Gold deposits estimated to be worth around KRW 30 billion were recently discovered on Gasado Island (가사도), an island off the coast of Jindo-gun County in Jeollanam-do Province.

The discovery was made possible thanks to a spectral induced polarization (SIP) analyzer developed by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). It can locate gold, silver, copper and other metal ore deposits up to depths of 300 meters using alternating electrical currents.

Conventional polarization techniques typically rely on high tension currents that flow in one direction to determine subsurface structures and to reveal ore deposits. However, it has always been difficult to obtain quantitative and qualitative data using these methods because of Korea's unique geological structure, as the Korean Peninsula features high rates of disruptive, electromagnetic static.

This new SIP analysis technology is more elaborate than conventional techniques. It uses an alternating current with multiple frequencies to reach a wider area of subsurface structures. The flow of electric current gets delayed when passing through minerals like gold or silver, and the analysis of such patterns can reveal underground ore deposits. While solving the problem of electromagnetic static, more data can be collected using this new technology.





On Aug. 11, researchers put the SIP analysis technology to the test at Moisan, the suspected site of gold deposits in Haenam, Jeollanam-do Province. After verifying the viability of the new technique, the team relocated to Gasado Island, a small island off the coast of Jindo-gun County in Jeollanam-do Province, a region whose geology showed promise of potential gold ore. The researchers struck gold, literally, when their machines located stretches of gold bearing veins 10 to 60 meters underground on the southern stretches of Gasado Island.

The estimated amount of gold ore that can be excavated from Gasado Island stands at around 211,238 tons, which is about 627.5 kilograms of pure gold. At current prices, this is worth over KRW 30 billion.





Kim Kyu Han, president of the KIGAM said, "The new SIP analysis technology is a huge accomplishment for our national research team. The technology has effectively upgraded a technique used in the mining industry for locating mineral ores."

By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: KIGAM
hlee10@korea.kr