Overview seminar in Sofia, Bulgaria.   This seminar provided an overview of the tectonic, geologic and metallogenic framework of the Tethyan belt in the Balkans and western Asia.   It was organised by the South-east European Geoscience Foundation (SEEGF), in conjunction with Porter GeoConsultancy (PGC), as the "Balkans Exploration Conference" on Tuesday 23 September and was attended by geologists from throughout Bulgaria and neighbouring countries, allowing the tour participants the opportunity to network.   The chairman of the SEEGF, John Menzies of Euromax Resources (centre), who has extensive exploration experience in the region, delivered one of the keynote presentations on the tectonic and geologic framework of the region, based on the work of international expert Dr Stefan Schmid of Basel University (who was unable to attend himself due to illness) and his colleagues.   The second keynote address was by Prof. Nigel Cook of Oslo University who has been involved in a long term project researching the metallogeny and copper-gold mineralisation of the western Tethyan belt.   His attendance was sponsored by PGC.   Other speakers addressed particular districts within the region, while three of the Tethyan 2008 tour participants provided presentations on gold and copper deposits elsewhere within the world for the benefit of the local attendees.
Photographs by Mike Porter.