EuroWorkshop on epithermal gold deposits in Turkey

EuroWorkshops are a new form of professional training that EFG proposes since 2017 to European Geologist (EurGeol) title holders and other geoscientists with the aim of intensifying the professional exchange of ideas and the contacts between geologists from all over Europe. EuroWorkshops also provide applied training for students and young professionals, while offering to EurGeols the chance to upgrade their knowledge and experience since the workshops are recognised within EFG’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system.

The second edition of the EuroWorkshop was celebrated in Çesme, Turkey, between the 17th and the 18th of May 2018. It was coorganised by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and the Maden Jeologları Derneği (MJD, the Turkish Association of Economic Geologists) and consisted of a lecture day followed by a fieldtrip on the next day. More than 60 participants from all over Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia attended the EuroWorkshop on the “Epithermal Gold Deposits of the Biga Peninsula”.

In addition, an optional fieldtrip was organised between the 14th and the 16th of May where the participants had the opportunity to visit several epithermal mine sites, core shacks as well as the historic cities of Troy and Pergamon.

On 17th May, the EuroWorkshop started with the opening words of Marko Komac, the EFG External Relations Officer, followed by the welcome speeches of EFG President Vitor Correia and MJD President Ahmet Şentürk. Both presidents welcomed the participants, presented the EuroWorkshop and highlighted the importance of this form of professional training for geoscientists. EFG Vice President Michael Neumann presented the benefits of the European Geologist professional title and the necessity of professional certification for geoscientists who want to work abroad.

Welcome speech by EFG President Vitor Correia

The second session focused on the epithermal gold deposits of Western Anatolia, starting with the presentation of Pr. Dr. Ilkay Kuşçu on magmatism. Nuri Ceyhan talked about the success and failure of exploration activities for epithermal gold deposits. Later, Arda Arcasoy continued with a presentation about the same topic but focusing on the use of remote sensing for exploration. Before the lunch break, Erdin Bozkurt, explained the fault geometry and kinematics of the region.

The third session with the title “Resource and reserve calculation for epithermal gold deposits at Biga Peninsula” was presented by two speakers: İsmail Cihan and Cengiz Demirci.

The last session was an interesting panel discussion focused on the technical, social and environmental challenges of the epithermal gold deposits exploration. It started with the presentation of the Horizon2020 project INFACT by Marko Komac. The Innovative, Non-invasive and Fully Acceptable Exploration Technologies (INFACT) project, in which EFG is involved, unites stakeholders of Europe’s future raw materials security in its consortium and activities. Via effective engagement of civil society, state, research and industry, the project will focus on the obstacles mineral exploration is facing and it will co-develop improved systems and innovative technologies that are more acceptable to society. After this short presentation, the EFG Executive Director Isabel Fernández started the debate introducing the panelists.

Panelists of the panel discussion and participants of the EuroWorkshop

During the second day of the EuroWorkshop participants attended a fieldtrip to the Efemçukuru Gold Mine.

Feedback from participants was very positive and they emphasised the high quality of the second edition of the EuroWorkshop. As Aaron Johnson from the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) stated: “My colleagues in the EFG and the MJD did a spectacular job with the pre-meeting field trip and the EuroWorkshop. I came away with a better understanding of the Epithermal Gold systems of Western Anatolia, and a deep appreciation of the Turkish mining industry. The gold mines on the Biga Peninsula are the mining equivalent of a brand-new Mercedes: state of the art, with the highest safety standards and remarkable efficiency. I was thoroughly impressed with the operations, whether at Ovalcik, Lapseki, the TV Tower Project, or Efemcukuru.”

The 2018 EuroWorkshop was a unique opportunity for participants to get a very good understanding of the epithermal environment of Western Turkey during the lecture day but also to gain practical knowledge during the visits to the gold mines. Geoscientists from all over the world gathered to exchange knowledge with colleagues and learn more about the latest developments in gold mining.

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