[S-CG53] Petrology, Mineralogy & Resource Geology

[SCG53-06] Review of the uranium mineralization and their potential in North Korea

*Cheolwoo Kim^1,2, Jieun Seo² (1.Department of Geology and Mineralogy. Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, 2.Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Science, Korea University)

Keywords:Uranium, Black slate, Placer, North Korea

Estimation of the uranium reserve of North Korea is of paramount importance in the evaluation of the actual reserves of the North Korean nuclear arsenals. However, the previous reviews of the uranium deposits in North Korea are largely relying on unauthentic diplomatic documents and lack discussions with the results of the geological survey conducted in North Korea [1, 2]. Therefore, this study provides a review of the uranium deposits in North Korea based on the actual North Korean geological literatures. This review suggests three types of uranium mineralization in North Korea: black slate-type (type 1), monazite placer-type (type 2), and sandstone-type (type 3).

Type 1 deposits (Pyeongsan, Geumcheon) are restricted in the late Proterozoic- to early Paleozoic carbonaceous strata within the Pyeongnam Basin [3, 4]. Type 2 deposits are present as coastal (Haebang, Hamheung) and river alluvium or eluvium lie over granitic or metagranitic basement (Cheolsan, Hwangryong) [5, 6]. These two types of deposits are currently explored and exploited. Type 3 deposits are shown potential mineralization suggested by several North Korean literatures [7, 8]. The progress in related exploration and technical education for in-situ extraction for this type of deposit supports its presence [9, 10]. This type of mineralization is reported to be hosted in land or shallow marine sediments that are deposited under alternating climates [7, 8, and 11]. According to this paleogeographical criterion, the most suitable candidates for hosting the type 3 uranium mineralization are the Permian Taejawon series in South Pyeongan province and the Mesozoic Hanbongsan series in North Hwanghae province, respectively [12, 13]. Their variegated lithology itself possibly played a role as a reductant for a uranium mineralization within a stratum [11].


References
[1] Park+ (2020) Science & Global Security
[2] IAEA (2020) Chapter 6.4: North Korea. in: World Uranium Geology, Exploration Resources and Production.
[3] Sozinov (2008) Metalliferous Carbonaceous Deposits of the Pkhennam Through of the Sino-Korean Shield. Moscow: GEOS (in Russ.)
[4] Kim (1987) Bulletin of Kim Il Sung Univ. (Nat. Sci.) (in Kor.)
[5] Geological Literature Series of Korea 7 (2011) Pyongyang: Industrial Publishing House (in Kor.)
[6] Han+ (2014) Rare Earth Elements Resources. Pyongyang: Industrial Publishing House (in Kor.)
[7] Park & Om (1971) Geology and Geography (in Kor.)
[8] Om (1971) Geology and Geography (in Kor.)
[9] Kim & Ho (2015) Geological Survey (in Kor.)
[10] Kim & Kang (2017) Underground Uranium Leaching Technology. Publishing House of Kim Chaek Univ. of Techno.(in Kor.)
[11] Hydrogenic Uranium Deposits (1980) Moscow: Atomizdat (in Russ.)
[12] Geological Literature Series of Korea 2 (2009) Pyongyang: Industrial Publishing House (in Kor.)
[13] Geological Literature Series of Korea 3 (2010) Pyongyang: Industrial Publishing House (in Kor.)