• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.77-90
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• 1971

About four hundred deposits of iron, talc, fluorite, tungsten, molybdenum, lead, zinc and other polymetallic mineral deposits were plotted on the Ore Distribution Map of the Ockcheon Geosynclinal Area. These mineral deposits plotted on the map can be divided into the several metallogenic zones by the consideration of their geologic background including the sedimentary and tectonic cycles and the igneous activities in the geosynclinal evolution, as follows: a. Chungju iron and talc zones. b. Cheong-san copper bearing iron sulphide zone c. Kumsan-Muju fluorite-polymetallic zones. d. Cheong-an Puyong and Ein Suckseong gold zone e. Hwang-gan Seolcheon and Sangju gold zones. Chungju iron zone originated in the iron bed in the Kemyongsan Series corresponding to the Pre-Ockcheon Cycle of evolution history. In early period of the Ockcheon Cycle, Hyangsanri quartzite and Munjuri phyllitic formation corresponding to the lower terrigenous sequence were not mineralized while the next sequence of the Samsungsan basic igneous-metamorphic formation and the Changri limestone formation were mineralized by the copper bearing iron sulphide and the fluorite-polymetallic deposits respectively. Two generations of the gold zones are recognized. The earlier generation distributes directionaly in the outside of the Ockcheon sedimentary belt was followed by the earlier grantitic invasion of Jurasic in age, while the later generation scatters at random which was related to the nondirectional Cretaceous granitic intrusion of the Post-Ockcheon Cycle. Conclusively speaking, it was disclosed that the endogenic mineralization in the Ockcheon geosyn clinal zone was not conspicuous in its inner sedimentary belt except its limestone area but in its outer peripheral granitic or gneissic zones, and the related igneous activities occured in the Post-Ockcheon Cycle of evolution history.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.1 s.182
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

The Guemseong mine is located near the southern margin of the Jurassic Jecheon granitoids collectively with the Cambro-Ordovician mixed dolostone-limestone series of the Yeongweol Group, Choseon Supergroup. Here, two spatially distinct types of skarn formation have been observed. The upper transitional skarn is the calcic Mo skarn which has the mineral assemblage of $garnet+hedenbergite+epidote{\pm}wollastonite{\pm}magnetite{\pm}hematite{\pm}amphibole{\pm}chlorite{\pm}vesuvianite$ within the calcite marble. On the other hand, the lower proximal skarn occurs as a discordant magnesian Fe skarn at the contact of Mo-bearing aplitic cupolas with unidirectional solidification texture(UST) within the dolomitic marble. The magnesian Fe skarn has the mineral assemlage $olivine+diopside+magnetite+tremolite+serpentine+talc+chlorite{\pm}phlogopite$. The formation of two different types of skarn and ore mineralization in Geumseong mine have been attributed to multistage and complex metasomatic replacements that ultimately resulted in silicate-oxide-sulfide sequence of metasomatism. An early prograde stage with anhydrous skarn minerals such as olivine, clinopyroxene and/or garnet with magnetite, formed from high temperature (about $500^{\circ}\;to\;400^{\circ}C$) at an environmental condition of low $CO_2$ fugacity ($XCO_2<0.1$) and 0.5 kbar. The later retrograde stage with hydrous silicates such as amphibole, serpentine, phlogopite, epidote and chlorite with molybdenite or hematite, termed from relatively lower temperature (about $400^{\circ}\;to\;300^{\circ}C$).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.115-139
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• 1984

The Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag hydrothermal vein-type deposits which comprise the Sambong mine occur within calc-alkaline volcanics of the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin. The ore mineralization took place through three distinct stages of quartz (I and II stages) and calcite veins (III stage) which fill the pre-existing fault breccia zones. These stages were separated in time by tectonic fracturing and brecciation events. The reflection variations of one mineral depending on mineralization sequence are considered to be resulted from variation in its chemical composition due to different physico-chemical conditions in the hydrothermal system. The reflection power of sphalerite increases with the content of Fe substituted for Zn. Reflectances of the sphalerite grain are lower on (111) than on (100) surface. The spectral profiles depend on the internal reflection color. Sphalerite, showing green, yellow and reddish brown internal reflection, have the highest reflection power at $544m{\mu}$ (green), $593m{\mu}$ (yellow) and $615m{\mu}$ (red) wavelength, respectively. Chalcopyrite is recognized as biaxial negative from the reflectivity data of randomly oriented grains measured at the most sensitivity at $544m{\mu}$. The microindentation hardness against the Fe content (wt. %) for the sphalerite increases to 8.05% Fe and then decreases toward 9.5% Fe content. Vickers hardness of the sphalerite is considerably higher on surface of (100) than on (111). The relationship between Vickers hardness and crystal orientation of the galena was determined to be $VHN_{(111)}$ > $VHN_{(210)}$ > $VHN_{(100)}$. The softer sulfides have the wider variation of the diagonal length in the indentation. Diagonal length in the indentation is pyrite

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.369-381
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• 1990

Most of significant ore deposits in South Korea such as the Sangdong W - Mo, the Yeonhwa Pb-Zn and the Geodo Cu-Fe skarn ore deposits occur at the southern limb of the Hambaeg syncline in the Taebaeg Basin. The mineralization took place in the interbedded limestone of the Myobong Formation and the Pungchon limestone of the Great Limestone Group of the Cambrian age, generally striking E-W and dipping 25-30 degrees north. There are no outcrops of the skarn-type orebody at the northern limb of the syncline. In order to find a clue of a possible hidden orebody localized at the limestones in the northern limb, a lithogeochemical exploration by using carbon isotope and some elements such as Si, Ca, Fe and Al at the Sangdong Mine area has been attempted as for a modelling study. For this study, 45 samples from the Pungchon limestone which do not show any megascopic indication of mineralization have been taken in both the mineralized zone and the unminerallized zone at the Sangdong Mine area. Analytical data show that there are big differences in the contents of CaO and $Al_2O_3$ between the Pungchon limestone of the mineralized zone and that of the unmineralized zone. Carbon isotope data exhibit that ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of the Pungchon limestone in the mineralized zone are highter than those in the unmineralized zone. The difference in the analytical values of CaO, $Al_2O_3$ and the carbon isotope between the mineralized and the unmineralized zones is as follows ; Unminerallized zone Mineralized zone CaO 51.3% 43.5% $Al_2O_3$ 0.6% 2.4% ${\delta}^{13}C$ -0.39 permil -0.56 permil $Fe_2O_3$ 0.9% 1.4% $SiO_2$ 3.0% 2.4% The decrease in the Si content of the Pungchon limestone in the mineralized zone is contrary to the result of the previous study (Moon, 1987). On the basis of identification of the increase in the Al content of the limestone in the mineralized zone, it could be deduced that the decrease in the Si content of the Pungchon limestone might be due to the result of increase in the alteration products mainly occurred along fracture-system such as joint cracks or minor faults and that the phenomena shown by the Si and Al content in the mineralized zone might be derived from the thermal effect of granite extended mineralizing activity to the overlied limestone on the surface. Higher mean values of Fe and Al as well as lower mean values of carbon content and the ${\delta}^{13}C$ than mean values of those in the Pungchon limestone at the northern limb of the Hambaeg Syncline may be applicable in exploration for blind orebodies.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.289-301
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• 1997

The Boguk cobalt mine is located within the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Sedimentary Basin. Major ore minerals including cobalt-bearing minerals (loellingite, cobaltite, and glaucodot) and Co-bearing arsenopyrite occur together with base-metal sulfides (pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, etc.) and minor amounts of oxides (magnetite and hematite) within fracture-filling $quartz{\pm}actinolite{\pm}carbonate$ veins. These veins are developed within an epicrustal micrographic granite stock which intrudes the Konchonri Formation (mainly of shale). Radiometric date of the granite (85.98 Ma) indicates a Late Cretaceous age for granite emplacement and associated cobalt mineralization. The vein mineralogy is relatively complex and changes with time: cobalt-bearing minerals with actinolite, carbonates, and quartz gangues (stages I and II) ${\rightarrow}$ base-metal sulfides, gold, and Fe oxides with quartz gangues (stage III) ${\rightarrow}$ barren carbonates (stages IV and V). The common occurrence of high-temperature minerals (cobalt-bearing minerals, molybdenite and actinolite) with low-temperature minerals (base-metal sulfides, gold and carbonates) in veins indicates a xenothermal condition of the hydrothermal mineralization. High enrichment of Co in the granite (avg. 50.90 ppm) indicates the magmatic hydrothermal derivation of cobalt from this cooling granite stock, whereas higher amounts of Cu and Zn in the Konchonri Formation shale suggest their derivations largely from shale. The decrease in temperature of hydrothermal fluids with a concomitant increase in fugacity of oxygen with time (for cobalt deposition in stages I and II, $T=560^{\circ}C-390^{\circ}C$ and log $fO_2=$ >-32.7 to -30.7 atm at $350^{\circ}C$; for base-metal sulfide deposition in stage III, $T=380^{\circ}-345^{\circ}C$ and log $fO_2={\geq}-30.7$ atm at $350^{\circ}C$) indicates a transition of the hydrothermal system from a magmatic-water domination toward a less-evolved meteoric-water domination. Sulfur isotope data of stage II sulfide minerals evidence that early, Co-bearing hydrothermal fluids derived originally from an igneous source with a ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$ value near 3 to 5‰. The remarkable increase in ${\delta}^{34}S_{H2S}$ values of hydrothermal fluids with time from cobalt deposition in stage II (3-5‰) to base-metal sulfide deposition in stage III (up to about 20‰) also indicates the change of the hydrothermal system toward the meteoric water domination, which resulted in the leaching-out and concentration of isotopically heavier sulfur (sedimentary sulfates), base metals (Cu, Zn, etc.) and gold from surrounding sedimentary rocks during the huge, meteoric water circulation. We suggest that without the formation of the later, meteoric water circulation extensively through surrounding sedimentary rocks the Boguk cobalt deposits would be simple veins only with actinolite + quartz + cobalt-bearing minerals. Furthermore, the formation of the meteoric water circulation after the culmination of a magmatic hydrothermal system resulted in the common occurrence of high-temperature minerals with later, lower-temperature minerals, resulting in a xenothermal feature of the mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.335-349
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• 2014

The Pocheon skarn deposit, located at the northwestern part of the Precambrian Gyeonggi massif in South Korea, occurs at the contact between the Cretaceous Myeongseongsan granite and the Precambrian carbonate rocks, and is also controlled by N-S-trending shear zone. The skarn distribution and mineralogy reflects both structural and lithological controls. Three types of skarn formations based on mineral assemblages in the Pocheon skarn exist; a sodiccalcic skarn and a magnesian skarn mainly developed in the dolostone, and a calcic skarn developed in the limestone. Iron mineralization occurs in the sodic-calcic and magnesian skarn zone, locally superimposed by copper mineralization during retrograde skarn stage. The sodic-calcic skarn is composed of acmite, diopside, albite, garnet, magnetite, maghemite, anhydrite, apatite, and sphene. Retrograde alteration consists of tremolite, phlogopite, epidote, sericite, gypum, chlorite, quartz, calcite, and sulfides. Magnesian skarn mainly consists of diopside and forsterite. Pyroxene and olivine are mainly altered to tremolite, with minor phlogopite, talc, and serpentine. The calcic skarn during prograde stage mainly consists of garnet, pyroxene and wollastonite. Retrograde alteration consists of epidote, vesuvianite, amphibole, biotite, magnetite, chlorite, quartz, calcite, and sulfides. Microprobe analyses indicate that the majority of the Pocheon skarn minerals are enriched by Na-Mg composition and have high $Fe^{3+}/Fe^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}/Fe^{2+}$, and $Al^{3+}/Fe^{2+}$ ratios. Clinopyroxene is acmitic and diopsidic composition, whereas garnet is relatively grossular-rich. Amphiboles are largely of tremolite, pargasite, and magnesian hastingsite composition. The prograde anhydrous skarn assemblages formed at about $400^{\circ}{\sim}500^{\circ}C$ in a highly oxidized environment ($fO_2=10^{-23}{\sim}10^{-26}$) under a condition of about 0.5 kbar pressure and $X(CO_2)=0.10$. With increasing fluid/rock interaction during retrograde skarn, epidote, amphibole, sulfides and calcite formed as temperature decreased to approximately $250^{\circ}{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ at $X(CO_2)=0.10$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.375-390
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• 2013

The Kenticha rare-element (Ta-Li-Nb-Be) mineralized zone is located in ophiolitic fold and thrust complex of southern Ethiopia and was firstly discovered by joint exploration program of Ethiopia-Soviet in 1980s. It includes Dermidama, Kilkele, Shuni Hill, Kenticha, and Bupo pegmatites from south to north. The Kenticha pegmatite intruded parallel to NS-striking serpentinite and talc-chlorite schist, and is exposed approximately 2 km length and 400-700 m width. The Kenticha pegmatite is internally zoned and subdivided into lower quartz-muscovite-albite granite, intermediate muscovite-quartz-albite-microcline pegmatite, and upper spodumene-quartz-albite pegmatite, based on their mineral assemblage. The major, trace elements (e.g., Rb, Li, Nb, Ta, and Ga), and element ratios (e.g., K/Rb, Nb/Ta, Mg/Li, and Al/Ga) suggest that the fractionation and solidification of pegmatite have progressed from the lower towards upper pegmatite. In contrast, unlike general magmatic fractionation, Mg/Li ratios of the Kenticha pegmatite tend to be increased towards the upper pegmatite. It may result from post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration and/or interaction with upper ultramafic rock. Rare-element mineralization in Kenticha pegmatite concentrates on the upper pegmatite, which contains up to 3.0 wt % $Li_2O$, 3,780 ppm Rb, 111 ppm Cs, 1,320 ppm Ta, and 332 ppm Nb. Ore minerals in Kenticha pegmatite mostly include tantalite, spodumene, and lepidolite, and tantalite has an association with coarser quartz-spodumene and relatively fine sacchroidal albite. The tantalite is classified into Mn-tantalite as a function of $Mn^*[Mn/(Mn+Fe)]$ and $Ta^*[Ta/(Ta+Nb)]$ values. Its compositions ($Mn^*$, $Ta^*$, and Nb/Ta) between coarse and fine tantalites are different and the former is strongly enriched in Ta and depleted in Nb compared to latter one. In conclusion, rare-element mineralization in the Kenticha pegmatite may has occurred in the latest stage of magmatic fractionation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.385-396
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• 2012

The geochemical high-grade uranium anormal zone has been reported in the Shinbo mine and its eastern areas, Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do located in the southwestern part of Ogcheon metamorphic zone, Korea. In this paper is reported the time-relationship between deformation and growth of metamorphic minerals in the eastern area of Shinbo mine, which consists of the Precambrian metasedimentary rocks (quartzite, metapelite, metapsammite) and the age-unknown pegmatite and Cretaceous porphyry which intrude them, and is considered the relative mineralization time on the basis of the previous research's result. The D1 deformation formed the straight-type Si internal foliation which is defined mainly as the arrangement of elongate quartz, biotite, opaque mineral in andalusite porphyroblast. The D2 deformation, which is defined by the microfolding of Si foliation, formed S2 crenulation cleavage. It can be divided into two sub-phases, early crenulation and late crenulation. The former occurs as the curvetype Si foliation in the mantle part of andalusite. The latter occurs as S1-2 composite foliation which warps around the andalusite. The andalusite porphyroblast began to grow under non-deformation condition after the formation of S1 foliation which corresponds to the straight-type Si foliation. It continued to grow before the late crenulation phase. The age-unknown pegmatite intruded after the D2 deformation and grew the fibrous sillimanite which random masks the S1-2 composite foliation. The D3 deformation formed F3 fold which folded the S1-2 composite foliation, D2 crenulation, fibrous sillimanite. It means that the intrusion of pegmatite related to the growth of the fibrous sillimanite took place during the inter-tectonic phase of D2 and D3 deformations. The retrograde metamorphism is recognized by the chloritization of biotite and two-way cleavage lamellae which is parallel to the S1-2 composite foliation and the F3 fold axial surface in the andalusite porphyroblast. It occurred during the D2 late crenulation phase and D3 deformation. In considering of the previous research's result inferring the most likely candidate for the uranium source rock as pegamatite, it indicates that the age-unknown pegmatite intruded during the inter-tectonic phase of D2 and D3 deformations, i.e. during the retrograde metamorphism related to the uplifting of crust, and formed the uranium ore zone around the Shinbo mine.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2013

The Daehwa Mo-W deposit is located within the Gyeonggi massif. Quartz and calcite vein mineralization occurred in the Precambrian gneiss and Jurassic granites. Three main types (Type I: liquid-rich $H_2O$ type, Type II: vapor-rich $H_2O$ type, Type III: $CO_2-H_2O$ type) of fluid inclusions were observed and are classified herein based on their phase relations at room temperature. Within ore shoots, type III fluid inclusions have been classified into four subtypes (type IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IIId) based on their volume percent of aqueous and carbonaceous ($CO_2$) phase at room temperatures combined with their total homogenization behavior and homogenization behavior of $CO_2$ phase. Homogenization temperatures of primary type I fluid inclusions in the quartz range from $374^{\circ}C$ to $161^{\circ}C$ with salinities between 13.6 and 0.5 equiv. wt.% NaCl. Homogenization temperatures of primary type III fluid inclusions in quartz of main generation, are in the range of $303^{\circ}C$ to $251^{\circ}C$. Clathrate melting temperatures of the type III fluid inclusions were 7.3 to $9.5^{\circ}C$, corresponding to salinities of 5.2 to 1.0 equiv. wt. % NaCl. Melting and homogenization temperatures of $CO_2$ phase of type III fluid inclusions were -57.4 to $-56.6^{\circ}C$ and 29.0 to $30.8^{\circ}C$, respectively. Fluid inclusion data indicate a complex geochemical evolution of hydrothermal fluids. The Daehwa early hydrothermal system is characterized by $H_2O-CO_2$-NaCl fluid at about $400^{\circ}C$. The main mineralization occurred by $CO_2$ immiscibility at temperatures of about 300 to $250^{\circ}C$. At the late base-metal mineralization aqueous fluid formed by mixing with cooler and less saline meteoric groundwater.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 1994

Copper-bearing hydrothermal vein mineralization of the Samsan area was deposited in two stages (I and II) of quartz-calcite-sulfide veins which fill fissures in Cretaceous volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Gyeongsang basin. The major ore minerals, chalcopyrite and sphalerite, together with pyrite, galena, hematite, and minor sulfosalts, occur with epidote and chlorite as gangue minerals in stage I quartz veins. Chlorite geothermometry, fluid inclusion and stable isotope data indicate that copper ore was deposited mainly at temperatures between $330^{\circ}C$ and $280^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities between 12 and 3 equiv. wt % NaCl. Evidence of fluid boiling indicates a range of pressures from ${\leq}100$ to 200 bars bars. Within ore stage I there was an apparent decrease in ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of $H_{2}S$ with paragenetic time, from 8.0 to 2.3 per mil. This pattern was likely achieved through progressive increases in activity of oxygen accompanying boiling and mixing. In the early part of the first stage, the high temperature, high salinity fluids gave way to progressively cooler and more dilute fluids of the late parts in the first stage and of the second stage. There is a systematic decrease in calculated ${\delta}^{18}O_{water}$ values with decreasing temperature in the Samsan hydrothermal system, from values of -86 per mil for early portion of stage I through -5.9 per mil for late portion of stage I to -6.3 per mil for stage II. The ${\delta}D$ values of fluid inclusion waters also decrease with paragenetic time from -76 per mil to -86 per mil. These trends combined with mineral paragenesis and fluid inclusion data are interpreted to indicate progressive cooler, more oxidizing meteoric water inundation of an early exchanged meteoric hydrothermal system.