28/07/2026
The UPatras S.E.G. Student Chapter, joined by members of the NKUA S.E.G. Student Chapter, concluded the field trip "Geo-exploration in Balkans: CRM Potential of Bulgaria", held during the period 19–25 July 2026, by visiting several exploration and mining companies across the country.
At the beginning of the trip, on Monday 20/7, we visited the Elatsite porphyry copper-gold mine, located in the Elatsite-Chelopech ore field in the northern part of the Panagyurishte Ore District. We were able to observe the active exploration site at Ribaritsa and collect samples of chalcopyrite, pyrite, rhodochrosite, and malachite.
On Day 2, Tuesday 21/7, we visited the facilities of Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (DPM), which is mainly active in the exploration of the Chelopech Cu-Au underground mine. It is located adjacent to the village of Chelopech, in the northern part of the Panagyurishte metallogenic district. After being provided with the obligatory safety equipment and receiving the necessary instructions, we were driven to the underground mine, where we were able to observe the high-sulfidation Cu-Au epithermal mineralisation in the complex subaqueous volcanic environment. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to examine core samples from various drilling sites within the mine.
On Day 3, Wednesday 22/7, the team travelled to the Maritsa-East lignite mine area, located in Stara Zagora Province in southern Bulgaria. The team was provided with the necessary equipment and was driven to the open-pit lignite mine, where we observed the operation of bucket-wheel excavators.
On the following day, Thursday 23/7, the team visited the IMERYS Bentonite mine in Kardzhali Province, Eastern Rhodopes, southern Bulgaria. There, we observed the clinoptilolite-rich zeolite formations, and visited the bentonite open pit.
On our final day in Bulgaria, Friday 24/7, we visited the Madan Pb-Zn ore deposit in the Madan district, southern Bulgaria. The team had the opportunity to observe the stockpiled ROM, which contained abundant galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite ore mineralisation.
The UPatras S.E.G. Student Chapter would like to thank Professors Dr. Alexander Zdravkov and Dr. Stanislav Stoykov of the University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, as well as our Academic Advisor Dr. Stavros Kalaitzidis and Dr. Kimon Christanis , and the Academic Advisor of NKUA S.E.G. Student Chapter Dr. Stephanos Kilias, who accompanied us throughout our stay in Bulgaria. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the personnel of Ellatzite-Med AD, Dundee Precious Metals Chelopech EAD, Bulgaria Energy Holding, IMERYS Minerals Bulgaria AD, Gorubso-Madan JSC, and Varba-Batantsi JSC Pb-Zn for their warm hospitality.
Additionally, special thanks are extended to the Special Research Account Office of the University of Patras, the Society of Economic Geologists, as well as the companies Ελληνικός Χρυσός / Hellas Gold, METLEN, Imerys Industrial Minerals Greece S.A., Lithos Geological Services, Zisimopoulos S.A., Geoenviro, Geotest Consulting Engineers S.A., Vactro Scientific, and Kavvadias Tours, for their vital contribution to the successful completion of this field workshop, since without their support, this field workshop would not have been possible.
