characterized by advanced argillic alteration formed $71.8{\pm}2.8{\sim}73.9{\pm}2.8$ Ma ago in very shallow depth environment with acid-sulfate solution. Wallrock alteration can be classified into four zones from the center to the margin of the deposit: alunite, kaolinite, illite, and silicified zone. The mineral assemblage in the alunite zone, ore zone, is alunite-quartz-pyritekaolinite. Consideration of stability relation of these minerals suggests that the maximum alteration temperature is estimated at about $250^{\circ}C$ with solution pH of 3 or below assuming that pressure does not exceed 0.3 Kb. Alunite occurs as two different types; replacement and vein-type deposit. The former one consists of fine grained alunite and the later one coarse grained and relatively pure alunite that formed by open space filling. Isomorphous substitution of Na for K in these two types of alunites range 0 to 40 %, indicating that Na/K ratio in the solution is spontaneously changed during the alteration process. Alunite which has higher Na substitution probably formed in an earlier stage while the solution sustain high Na/K ratio. K-Ar age of alunites indicate that the replacement alunite formed earlier($73.9{\pm}2.8Ma$) than the vein-type alunite($71.8{\pm}2.8Ma$). The ${\delta}^{34}S$ value of pyrite and alunite indicate that those minerals formed at isotopically nonequillibrium state. The ${\delta}^{16}O$ and ${\delta}D$ values, of kaolintics 5.0 to 9.0‰ and -54 to -99‰, respectively, indicate that those are formed by hydrothermal solution having magmatic origin which have been diluted by low ${\delta}D$ meteoric water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.455-464
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• 1993

Some nodules occur in the Milyang pyrophyllite deposit which are hydrothermal alteration products by Late Cretaceous andesitic tuff. These nodules are divided into two types on the basis of mineral assemblages; diaspore and pyrophyllite nodules. The diaspore nodules consist mainly of diaspore, kaolinite, pyrophyllite and pyrite with a small amounts of wavellite and tourmaline. They are light purplish grey in color, ellipsoid in shape and range 1 cm to 15 cm in size. A small or large diffuse band exists in some nodules. The platy coarse-grained diaspore is intergrown with the fine-aggregated kaolinite in the central part of the nodule. It appears that the grain size become fine from center to margin. The pyrophyllite nodules, which have the same shape with diaspore nodules, consist dominantly of pyrophyllite accompanied by small amounts of quartz, kaolinite, svanbergite, wavellite, tourmaline and apatite. Chemical compositions of alteration zones and nodules show that the wall rock alteration involved mainly the removal of large quantities of silica and alkalies and small quantities of Ca, Mg and Fe. The sharp increase in the Al content of the nodules is the result of residual concentration of alumina by the leaching of the mobile components. The pyrophyllite nodules were formed in the fluid saturated with quartz as ${\mu}_{HK_{-1}}$ and ${\mu}_{H_{2}O}$ increase. Under this condition, the pyrophyllite-kaolinite-quartz assemblage was stable. Diaspores formed from pyrophyllites in the fluid undersaturated with quartz as ${\mu}_{H_{2}O}$ increases (decreasing temperature). Under this condition, diaspore-pyrophyllite-kaolinite assemblage become stable. The formation temperature of the nodules on the basis of mineral assemblage is estimated as $275{\sim}340^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 1992

Mineral chemistry and stable isotope compositions of sericites from the Sangdong mine in the Kimhae area, Kyungsangnamdo, were studied. The Sangdong sericite deposit occurs in rhyolitic tuff of late Cretaceous age and considers to have been fonned by the hydrothennal alteration. The sericites are classified as $2M_1$ polytype and are characterized by less celadonite substitution indicating muscovite-phengite series. Their compositions are very close to that of the ideal muscovite but net layer charge ranges 1.71~1.91 which is less than 2 per formula unit of ideal muscovite. Predominant interlayer cation is K and K/(K+Na) ratio ranges 0.91 and 0.93. ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of sericites and quartz separated from the ore range 7.70~9.07 and 8.20~10.87‰, respectively. The formation temperature of sericite can be estimated as $315{\sim}340^{\circ}C$( based on ${\delta}^{18}O$ value of sericite and ${\delta}D$ value of of Cretaceous meteoric water. Their formation temperature discrepancy between coexisting sericite and quartz indicates that they are in isotopically inequilibrium. Two types of quartz, coarse grained phenocrysts and micrcrystalline aggregates are observed and the former must have been formed during volcanic eruption and remained isotopically unexchanged during hydrothermal alteration period. ${\delta}^{14}S$ values of pyrites range 1.9~4.5‰ which is within a range of volcanogenic sulfur, indicating magmatic source.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.407-413
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• 2003

The geology of the Apdong Nb-Ta deposit, is hosted by alkali metasomatites, consist of Upper Proterozoic sedimentary rocks, alkali syenites(Hoamsan intrusive) of Phyonggang Complex(late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic), Jurassic granite and Quaternary basalt. Alkali syenites are distinguished as alkali amphibole-pyroxene syenite, alkali amphibole-biotite syenite, biotite-nepheline syenite, biotite syenite, and quartz-alkali amphibole-pyroxene syenite. Alkali metasomatites are the products of intense post-magnatic metasomatism, and form the Nb-Ta ore bodies as the belt, irregular vein and lenticular types in the southern part of Hoamsan intrusive. The ore mineralization is characterized by the occurrence of pyrochlore, zircon, and small amounts of columbite, fergusonite. magnetite, fluorite, molybdenite, ilmenite, titanite, apatite, and monazite. Pyrochlore is one of the niobium/tantalum oxides and contains substantial amounts of rare earths and radioactive elements. The compositional varieties of pyrochlore can be defined: (1) enriched in tantalum, uranium and cerium, (2) substantially tantalum- and fluorine-poor, and (3) enriched in thorium or barium. The geochemical characteristics, ore textures and mineral occurrences indicate that alkali metasomatism of the mineralizing fluid was the dominant ore-forming process.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.223-234
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• 2019

The geology of the Samdeok Mo deposit consists of Paleozoic Hwajeonri formation, Kowoonri formation, Suchangri formation, Iwonri formation, Hwanggangri formation, Cretaceous, leucocratic porphyritic granite and granitic porphyry. This deposit consists of three quartz veins that filled NS oriented fractured zones in Suchangri formation. Quartz veins vary from 0.05 m to 0.3 m in thickness and extend to about 400 m in strike length. Quartz veins occur as massive, breccia, and cavity textures. Wallrock alteration has silicification, sericitization, argillitization and chloritization. The mineralogy of the quartz veins consists of quartz, fluorite, white mica, biotite, apatite, monazite, rutile, ilmenite, molybdenite, chalcopyrite, Fe-Mg-Mn oxide and Fe oxide. White mica from Samdeok Mo deposit occurs as fine or coarse grains in quartz vein and hostrock and has four mineral assemblages (I type: quartz, molybdenite, Fe oxide and Fe-Mg-Mn oxide, II type: quartz, Fe oxide and Fe-Mg-Mn oxide, III type: quartz and biotite, and IV type: quartz). The structural formular of white mica from quartz vein is $(K_{0.89-0.60}Na_{0.05-0.00}Ca_{0.01-0.00}Sr_{0.02-0.00})_{0.94-0.62}(Al_{1.54-1.12}Mg_{0.36-0.18}Fe_{0.26-0.09}Mn_{0.04-0.00}Ti_{0.02-0.00}Cr_{0.02-0.00}Zn_{0.01-0.00})_{1.91-1.72}(Si_{3.40-3.11}Al_{0.92-0.60})_{4.00}O_{10}(OH_{1.68-1.42}F_{0.58-0.32})_{2.00}$, but white mica of I type has higher FeO content, and lower $SiO_2$ and MgO contents than white micas of other types. Also, compositional variations in white mica from the Samdeok Mo deposit are caused by phengitic or Tschermark substitution ($(Al^{3+})^{VI}+(Al^{3+})^{IV}{\leftrightarrow}(Fe^{2+}{\text{ or }}Mg^{2+})^{VI}+(Si^{4+})^{IV}$) and direct $(Fe^{3+})^{VI}{\leftrightarrow}(Al^{3+})^{VI}$ substitution.