• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 1992

Precambrian metamorphic rocks of the Gapyeong-Cheongpyeong area consist of banded gneiss, augen gneiss, leucocratic gneiss, quartz schist and quartzite, together with minor intercalations of serpentinite, amphibolite and marble. Mineral assemblages of meta-sedimentary rocks are classified into three types: sillimanite-free; sillimanite-bearing; and sillimanite+K-feldspar-bearing assemblages. Compositions of metamorphic phases depend on the type of mineral assemblages. In particular, the Ca contents of plagioclase and garnet are high in sillimanite-free assemblges. Kyanite occurs in three samples, and coexists with sillimanite in one sample. The presence of kyanite indicates that metamorphic rocks of the study area have experienced the Barrovian type metamorphism. Peak metamorphic conditions estimated from various geothermobarometers and phase equilibria are 618-674$^{\circ}C$ and 6.5${\pm}$2.0 kbar for sillimanite-free assemblages, and 701-740$^{\circ}C$ and 4.4${\pm}$0.8 kbar for sillimanite-bearing assemblages, respectively. Furthermore, a clockwise P-T-time path is deduced for the study area, based on the following observations: (1) the polymorphic transition of kyanite to sillimanite, (2) the occurrence of sillimanite and K-feldspar belonging to the upper amphibolite facies, and finally (3) the retrograde metamorphism characterized by muscovite-, chlorite-, and actinolite-bearing assemblages.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 2022

In line with the megatrend of 2050 carbon neutrality, the amount of critical minerals used in clean-energy technology is expected to increase fourfold and sixfold, respectively, according to the Paris Agreement-based scenario as well as the 2050 carbon-neutrality scenario. And, in the case of Korea, in terms of the battery supply chain used for secondary batteries, the midstream that manufactures battery materials and battery cell packs shows strength, but the upstream that provides and processes raw materials is experiencing difficulties. The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources has established a strategy to secure lithium, nickel, and cobalt and is conducting surveys to respond to the upstream risk of these types of battery raw materials. In the case of lithium, exploration has been carried out in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do since 2020, and by the end of 2021, the survey area was selected for precision exploration by synthesizing all exploration data and building a 3D model. Potential resources will be assessed in 2022. In the case of nickel, the prospective site will be selected by the end of 2022 through a preliminary survey targeting 10 nickel sulfide deposits that have been prospected in the past. In the case of cobalt, Boguk cobalt is known only in South Korea, but there is only a record that cobalt was produced as a minor constituent of hydrothermal deposit. According to the literature, a cobalt ore body was found in the contact area between serpentinite and granite, and a protocol for cobalt exploration in Korea will be established.

• 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.