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[Jan Erik]

I thought this could be of interest to many of you, though some of you have already read the conference and trip report on Mindat. Or even have been on the trip.

The trip was parted into three sections. First the pre-conference trip, which was a kind of sightseeing and visiting different mineral localities. The second was the conference itself in Midelt and the third was the post-conference field trip.

We started off from Marrakech on the 2th of November, through High Atlas to Ouarzazate. From Ouarzazate to the Bou Azer area. From there we visited Jebel Issimmour a fossil locality, to Mcissi and then Erg Chebbi dunes. From Erg Chebbi to the famous mines of Taouz, then to Jorf and Hameda Quarry, which is known for Fluorite.

Then travelling to Midelt through Goulmima and Rich. When reaching Midelt we checked in to Taddart Hotel where we stayed for the rest of our days. Different speaches where held and we visited the museum/shop nearby. We where visiting the mines of Mibladen, Aouli snd a Sidi Ayed.

A great trip in all ways. Perfectly organized by Tomasz Praszkier and his crue. Thanks Tom!


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[Jan Erik]

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[Jan Erik]

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[Jan Erik]

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[Jordi Fabre]

Nice reportage Jan, I really enjoyed it.

Some feelings (from you or from some other Mindater attending that trip) about the country, the Moroccan people and the deals? Everything is different there, right?

[Jan Erik]

I would say that Morocco was very nice to visit. The people where friendly, nice and helpfull. The food is excellent. If you want beer and wine you can get that in some hotels in the cities. In the countryside you have to drink juice, water and other things. By the way: They had some wonderful orangejuice. The best I have ever tasted.

The roads are ok. In the wintertime it can be heavy rainfalls. So if travelling in the mountains and if you want access to roads leading to the mountains, the roads can be washed away. In the dry season you can almost drive everywhere. Some difficulties driving at night. Lots of people are moving outside, walking along roads. Bad light can make it a little bit dangerous.

Coming to the mineralogical side, there is people wanting to sell minerals everywhere. Most of them have specimens which is heavely damage, and of no interest to the collector. If you ask for better quality, many will show you better things. But to really see great specimens you have to established a relationship with a dealer/dealers. Building up confidens and knowing the way of doing buisness is of cause an advantage.
If you want to by nice things cheap, forget it! The Moroccan dealers are very well known of our prices. Bying several specimens is cheaper than buying one single specimen. But in my opinion many of the Europeen dealers have often better or even cheaper mineral specimens than the Moroccans.
Great specimens are always expencive wherever you buy them. Dealers are very well awere of that. So it is a matter of what you want.

Anyone else who have some thoughts about handling minerals in Morocco?