Economic and Environmental Geology (자원환경지질)

The Korean Society of Economic and Environmental Geology (대한자원환경지질학회)
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Status of Mineral Resources and Mining Development in North Korea

북한 광물자원 부존 및 개발현황 개요

  • Koh, Sang Mo (Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) ;
  • Lee, Gill Jae (Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) ;
  • Yoon, Edward (Edward & Accountants)
  • Received : 2013.07.02
  • Accepted : 2013.08.12
  • Published : 2013.08.28
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Abstract

The potential mineral resources in North Korea are magnesite, limestone, coal, graphite, iron, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. North Korea is mainly exporting coal and iron to China(70%) and EU countries. Gold ore reserves(or resources) in North Korea are about 2,000 tons and annual production is 2 tons based on metal. Major gold mines are Sooan, Holdong, and Daeyoodong mines and six smelters are operating. Fe ore reserves (or resources) are 4.3 billion tons and annual production is about 5 million tons based on 63.5% Fe. Major iron mines are Moosan, Leewon, Eunryul, Shinwon, and Jaeryong and 7 smelters are operating. Pb and Zn ore reserves(or resources) are Pb 470,000 tons and Zn 15 million tons, and annual productions are about Pb 26,000 tons and Zn 50,000 tons based on metal respectively. Major Pb-Zn mines are Gumdock and Seongcheon mines. Magnesite ore reserves(or resources) are 2.8 billion tons (95% MgO) and annual production is about 150,000 tons. Major magnesite mines are Ryongyang, Daeheung Youth and Ssangryong mines, and 5 magnesium refractory factories are operating. Apatite ore reserves(or resources) are 340 million tons(30% $P_2O_5$) and annual production is about 300,000 tons(crude ore). Major apatite mines are Daedaeri, Dongam and Poongnyen mines. Coal is established as an important strategic fuel mineral resources and is a major energy source in North Korea. Coal ore reserves(or resources) are 18.6 billion tons and annual production is about 20 million tons. The main coal fields is located in southern Pyongan and the Jigdong mine is the biggest in North Korea.

북한의 광물자원 부존량 및 생산 현황을 종합하면, 북한에서 부존규모가 큰 주요 광물종은 마그네사이트, 석회석, 석탄(무연탄), 인상흑연, 철, 금, 은, 연, 아연 등으로 판단된다. 기타 동, 몰리브덴, 중석, 인광석 등이 잠재성이 큰 광물자원으로 평가된다. 북한의 광물자원 수출 대상국은 중국으로서 주요 수출 광물로는 무연탄, 철광석이 75%로서 압도적으로 우세하다. 수출국은 중국 외 EU국가이나, 중국 수출이 70%에 달한다. 북한은 금 매장량 약 2,000톤과 연간 생산량은 약 2 톤(금속기준)이며, 대표적 광산은 수안, 홀동, 대유동광산이며, 6개 금 제련소가 운영 중이다. 철 매장량은 Fe 63.5% 기준으로 약 43억 톤, 연간 생산량은 약 5백만 톤, 주요 철광산은 무산, 리원, 북청, 은율, 신원, 재령광산이며, 7개 제철소 및 제강소가 운영 중이다. 연-아연 매장량은 금속 기준으로 연이 약 4.7백만 톤, 아연이 15백만 톤, 연간 생산량은 금속 기준 연이 약 26,000 톤, 아연이 금속 기준 50,000 톤이다. 주요 연-아연 광산은 검덕, 은파, 성천광산이며, 6개 제련소가 운영 중이다. 마그네사이트 매장량은 MgO 95% 기준으로 약 28억 톤, 최근 연간 생산량이 정광 기준 150,000 톤, 주요 광산은 룡양, 대흥, 쌍룡광산이며, 5개 마그네슘 내화물공장이 가행중이다. 인회석 매장량은 $P_2O_5$ 30% 기준으로 약 3.4억 톤, 최근 연간 생산량은 원광석 기준 약 300,000 톤, 주요 광산은 대대리, 동암, 풍년광산이다. 석탄은 북한에서 중요한 전략 연료광물자원으로 인식되고 있으며, 주 에너지원이다. 석탄 매장량은 186억 톤, 연간 생산량은 2천만 톤이다. 주요 석탄광산은 평남에 집중되고 있으며, 직동광산이 북한에서 가장 큰 석탄광산이다.

Keywords

References

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