MDRU has initiated a three-year, industry-sponsored research project to provide participating companies with new knowledge to more effectively explore in the geologically diverse Western Tethyan region. This project has so far attracted several industry participants who will comprise a consortium that will focus the project's objectives. Throughout the project, these companies will be provided with an improved foundation of knowledge with which to make informed exploration and acquisition decisions. This project would be beneficial for any exploration or mining company working in the region who recognize the competitive advantages of exploring smarter.

Geodynamic-metallogenic map of the Western Tethyan orogenic belt.

Why Western Tethys?
The diversity of mineral exploration opportunities and geological settings in the Tethyan region is vast. Although the metal endowment of this region is well-recognized, the geological controls for much of it are poorly understood. Much of the geological framework for this important region has not been well-established, specifically the magmatic, structural and metallogenic controls on mineralization have not been determined. This uncertainty provides opportunities for those explorers with new geological data and a better understanding of the metallogenic constraints.

We will assess the controls on distribution and siting of large-tonnage porphyry Cu (±Au-Mo) and epithermal Au-Ag deposits, but with consideration for carbonate-replacement, VMS and skarn-related deposit types

Where?
The project will focus on the Turkish Antolides and Pontides by building upon MDRU's past expertise that in the region. Efforts will also be directed towards adjacent northeastern Greece, and the relatively unexplored regions and the better-known Timok and Banat districts of Serbia and Romania. To the east, the southeastern Anatolian thrust belt, adjacent west-central Iran, and potentially portions of the Caucasus will be considered. The final areas of focused study will be determined by the corporate sponsors.

Key Objectives
a) Establishing a geochronological framework of igneous activity and ore deposit formation;
b) Characterisation of igneous suites by lithology and geochemistry, as well as assessing geochemical fertility indicators, such as isotope fingerprinting;
c) Establishing distributions and extensions of metallogenic belts along- and across-strike by interrogating geological data with variations in metal associations;
d) Regional structural analysis through mapping and interpretation of geophysical datasets;
e) Assessing the uplift/erosion/preservation potential of upper crustal ore systems throughout the region by constrained geological reconstructions;
f) Deposit scale characterisation through focused studies on various mineralized systems;
g) Generation of derivative and interpretive geological products with an emphasis on predictive district-scale exploration models.

How?
Initial GIS compilations of existing geological, structural, magmatic, geochronologic, geochemical and metallogenic data will be followed up with fieldwork, mapping and sampling on deposits and districts. Emphasis will be on characterisation of the deposits, districts and exploration targets of interest to the sponsors. The field component will be supplemented by new analytical data that will include >100 age dates and hundreds of geochemical analyses. An assembled project team of experienced industry-focused researchers will collaborate with industry partners, regional universities and geological surveys to ensure the success of this project.

Left to right: Derekoy stockworks, Turkey; Drilling at Valja Strz, Serbia; Kisladag Mine, Turkey.

Deliverables
• Newly compiled GIS databases of geology, mineral resources, geochemistry and geochronology
• Annual technical meetings with presentations, reports and field trips
• Semi-annual project updates, technical reports and interpretable media
• Geochronological and geochemical datasets
• Password-protected project website for global access to deliverables
• Training and professional development opportunities through workshops and short-courses

People

Aleksandar Mišković	Project Manager	MDRU / UBC
Craig Hart	Principal Investigator	MDRU / UBC
Richard (Dick) Tosdal	Senior Researcher	MDRU / UBC Adjunct Professor
Ilkay Kuşcu	Professor of Geological Sciences	Muğla University, Turkey
Farhad Bouzari	Research Associate	MDRU / UBC
Matias Sanchez	Post Doctoral Fellow	MDRU / UBC
Richard Spikings	Lecturer	University of Geneva, Switzerland
Vasilios Melfos	Lecturer	Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Panagiotis Voudouris	Assistant Professor	University of Athens., Greece

 

INDUSTRY SPONSORS

 

PROJECT NEWS

2014

March

A project update will be presented to the WTM sponsors at the PDAC Meeting in Toronto. A short lecture on the regional geodynamics and metallogeny will follow. (read more)

January

The WTMP students present 6 posters at the Cordilleran Roundup meeting in Vancouver. A regional exploration review of the Tethyan Belt is delivered by the project manager A. Miskovic.