Turkey - Western Anatolia

Please also see the tour brochure PDF for many more details on the tour.

Economic Geology Deposits/Courses:  

1. 1/2 day Geology of Western Turkey shortcourse
2. Halilaga Cu-Au porphyry - The only site in Turkey where porphyry  (0.3 to 0.5 g/t Au,  0.3 to 0.5 % Cu), skarn, & high sulfidation epithermal systems are seen together as possibly part of one mineralizing event
3. Sahinli* Low Sulfidation epithermal Au system - A must-see low sulfidation epithermal system with various vein textures
4. Balya Pb-Zn - Mined since ancient times & most likely was the location where the lead & silver for the ancient city of Troy was collected
5. Samli IOCG - Intermediate mafic dyke & contains iron‐oxide minerals in addition to minor copper bearing sulphide phases
6. Ayazmant Fe-skarn - Like Samli but the mineralization is hosted within an andesite porphyry (endoskarn)
7. Ovacik Epithermal - Gold‐bearing epithermal quartz brecciated veins hosted by subaerial andesite porphyries
8. Kisladag Au porphyry - The largest gold mine in Turkey
9. Kirka Borate - State‐owned Kirka mine is the largest borate deposit in the world. 

Geology Sites/Activities:

1. Kula Volcanoes - walking tour
2. Muğla University tour - A tour of the lab facilities and the campus.
3. Pamukkale - “Cotton castle” in Turkish. Terraces of calcium carbonate.

Historical/Sight-Seeing:  Istanbul, Çanakkale Trojan Horse, Acropolis of Pergamum, Sardes, Ephesus, Sailboat Day tour, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Turkish Hamam experience and Hierapolis

* not confirmed and may be replaced with Koru Pb-Zn deposit

Geological Tour Guide:   Dr. Ilkay Kuscu, Geology Professor, Muğla University, Muğla, TURKEY Dr. Kuscu is a well-renowned Turkish economic geologist.  He studied at the Department of Geological Engineering at Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey); completed a research associateship with the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU) at The University of British Columbia in 2005-2007; and he also guided this same tour in 2009.  He is now a Geology Professor at Muğla University, where all subjects are taught in English.  Dr. Kuscu is very well spoken, knowledgeable, and approachable.  We are lucky to have him as a guide.   (Photo courtesy of K. Smith - Dr. Kuscu, May 2009, speaking in front of the Kula Volcanoes, Turkey)

Turkey is the host of several major metallogenic zones due to the development of a Tethyan magmatic arc along the length of the country. Although Turkey is rich in mineral resources, mining activity only accounts for ~1.5% of the GDP. This is largely due to control over the mining industry by the government; however in recent years, limitations on exploration by foreign companies have been relaxed, which makes Turkey an increasingly attractive area for mineral exploration & development. This trip will provide an opportunity to see several deposits typical of the Tethyan arcs in an area that has only recently become recognized internationally as a major metallogenic belt.

Highlights: 

GEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW:

The Biga Peninsula in western Turkey is known to be one of the most prospective belts for porphyry & epithermal style Cu-Au mineralization along this mountain belt. Mineralization is related to extensional tectonics & magmatism along the Neo-Tethyan metallogenic belt in western Anatolia, Turkey: a major zone of magmatic arc-related mineralization that extends across central & southeast Europe, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, through the Himalayan region into Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia & Papua New Guinea. It contains a wealth of large ore deposits.

Participants will gain:

• Knowledge of the regional geology, tectonics, magmatism, & metallogenic belts in the western Anatolia region of Turkey.
• An understanding of the geological framework & genesis of magmatic arc-related deposits such as Cu-Au porphyry systems, low-sulfidation epithermal Au systems, Fe & Fe-Cu skarn mineralization, & the world’s richest borate district.
• A review and an overlook of various exploration techniques and tools for finding mineralization in western Anatolia, including geochemical analysis, ground geophysical surveys, & drilling operations.
• An understanding of mineralization in oxide, leached & supergene enrichment zones, open pit mining, & heap leach gold extraction processes.

Fee includes:

• Small group size of maximum 19 participants
• Geology guidebook with pre-selected relevant papers
• Trip final report
• DVD of trip photos, including detailed rock photos
• Dr. Ilkay Kuscu's geological guidance for the duration of the trip
• Ms. Karie Smith’s assistance for the duration of the trip
• ½ Day - Geology of Western Turkey shortcourse
• 3, 4, or 5-star accommodation as double-occupancy with in-room wireless internet as available; gentleman & ladies will have separate rooms
• All transportation in newer, comfortable, & air-conditioned 9 or 12-seater vans
• All breakfasts plus 3 Group dinners
• Ferry tour on the Bosphorous plus Entrance fees to Acropolis of Pergamum, Pamukkale & Ephesus
• 1-day private sailing boat excursion in Bodrum;   plus 1 Turkish Hamam (bath) experience….

Three price options:                             LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS MAY 9, 2011

1. Flight (roundtrip Vancouver to Istanbul) included option (17 days with travel, Jun 9 - 25): $5000 CAD ($3000 deposit required, $2000 bal due by Apr 15)

2. Flight NOT included option (to/from Istanbul on your own, 14.25 days, Day 2 to Day 16, Jun 10 - 24): $3800 CAD ($1800 deposit required, $2000 bal due by Apr 15)

3. Economic Deposit tour days only (8 days, Day 4 to Day 11, Jun ): $3000 CAD ($1000 deposit required, $2000 bal due by Apr 15)

Please also see the tour brochure PDF for more details on the tour.

Register here by filling in the attached registration form, and sending it back by email, fax or by mail.

Please contact Karie Smith at karie@klsgeotours.com for more information