• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.417-433
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• 1992

Lead-zinc-copper deposits of the Jeonheung and the Oksan mines around Euiseong area occur as hydrothermal quartz and calcite veins that crosscut Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Gyeongsang Basin. The mineralization occurred in three distinct stages (I, II, and III): (I) quartz-sulfides-sulfosalts-hematite mineralization stage; (II) barren quartz-fluorite stage; and (III) barren calcite stage. Stage I ore minerals comprise pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and Pb-Ag-Bi-Sb sulfosalts. Mineralogies of the two mines are different, and arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, tetrahedrite and iron-rich (up to 21 mole % FeS) sphalerite are restricted to the Oksan mine. A K-Ar radiometric dating for sericite indicates that the Pb-Zn-Cu deposits of the Euiseong area were formed during late Cretaceous age ($62.3{\pm}2.8Ma$), likely associated with a subvolcanic activity related to the volcanic complex in the nearby Geumseongsan Caldera and the ubiquitous felsite dykes. Stage I mineralization occurred at temperatures between > $380^{\circ}C$ and $240^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities between 6.3 and 0.7 equiv. wt. % NaCl. The chalcopyrite deposition occurred mostly at higher temperatures of > $300^{\circ}C$. Fluid inclusion data indicate that the Pb-Zn-Cu ore mineralization resulted from a complex history of boiling, cooling and dilution of ore fluids. The mineralization at Jeonheung resulted mainly from cooling and dilution by an influx of cooler meteoric waters, whereas the mineralization at Oksan was largely due to fluid boiling. Evidence of fluid boiling suggests that pressures decreased from about 210 bars to 80 bars. This corresponds to a depth of about 900 m in a hydrothermal system that changed from lithostatic (closed) toward hydrostatic (open) conditions. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfide minerals (${\delta}^{34}S=2.9{\sim}9.6$ per mil) indicate that the ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$ value of ore fluids was ${\approx}8.6$ per mil. This ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$ value is likely consistent with an igneous sulfur mixed with sulfates (?) in surrounding sedimentary rocks. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values of ore-forming fluids suggest meteoric water dominance, approaching unexchanged meteoric water values. Equilibrium thermodynamic interpretation indicates that the temperature versus $fs_2$ variation of stage I ore fluids differed between the two mines as follows: the $fs_2$ of ore fluids at Jeonheung changed with decreasing temperature constantly near the pyrite-hematite-magnetite sulfidation curve, whereas those at Oksan changed from the pyrite-pyrrhotite sulfidation state towards the pyrite-hematite-magnetite state. The shift in minerals precipitated during stage I also reflects a concomitant $fo_2$ increase, probably due to mixing of ore fluids with cooler, more oxidizing meteoric waters. Thermodynamic consideration of copper solubility suggests that the ore-forming fluids cooled through boiling at Oksan and mixing with less-evolved meteoric waters at Jeonheung, and that this cooling was the main cause of copper deposition through destabilization of copper chloride complexes.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.215-232
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• 2020

The study area of Nokjeonri in Yeongwol belongs to the Taebaeksan Mineralized District. Ca and Mg skarn and related ore mineralization are developed in the Pungchon formation along the contact with the Imog granite. Ca skarn hosted in limestone mostly comprises garnet and pyroxene. Mg skarn developed in dolomite includes olivine and serpentine. Magnetite-hematite and pyrrhotite(±scheelite)-pyritegalena-sphalerite were mineralized during early and late stage, respectively. Garnet compositions are dominated by andradite series in proximal area and grossular series in distal area. Pyroxene compositions correspond to diopside series in majority. These compositional changes indicate that the fluids varied from oxidizing condition to reducing condition due to increased reaction with carbonated wall rocks as the fluids moved from the granite to a distal place. Fe₂O₃ and MgO concentrations of magnetite are higher in Mg skarn than those in Ca skarn, while FeO shows opposite trend. The Zn/Fe ratio of sphalerite increases with distance from the Imog granite. The δ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals are similar to those of the Imog granite, indicating magmatic origin in ore sulfur. Mineralization was established in the order of skarn, oxide and sulfide minerals with decreasing temperature and oxygen fugacity and increasing sulfur fugacity.

• 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.3 no.2
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• pp.55-73
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• 1970

The district investigated covers the central and southern portions of the Uiryong Quadrangle amounting to $40km^2$ in area and is bounded approximately by geographical coordinates of $128^{\circ}$ 28' $40^{{\prime}{\prime}}{\sim}128^{\circ}$ 24' 25"E in longitude and $35^{\circ}10{\prime}{\sim}35^{\circ}14^{\prime}06^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$ in latitude. The purpose of this investigation was to provide basic information in drawing up a comprehensive development plan of the copper ore deposits known to exist in the HamanKumbuk district with special emphasis given to the ascertainment of geological and paragenetic characteristics. The area consists chiefly of shale, sandy shale and chert, all belong to Kyongsang System of Cretaceous age. Intruded into these rocks are andesite, granodiorite, basic dikes, and acidic dikes. The mineralization which took place in the area, consists of mostly fissure-filling vein deposits, numbering several tens, with varying magnitudes. The fissures and shear zones created in rocks, such as chert and granodiorite, hosted the deposition of mineralizing vapors and/or hydrothermal solutions along their openings. The strike lengths of these veins vary from 50 to 600 meters in extension and 0.1 to 3 meters in width. Although the degree of fluctuation in width is great, it averages 0.3m. The stuctural patterns, which apparently affected the deposition of veins, are fissure patterns, trend NS to $N30^{\circ}W$, and steep-pitching tension fractures as well as normal fault pattern. Ore minerals associated with vein matters are primarily chalcopyrite and small amounts of scheelite, cobaltiferous arsenopyrite, and gold and silver intimately associated with sulphide minerals. Associated with these ore mineral are pyrite, pyrrhotite, magnetite, specularite and arsenopyrite. Gangue minerals noted are quartz, calcite, chlorite, tourmaline and hornblende. In terms of the compositions of associated minerals, the vein deposits in the district could be grouped under the following four categories: 1. Pyrrhoitite, Arsenopyrite, Gold and Silver Bearing Copper Vein (Type I) 2. Calcite-Scheelite-Copper Vein (Type II) 3. Magnetite-Pyrite-Copper Vein (Type III) 4. Tourmaline Copper Vein (Type IV) Of the four types, the first and the fourth are presently yielding relatively higher grades: of copper ores and concentrates. The estimated ore reserves total some 222,000 metric tons with the following breakdown in terms of metal contents: Name of Mines Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) Reserves(M/T) Kunbuk 15.92 78.69 6,074 60.498 Cheil Kunbuk - - 1.040 60,847 Haman - - 2.688 101,204 222,549 As rehabilitation of old workings and/or exploration of veins at depth proceed, additional estimation of ore reserves may become apparent and necessary. With regard to the problem of beneficiation and upgrading of low-grade ores in the district, it would be advisable to make decisions on location, treating capacity and mill flowsheet after sufficient amount of exploration is completed as suggested in the report.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 1995

In Dongnam area, Cretaceous igneous rocks, such as diorite, porphyritic granite, and quartz porphyry intruded Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, such as Myobong slate and Pungchon limestone. The Dongnam Fe-Mo skarn deposits were imposed on the diorite(endoskarn) and the Myobong slate(exoskarn). The ore deposits consist mainly of magnetite and molybdenite with small amounts of sulfides, such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite. The igneous rocks show nearly constant $^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb(18.80{\sim}19.06)$ and $^{207}Pb/^{204}Pb(15.71{\sim}15.72)$ ratios. Their $^{207}Pb/^{204}Pb$ ratios higher than the typical ratios of orogene suggest that the igeneous rocks were formed from lower crust(or mantle) - derived magma excessively contaminated by upper crustal materials such as high radiogenic Precambrian basement rocks. The lead isotopic compositions of the igneous rocks, the Pungchon limestone, and the ore minerals show a well defined linear in $^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb$ - $^{207}Pb/^{204}Pb$ plot. The lead isotopic compositions of the igneous rocks are similar to those of magnetite and galena, which were formed at early skarn stage and significantly lower than those of altered quartz porphyry, molybdenites, and pyrite, which were formed at late epithermal alteration stage. Considering the systematic variation of the lead isotopic compositions in the ore minerals according to hydrothermal stages, the variation may be due to a relative variation in surrounding rock(Pungchon limestone) involvement in hydrothermal ore solution leaching the surrounding rock. Therefore, the variation of the lead isotopic compositions in ore minerals can be modeled in terms of the mixing of the leads derived from the igneous rocks as low radiogenic source and the surrounding rock(Pungchon limestone) as high radiogenic source.

• 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.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1984

The tin and tungsten deposits are embedded around the age unknown Buncheon granite gneiss which intruded the Precambrian schists, gneiss and amphibolites in Bonghwa-Uljin area. Pegmatite dike swarm developed intermittently about 4km along the southern border of Buncheon granite gneiss at Wangpiri area. Thickness of pegmatite dikes range from 0.5 to 15m. Pegmetite is consisted of quartz, microcline, albite, muscovite and frequently topaz, tourmaline, garnet, fluorite, fluorapatite and lepidolite. Pegmatite dikes are greisenized, albitized and microclinized along dike walls. Cassiterites are irregularly disseminated through the intensely greienized and albitized parts of the pegmatite. Cassiterite crystals are mainly black to dark brown and contain considerable Ta and Nb. Average Ta and Nb contents of the four cassiterite samples are 5300 and 3400 ppm. The Ssangjeon tungsten deposits is embedded within the pegmatite dike developed along the northern contact of Buncheon granite gneiss with amphibolite. This pegmatite developed 2km along the strike and thickness varies from 10 to 40m. Mineral constituents of the pegmatite are quartz, microcline, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, tourmaline and garnet. Ore minerals are ferberite and scheelite with minor amount of molybdenite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pentlandite, bismuthinite, marcasite, and fluorite. Color and occurrence of quartz reveals that quartz formed at three different stages; quartz I, the earliest milky white quartz formed as a rock forming mineral of simple pegmatite; quartz II, gray to dark gray quartz which replace the minerals associated with quartz I; quartz III, the latest white translucent quartz which replace the quartz I and H. All of the ore minerals are precipitated during the quartz II stage. Fluid inclusion in quartz I and II are mainly gaseous inclusions and liquid inclusions are contained in quartz III and fluorite. Salinities of the inclusion in quartz I and II ranges from 4.5 to 9.5 wt. % and 5.1 to 6.0 wi. % equivalent NaCl respectively. Salinities of the inclusion in fluorite range from 3.5 to 8.3 wt. % equivalent NaCl. Homogenization temperatures of the inclusion in quartz I, II and III range from 415 to $465^{\circ}C$, from 397 to $441^{\circ}C$ and 278 to $357^{\circ}C$. Data gathered in this study reveals that tin and tungsten mineralization in this area are one of prolonged event after the pegmatite formation around Buncheon granite gneiss.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.513-525
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• 2009

The Buyeong gold-silver deposit consists of quartz veins that fill along the NS fault zone within Cretaceous Goseong formation. Mineralization can be divided into hypogene and supergene stages. Hypogene stage is associated with hydrothermal alteration minerals such as sericite, pyrite, chlorite, epidote and sulfides such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and galenobismutite. Supergene stage is composed of malachite, goethite, chalcocite, and sphalerite oxide. Fluid inclusion data indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinities range from 112 to $340^{\circ}C$ and from 0.2 to 7.9 wt.% NaCl, respectively. Sulfur(3.2~3.9‰) isotope composition indicates that ore sulfur was derived from mainly magmatic source as well as partly host rocks. The calculated oxygen(4.3~6.0‰) and hydrogen(-60~-64‰) isotope compositions indicate that hydrothermal fluids may be meteoric origin with some degree of mixing of another meteoric water for paragenetic time.

• Proceedings of the Mineralogical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.119-136
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• 2002

Contrasts in the style of the gold-silver mineralization in geologic and tectonic settings in Korea, together with radiometric age data, reflect the genetically different nature of hydrothermal activities, coinciding with the emplacement age and depth of Mesozoic magmatic activities. It represents a clear distinction between the plutonic settings of the Jurassic Daebo orogeny and the subvolcanic environments of the Cretaceous Bulgugsa igneous activities. During the Daebo igneous activities (c.a. 200-150 (?) Ma) coincident with orogenic time, gold mineralization took place between c.a. 195 and 135 (127 ?) Ma. The Jurassic Au deposits commonly show several characteristics; prominent association with pegmatites, low Ag/hu ratios in the ore-concentrating parts, massive vein morphology and a distinctively simple mineralogy including Fe-rich sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, Au-rich electrum, pyrrhotite and/or pyrite. During the Bulgugsa igneous activities $(110\~50Ma)$, the precious-metal deposits are generally characterized by such features as complex vein morphology, medium to high AE/AU ratios in the ore concentrates, and diversity of ore minerals including base-metal sulfides, pyrite, arsenopyrite, Ag-rich electrum and native silver nth Ag sulfides, Ag-Sb-As sulfosalts and Ag tellurides. Vein morphology, mineralogical, fluid inclusion and stable isotope results indicate the diverse genetic natures of hydrothermal systems in Korea. The Jurassic Au-dominant deposits (orogenic type) were formed at the relatively high temperature $(about\;300^{\circ}\;to\;450^{\circ}C)$ and deep-crustal level $(4.0{\pm}1.5\;kb)$ from the hydrothermal fluids containing more amounts of magmatic waters $(\delta\;^{18}O_{H2O}\;5\~10\%_{\circ})$. It can. It can be explained by the dominant ore-depositing mechanisms as $CO_2$ boiling and sulfidation, suggestive of hypo- to mesothermal environments. In contrast, the Cretaceous Au-dominant $(l13\~68\;Ma),\;Au-Ag \;(108\~47\;Ma)$ and Ag-dominant $(103\~45\;Ma)$ deposits, which correspond to volcanic-plutonic-related type, occurred at relatively low temperature $(about\;200^{\circ}\;to\;350^{\circ}C)$ and shallow-crustal level $(1.0\{pm}0.5\;kb)$ from the ore-forming fluids containing more amounts of less-evolved meteoric waters$(\delta\;^{18}O_{H2O}\;-10\~5\%_{\circ})$. These characteristics of the Cretaceous precious-metal deposits can be attributed to the complexities in the ore-precipitating mechanisms (mixing, boiling, cooling), suggestive of epi- to mesothermal environments. Therefore, the differences of the emplacement depth between the Daebo and the Bulgugsa igneous activities directly influence the unique temporal and spatial association of the deposit styles.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.4 s.50
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• pp.337-346
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• 2006

The Jinwon Pb-Zn deposit is located within the Precambrian Youngnam Massif. Ore mineralization at the Jinwon deposit occurred in quartz veins that filled fractures in the Hongjesa granite. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages(stage I and II). Stage I, at which the precipitation of major ore minerals occurred, is further divided into two substages with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: substage la is characterized by pyrite, arsenopyrite ($28.4{\sim}30.3$ atomic % As), pyrrhotite, magnetite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite ($13.1{\sim}16.0$ mole % FeS) assemblages; substage $I_a$ is represented by main precipitation of Zn, Pb minerals and is characterized by sphalerite ($15.1{\sim}19.0$ mole % FeS), galena, miargyrite, argentile assemblages. Stage II is economically barren quartz veins. Thermodynamics study is used to estimate changes in chemical conditions of the hydrothermal fluids during stage I mineralization, the main ore deposition period at the Jinwon hydrothermal system. The range of estimated sulfur fugacity ($fs_2$) was from $10^{-7}\;to\;10^{-16}$ atm and oxygen fugacity ($fo_2$) was in the range of $10^{-32.8}{\sim}10^{-38.5} atm$. Carbon dioxide fugacity ($fco_2$) was $<10^{-0.6} atm$.