The properties and preparation of talc have long been investigated due to its diverse industrial applications, which have expanded recently. However, its comminution behavior is not yet fully understood. Therefore, having better control of the particle size and properties of talc during manufacturing is required. In this study, we investigate the effect of the ball size in a high-energy ball mill on the comminution rate and particle size reduction. High-energy ball milling at 2000 rpm produces ultrafine talc particles with a surface area of 419.1 m²/g and an estimated spherical diameter of 5.1 nm. Increasing the ball size from 0.1 mm to 2 mm increases the comminution rate and produces smaller talc particles. The delamination of (00l) layers is the main comminution behavior when using 1 mm and 2 mm balls, but both the delamination and rupture of (00l) layers occurs when using 0.1 mm balls. The aggregation behavior of ground talc is also affected by the ball size. Larger aggregations form in aqueous solution when ground with 0.1 mm balls than with 1 mm or 2 mm balls, which highlights the different hydro-phobicities of ground talc. The results indicate that optimizing the ball size facilitates the formation of talc particles of a suitable size, crystallinity, and aggregation properties.

This study introduced a detection method for magnesite and associated gangue minerals, including dolomite, calcite, and talc, based on mineralogical, chemical, and hyperspectral analyses using hand samples from thirteen different source locations and Specim hyperspectral short wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral images. Band ratio methods and logistic regression models were developed based on the spectral bands selected by the random forest algorithm. The mineralogical analysis revealed the heterogeneity of mineral composition for naturally occurring samples, showing various carbonate and silicate minerals as accessory minerals. The Mg and Ca composition of magnesite and dolomite varied significantly, inferring the mixture of minerals. The spectral characteristics of magnesite and associated gangue minerals showed major absorption features of the target minerals mixed with the absorption features of accessory carbonate minerals and talc affected by mineral composition. The spectral characteristics of magnesite and dolomite showed a systematic shift of the Mg-OH absorption features toward a shorter wavelength with an increased Mg content. The spectral bands identified by the random forest algorithm for detecting magnesite and gangue minerals were mainly associated with spectral features manifested by Mg-OH, CO₃, and OH. A two-step band ratio classification method achieved an overall accuracy of 92% and 55.2%. The classification models developed by logistic regression models showed a significantly higher accuracy of 98~99.9% for training samples and 82–99.8% for validation samples. Because the samples were collected from heterogeneous sites all over the world, we believe that the results and the approach to band selection and logistic regression developed in this study can be generalized to other case studies of magnesite exploration.

Numerous reports have successfully detected or differentiated carbonate minerals such as calcite and dolomite by using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). However, there is a need to determine whether existing methods can differentiate magnesite from other carbonate minerals. This study proposes optimal band ratio combinations and new thresholds to distinguish magnesite, dolomite, and calcite using ASTER shortwave-infrared (SWIR) data. These were determined based on the spectral and chemical analysis of rock samples collected from Liaoning, China and Danchon, North Korea and the reflectance values from ASTER images. The results demonstrated that the simultaneous use of thresholds 2.13 and 2.015 for relative absorption band depths (RBDs) of (6 + 8)/7 and (7 + 9)/8, respectively, was the most effective for magnesite differentiation. The use of RBDs and band ratios to discriminate between dolomite and calcite was sufficiently effective. However, talc, tremolite, clay, and their mixtures with dolomite and calcite, which are commonly found in the study area, hampered the classification. The assessment of the ASTER band ratios for magnesite grade according to magnesium oxide content indicated that a band ratio of 5/6 was the most effective for this purpose. Therefore, this study proved that ASTER SWIR data can be effectively utilized for the identification and grade assessment of magnesite on a regional scale.

This paper demonstrates an integrative 3D model of short-wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral mapping and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based digital elevation model (DEM) for a carbonate rock outcrop including limestone and dolostone in a field condition. The spectral characteristics in the target outcrop showed the limestone well coincided with the reference spectra, while the dolostone did not show clear absorption features compared to the reference spectra, indicating a mixture of clay minerals. The spectral indices based on SWIR hyperspectral images were derived for limestone and dolostone using aluminum hydroxide (AlOH), hydroxide (OH), iron hydroxide (FeOH), magnesium hydroxide (MgOH) and carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻) absorption features based on random forest and logistic regression models with an accuracy over 87%. Given that the indices were derived from field data with consideration of commonly occurring geological units, the indices have better applicability for real world cases. The integrative 3D geological model developed by co-registration between hyperspectral map and UAV-based DEM using best matching SIFT descriptor pairs showed the 3D rock formations between limestone and dolostone. Moreover, additional geological information of the outcrop was extracted including thickness, slope, rock classification, strike, and dip.

In this review, we introduce the geology and mineralization of the northern part of the Korean Peninsula based on recently published data in North Korea. Geological characteristics and events are described in order of geological period and the representative mineral deposits are presented according to the geologic period to show the relationship between the geology and mineralization. In particular, we rearrange the stratigraphy of the Precambrian basement and reset the timing of intrusion and mineralization based mainly on the reported zircon U–Pb age data. The Precambrian geotectonic provinces of North Korea contain continental cores and massifs, active continental margins, and rift zones. The Precambrian strata between the eastern North China Craton (NCC) and North Korea are newly correlated considering rearranged stratigraphy in this review. The Precambrian strata of North Korea are characterized by the depletion of the Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic strata compared to the NCC from 1.8 to 1.5 Ga. It may indicate that the northern part of the Korean Peninsula was the passive continental margin environment during this period. The common occurrences of bimodal igneous suites (mafic‐felsic and alkaline‐subalkaline) are also characteristic of North Korea. The bimodal magmatism is well explained by the progressive tectonic evolution from oceanic crust‐continent subduction (2.0–2.2 Ga) and island arc–continent collision (~1.9 Ga) to post collisional extension (1.82–1.87 Ga) in the NCC including North Korea. The Precambrian geological similarities between Northeastern China and North Korea would have resulted in the same or similar mineralization. For example, Algoma type banded iron formations of the Fe deposits of the Anshan–Benxi area in China and Musan Fe deposit in North Korea were formed during the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic. Sedimentary exhalative type Pb–Zn and metasedimentary type magnesite deposits were formed within the Jiao‐Liao‐Ji belt extending from the Liaoning Rift Zone of China (Pb–Zn deposits in the Qingchenzi orefield and magnesite deposits in Dashiqiao magnesite belt) to the Macheollyeong Rift Zone of North Korea (Geomdeok Pb–Zn deposit and Daeheung–Ryongyang magnesite deposits) during Paleoproterozoic. The geotectonic, geological and metallogenic similarities between Northeastern China and North Korea indicate that the Precambrian continental massifs of North Korea might be evolved in accordance with the NCC evolution. This review is expected to be helpful for understanding the geotectonics, geology, and related mineralization of the northern part of Korean Peninsula and correlating with those of the NCC.

Small‐ to medium‐sized serpentinized ultramafic blocks have been found in several locations in South Korea. Ultramafic‐hosted serpentinization, described as a major hydrothermal process that affects the lithospheric mantle, is known to play a key role in mass fluxes enhanced by multiple fluid–rock interactions that ultimately lead to the formation of hydrothermal mineralization and natural hydrogen production. In this study, we attempted to interpret the hydrothermal alteration and associated Ni‐Cr mineralization of the Andong serpentinized ultramafic block (ASUB). Based on the mineralogical and geochemical studies, the serpentinites and serpentinized ultramafic rocks of the ASUB are interpreted to be derived from mantle peridotite. It shows the dunite, lherzolite, and wehrlite compositions which are mainly composed of olivine and pyroxene. Hydrothermal alteration transformed the ultramafic rock into serpentinitic rock, resulting in changes in rock textures from the parent rock (plutonic texture) to moderately altered rock (pseudomorphic porphyritic texture) and strongly altered rock (pseudomorphic fine grained texture) with mineralogical changes. Serpentinization and Ni‐Cr mineralization do not show any relationship. Considering the reported crystallization age of the parental rock (222 Ma) and measured age (214–187 Ma) of the granites intruded into the ASUB, the source magma responsible for the final hydrothermal event including serpentinization is inferred to be the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic granitic pluton. The ASUB might have formed due to the ascent of a mantle plume along the extensional regime (i.e., rift) in the supra‐subduction zone (SSZ), rather than in ophiolite‐related mid‐oceanic ridges or abyssal environments, which are identified in many places. Ni‐Cr mineralization, with the close association of pentlandite, pyrrhotite, and Cr‐spinel, likely resulted from co‐precipitation and dissemination during the crystallization of the parent peridotitic magma derived from the mantle.