Introduction

Turkey is 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, limitation 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.

DEPOSIT VISITS*:     Seçeler/Kartaldağ high-sulfidation Epithermal Au Deposit Disseminated, quartz stockwork with limonite, quartz vein and veinlets and brecciated type, hosted by dacite porhyry Karaayi high sulphidation porphyry Cu-Au deposit   Sahinli* Low Sulfidation Epithermal Au system Deposit A must-see low sulfidation epithermal Au system with various vein textures Kisladag Au porphyry Mine The largest gold mine in Turkey, ~157km², ore reserve of 5.523 Moz Au. Tour of Au ore cyanide heap leach facility    Samli IOCG Mine Intermediate mafic dyke & contains iron‐oxide minerals in addition to minor copper bearing sulphide phases Gordes Ni laterite Mine A world class laboratory was set up on mine site in 2007, to conduct chemical analyses on the samples     Balya Pb-Zn Mine Mined since ancient times & most likely was the location where the lead & silver for the ancient city of Troy was collected. Underground Banaz (Uşak) Geothermal fields Lies along a structural pathway and possibly suggesting a modern gold precipitation along the conduit   Ayazmant Fe-skarn Mine Like Samli but the mineralization is hosted within an andesite porphyry (endoskarn). Reserves ~5.5Mt ore at grade of 0.8%Cu, 65% Iron, recovery of 65% Ulubey Canyon 2nd longest canyon in the world, showing late Miocene clastic sequences consisting of carbonates intercalated with sandstone and lava flows   Ağı Dağı high-sulfidation Epithermal Au Deposit Au mineralization at Ağı Dağı is associated with felsic volcanic rocks of Miocene age and a northeast-trending silica cap   Kula Volcanoes Show spectacular volcanic morphology with steep cones, maars and plato basalt flows         Efemçukuru Epithermal Au New high grade epithermal gold vein underground mine.   * Deposit visits may change slightly based on permitted access SHORT TOURIST VISITS INCLUDED: Trojan Horse from the movie "Troy", Red Basilica, Acropolis of Pergamum, Ancient City of Sardis, Temple of Artemis EXTRA OPTIONAL TOUR VISITS: Before the field course - Jun 17-19, 3 days in Istanbul (Sultanahmet, Hagia Sofia, Roman Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Turkey Mining Summit Conference on June 18/19); and after the course - Jun 28-29, 2 days to see Ephesus, Pamukkale,  Hierapolis and visit a Turkish bath

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 and 2011.  He is 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: Dr. Kuscu, May 2009, speaking in front of the Kula Volcanoes, Turkey)

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, and Fe & Fe-Cu skarn mineralization.
• 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.

Price includes:

• ½ Day - Geology of Western Turkey shortcourse
• All Deposit and Short tourist visits are included
• Small group size of maximum 19 participants
• Geology guidebook with pre-selected relevant papers
• Trip final report
• 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
• 3, 4, or 5-star accommodation as double-occupancy with in-room wireless internet as available; gentleman & ladies will have separate rooms. (Single occupancy is available for an extra fee)
• All transportation in newer, comfortable, & air-conditioned 9 to 22-seater vans
• All meals
• Optional:  Extra optional tour visits include: Before the field course - 3 days in Istanbul (Sultanahmet, Hagia Sofia, Roman Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Turkey Mining Summit Conference on June 18/19); and after the course - 2 days to see Ephesus, Pamukkale,  Hierapolis and visit a Turkish bath

Field course: 8 full days (7 nights) Jun 20 to 27, 2013       $2500 CAD
(Field Course starts in Çanakkale and ends in Izmir. Transportation to Çanakkale and from Izmir is the responsibility of the participant)

Field course plus Optional tour: 13 full days (12 nights) Jun 17 to Jun 30, 2013     $3700 CAD
(Extra Optional Tour starts in Istanbul and ends in Izmir. Transportation to Istanbul and from Izmir is the responsibility of the participant)

Payments accepted by cheque, wire and bank transfers, and all major credit cards

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER:

Please find the course registration form here

Please find the course brochure PDF here

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