• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 1997

Dark to pale green-colored, Cr-bearing sericites from hydrothermal alteration zone of the Narim gold deposit were investigated mineralogically and geochemically. The alteration zone is composed mineralogically of quartz, carbonate minerals and green sericite with minor amounts of chlorite, barite and sulfide minerals (pyrite, sphalerite, galena). The zone is enriched in As (967 to 1520 ppm), Cu (31 to 289 ppm), Ni (1027 to 1205 ppm), Pb (0.20 to 1.24 wt.%) and Zn (1.03 to 1.07 wt. %) compared with fresh rocks such as granitic gneiss, porphyritic biotite granite and basic dyke. The Cr, probably the chromophore element, is highly enriched in the alteration zone (1140 to 1500 ppm), host granitic gneiss (1200 ppm) and porphyritic biotite granite (1200 ppm). Occurrence and grain size of sericite are diverse, but most of the Cr-bearing sericites (150 to $200{\mu}m$ long and 20 to $30{\mu}m$ wide) occur along the boundaries between ore veins and host rocks (especially basic dyke and granitic gneiss). X-ray diffraction data of the sericite show its monoclinic form with unit-cell parameters of $a=5.202{\AA}$, $b=8.994{\AA}$, $c=20.103{\AA}$, ${\beta}=95.746^{\circ}$ and $V=935.83{\AA}^3$, which are similar with the normal 2M1-type muscovite. Representative chemical formula of the sericite is ($K_{1.54}Ca_{0.03}Na_{0.01}$)($Al_{3.42}Mg_{0.38}Cr_{0.14}Fe_{0.06}V_{0.02}$)($Si_{6.69}Al_{1.31}$)$O_{20}(OH)_4$. The Cr content increases with decrease of the octahedral Al content, and ranges from 0.36 to 2.58 wt.%. DTA and TG curves of the sericite show endothermic peaks at $342^{\circ}$ to $510^{\circ}$, $716^{\circ}$ to $853^{\circ}$ and $1021^{\circ}C$, which are due to the expulsion of hydroxyl group. The total weight loss by heating is measured to be about 8.8 wt. %, especially at $730^{\circ}C$. Infrared absorption experiments of the sericite show broad absorption band due to the O-H bond stretching vibration near the $3625cm^{-1}$, coupled with the 825 and $750cm^{-1}$ doublet. The vibration bands related with the H-O-Al and Si-O-Al bonds occur at $1030cm^{-1}$ and 500 to $700cm^{-1}$, respectively. Based on paragonite content of the sericite, the formation temperature of the Narim gold deposit is calculated to be $220{\pm}10^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.137-147
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• 2017

Sericite is a clay mineral that has a wide applications in the industry, depending on its purity. To maintain sericite's purity as high as possible it is necessary to remove its gangue minerals or control their contents prior to use for high value-added products and applications. In this study, the wet beneficiation of sericite by applying selective grinding and sedimentation techniques, were investigated. The ore mineral was composed mainly of sericite, quartz and calcite. Analysis showed that the content of sericite increased along with the particle size decrease, but the contents of impurity minerals as quartz and calcite were tended to decrease relatively with particle size decrease. The results of liberation tests using an attrition scrubber showed that the increase in residence time and slurry density have increased the generation of fine particles in -325 mesh size range. It was observed, however, that the contents of impurities such as quartz and calcite in such fine particles also increased during prolonged scrubbing. In the dispersed form without breaking, the yield of the recovered concentrate was 15.4 wt% and the $K_2O$ content was 9.84 wt%, after the dispersed slurry was allowed to settle for 20 minutes. On the other hand, the concentrate yield was increased to 23.4 wt% after 10 minute attrition scrubbing and 40 minute sedimentation, while its $K_2O$ content was decreased to 9.71 wt%. Most of final products were observed as platelet-shaped particles containing Si, Al and K which are main component of sericite.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2008

The photoprotective effects of minerals from Korean indigenous ores, consisting mainly of sericite, on UVA-irradiated human dermal fibroblast (HDF) were examined. Zymographic analysis showed that the treatment of the minerals significantly reduced the UVA-enhanced MMP-1 activity and mRNA level. The minerals also showed strong inhibitory effect on MMP-2 activity and mRNA expression. Moreover, the minerals were better than polyphenol in reducing MMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions. Notably, the minerals significantly enhanced collagen biosynthesis in the HDF. Inhibition of the elastase activity and protection against the oxidatively damaged HDF cell were also found in the presence of the minerals. Taken together, the ore minerals may be used as the potent photo-protective and anti-skin-aging ingredients which can prevent skin cell damage by UVA.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.199-222
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• 1970

One of the biggest sulfide metallic (Cu, Pb, Zn) ore deposits of South Korea is located in the area of Seo-myeon, Shiheung-gun, Gyeonggi-do. Geology of the region is mostly composed of metasediments of biotite schist, graphite schist, injection gneiss, sericite schist, limesilicate and quartzite from bottom, those are applicable to so-called Yeoncheon System of Pre-Cambrian, and granodiorite, quartz porphyry, basic dykes are outcroped in a small scope as intrusives. The origin of the ore deposit is pyrometasomatic contact deposits due to hydrothermal replacement and the ore bodies are imbedded in lower bed of limesilicate formation as impregnation and ore minerals are galena, sphalerite, marmatite, chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, covellite, and the later two minerals are both hypogene and supergene. Gangue minerals are mostly skarn minerals those hornblende, diopside, epidote, hedenbergite, chlorite, garnet and quartz except primary calcite and quartz. Boundary plane (NS strike) between schists and limesilicate seemed to be primary opening of ore solution and fractures bearing $N50^{\circ}{\sim}80^{\circ}W$ are secondary structural control for localization of ore minerals and the third structural controls are both irregular gashes and schistosity in small scale. Photogeological study was carried with vertical aerial photo scaled 1: 38,000 and enlarged 1 : 10,000 under stereoscope. The study on the area convinced the fact that the geologic boundaries between rocks, limesilicates and quartzites, are traced easily by their typical topographic feature and drainage, and the main fracture patterns which derived from the result of fracture traces, that photogeologic lineament observed under stereoscope, are those bearing (1) $N20^{\circ}W$, (2) $N58^{\circ}W$, (3) $N76^{\circ}W$, (4) EW, (5) $N20^{\circ}W$, (6) $N62^{\circ}W$, (7) $N77^{\circ}W$. Among the written fractures, (5) (not schistosity, in case of fault) (6) (7) are post-mineral faults and others are pre-mineral faults and others are pre-mineral structures, and (2) (3) (6) (7) are coincided with statistical figure of 208 fractures surveyed in underground. By the result of the study, mineralized zone, are presumed to extend north and southward, total length about 4km.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1969

In the Sangdong Mine area, Taebaegsan series (Pre-Cambrian) and Chosun System (Cambro-ordovician) are widely distributed. The Chosun System consists of Yangdug Series (Jangsan Quartzite and Myobong Slate) and The Great Limestone Series (Pungchon Limestone, Shesong Shale, Hwajeol Formation and Dongjeom Quartzite). The mineralized zone containing the main ore body of the Sangdong Mine was developed in the Myobong Slate formation. The result of the field and microscopic study on the mineral paragenesis and it's wall rock alteration in the tungsten ore deposit shows the following features. The orogenic movements of the Post-Chosun System in the Hambaeg Geosyncline are closely related to the tungsten ore deposition in the area, the ore minerals are composed mainly of scheelite, powelite molybdenite and sulfide minerals, and gangue minerals are hornblende, diopside, garnet, quartz, phlogopite, tremolite, biotite, muscovite, fluorite, etc., main ore body was enriched by scheelite bearing quartz vein filling into interstices of formerly mineralized zones, and the minor faults, faults of N $60^{\circ}-70^{\circ}W$, $45^{\circ}-60^{\circ}NE$ and joints, which were formed at the end of the mineralization and the slate. Country rock of the ore body was altered into the following several zones from the outside to the inside; lowgrade recrystalline aureole, silicified sericite zone, and diopside-hornblende zone. Under the microscopic observation of 195 samples taken from throughout ore body can be classified into 10 different groups by their mineral paragenesis as shown in table 2. The garnet-diopside group is primary skarn and it shows gradational change to the groups of later stage by the successive processes of metasomatism. From the stage of quartz-bearing group, the dissemination of scheelite is seen. The crystallization of scheelite in the bed started with the quartz deposition and continued to the last stage when quartz vein intruded into the main ore body. In the field and the under ground investigation a durable limestone bed in thickeness about 20 meters and their remnants in ore body are observed and under microscope calcite remnants are recognized. Hence it is posturated that the ore material moved up through the faults, shear zones or feather cracks and was assimilated with the interbeded limestone, after that the body was affected by the successive differentiated ore solution by gradational increasing in $SiO_2$, $K_2O$ and $H_2O$. Evidently this ore deposit shows the features resulted from pyrometasomatic processes.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.674-682
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• 2005

The Samsung mine is located in Jeongsan-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, and is produces sericite ores. The purpose of this study is to investigate the geology and mineralogy of sericite one and its host-rock together with the alteration processes and age of sericitization. Geological survey, polarizing microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, X-ray fluorescent analysis, differential thermal analysis, and K/Ar isotope study have been employed for this study. The mine area is composed of Precambrian granite-gneiss and mica schist, and also Jurassic biotite granite. Serictization has occured within the granite-gneiss, and is interpreted to be formed by hydrothermal alteration. The sericite was formed by the breakdown of orthoclase, plagioclase, and biotite, respectively. With sericitization intensity increase, $SiO_2\;and\;Na_2O$ contents are decreased, while $Al_2O_3\;and\;K_2O$ increased. The formation age of sericite has been determined to be Jurassic, which corresponds well to the intrusion age of the biotite granite nearby.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.521-529
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the natural origin of fluorine contained in the rocks within the Eulwangsan area via petrological and mineralogical analyses. The main geology of the Yongyudo Eulwangsan area is Triassic biotite granite. Biotite granite and mylonite are the major rock types containing fluorine at high levels (up to 1,700 and 2,400 mg/kg for biotite granite and mylonite, respectively). In the case of the biotite granite, a high concentration of fluorine can be contributed to fluorite, and the results of microscopic analyses show that the fluorite was observed as small veinlets filling cleavages and micro-fractures within alkali-feldspars and plagioclases, or observed together with quartz in ore veins, indicating the secondary formation of fluorite by hydrothermal fluids. In mylonite, on the other hand, a high fluorine concentration is attributable to sericite. Microscopic analyses revealed that the boundary between sericite and surrounding quartz was not clear, the sericite occurred filling the micro-fractures of quartz and encapsulating small quartz cataclasts. These results indicate that the sericite was also formed as a result of hydrothermal alteration. Consequently, it is speculated that the high fluorine level in the rocks of the Eulwangsan area of Yongyudo is of natural origin due to hydrothermal processes.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 1994

The Anyang Feldspar Mine is located in Seoksu Dong, Anyang City, Kyeonggi Do, Korea and has a long exploitation record that is once produced high grade sodium feldspars, for glaze. Geologically, This area is mainly composed of Mesozoic Jurassic biotite granite (Anyang granite) which intruded Precambrian Kyeonggi Gneiss Complex outcroped near the mining area. The deposit is localized on the southwest hill side of Anyang granite batholith and is confined in hydrothemal alteration zone formed by sodium-rich alkali hydrothermal fluids along the fractures of leucocratic granite showing later differentiation facies in the biotite granite. The hydrothermal alteration is characterized by albitization, sericitization, and desilication. The microscopic observation and EPMA, XRD analysis of the feldspar ores show that major minerals are albite and quartz and accessory minerals are orthoclase and sericite, and they are rarely associated with perthite, fluorite, zircon, kaolinite, molybdenite, microcline and iron-oxide. In the REE pattern, the strong negative Eu anomalies of the feldspar ores indicate the influence of feldspar fractionation and show similiar pattern of the host leucocratic granite. The filling temperature of quartz crystals in ore zone ranges from $276^{\circ}C$ to $342^{\circ}C$, and it is inferred that the alteration occurred by the hypothermal solution.

• 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.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.101-114
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• 1992

Occurrences of many kaolin-pyrophyllite deposits in the Youngnam area is related to the Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks, which are widely distributed through southern part from Tongnae-Yangsan to Miryang-Wolsung. The mode of occurrence and genesis of the kaolin-pyrophyllite deposits related to the volcanism was studied. This area is covered by andesitic rocks, rhyolite and rhyolitic welded tuff in ascending order. Lower most andesitic part is almost fresh. The altered rocks in the rhyolitic welded tuff can be classified into the following zones: silicified, pyrophyllite-kaolin, and argillic zone from the center part of ore deposit. The clay deposits occur as irregular massive, layer and funnel type about 5~20 m in width and is accompanied by thin diaspore bed outside of ore shoot. The clays chiefly consist of kaolinite, sericite, pyrophyllite, a little amount of diaspore, alunite, dumortierite, corundum and pyrite. The process of kaolinization-pyrophyllitization has a close relation to a local acidic hydrothermal solution originated from granitic rocks. Acidic hydothermal alteration occurrs mainly in the rhyolitic welded tuff. Initial solution containing $H_2S$ and others was oxidized near the surface and formed hydrothermal sulfuric acid solution.