View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Jan Erik
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 42
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2012 13:44 Post subject: The 2nd International Mindat.Org Conference in Midelt, Morocco 2012 |
|
|
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!
c
Description: |
Then we sat off from Marrakech. |
|
Viewed: |
21523 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21503 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Marie Huizing and Gerhard Brandstetter |
|
Viewed: |
21572 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
The locals where selling minerals everywhere. Lots of fake! |
|
Viewed: |
21511 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Our buses. 9 buses filled up with mineral lovers. |
|
Viewed: |
21510 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21513 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
On our way to Tizi´n Tichka. 2260 m above see level |
|
Viewed: |
21489 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21486 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21522 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Selling carpets in all sizes and colours |
|
Viewed: |
21511 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
And at least: Bou Azer Center. Here we where divided into 4 groups for visiting Aghbar, Oumlil, Agoudal and Ait Ahmane |
|
Viewed: |
21503 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Tom telling us about the mining area and the surrounding mines |
|
Viewed: |
21518 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21517 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Then off to Agoudal, famous for cobaltoan calcites, erythrites and roselite-beta |
|
Viewed: |
21477 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21515 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jan Erik
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 42
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2012 14:20 Post subject: Re: The 2nd International Mindat.Org Conference in Midelt, Morocco 2012 |
|
|
More pictures
Description: |
Oumlil East Quarry, famaous for Karibibite and Scorodite |
|
Viewed: |
21468 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Stayin in the Kasbah Meteorite Hotel. Some of us where staying in Berber tents |
|
Viewed: |
21480 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Roselite found by myself at Ait Ahmane |
|
Viewed: |
21460 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Jolyon Ralph or is it..... |
|
Viewed: |
21477 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Some of the Scandinaviens. Olav Revheim, Hjordis Aga, Susanne E. Stenquis |
|
Viewed: |
21447 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21454 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21485 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Thor Sørli and Roger Lang |
|
Viewed: |
21485 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Taouz, famous for Vanadinite and Cerussite |
|
Viewed: |
21494 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
A small minishow in Yassmina hotel. Nice Cobaltoan Calcite! |
|
Viewed: |
21455 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
David Joyce at the top of the dunes! |
|
Viewed: |
21453 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Peter Lyckberg and his wife Nadezda on camels. Nice people! |
|
Viewed: |
21518 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Visiting a fossil factory in Erfoud |
|
Viewed: |
21458 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21451 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
There where Fluorite and Barytes everywhere. Plenty of hydrothermal veins in the area |
|
Viewed: |
21469 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jan Erik
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 42
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2012 14:53 Post subject: Re: The 2nd International Mindat.Org Conference in Midelt, Morocco 2012 |
|
|
More pictures
Description: |
The opening of the Conference |
|
Viewed: |
21458 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
The geology and workings in the Mibladen area. |
|
Viewed: |
21445 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
People looking for minerals in the hotel shop |
|
Viewed: |
21441 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
A nice Fluorite group. Iam not sure of the locality. |
|
Viewed: |
21503 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21482 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
One of the Moroccan dealers: Mohamed Laaroussi |
|
Viewed: |
21496 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Celestine from the Imilchil area. |
|
Viewed: |
21415 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
We had lunsj in Mibladen. Great tent, food and drinks. |
|
Viewed: |
21433 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Washing hands before eating is importent! |
|
Viewed: |
21424 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Who knows: Maybe future mineral dealers! |
|
Viewed: |
21371 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Lots of tea drinking in Morocco! And some prefer coffee too |
|
Viewed: |
21409 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
The locals had prepered a great party for us in one of the Mibladen mines |
|
Viewed: |
21386 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Tomasz with dealer friends |
|
Viewed: |
21382 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21391 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
The HongKong group enjoys too |
|
Viewed: |
21394 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jan Erik
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 42
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2012 15:28 Post subject: Re: The 2nd International Mindat.Org Conference in Midelt, Morocco 2012 |
|
|
More pictures
Description: |
Myself with one of the miners in the Lidal mine. Looking for Cerussite |
|
Viewed: |
21374 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Miners trying to sell some of their minerals |
|
Viewed: |
21403 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21384 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Many small pits in the ACF workings |
|
Viewed: |
21347 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
10 meters strait down. Then a small and narrow shaft. The seeking for Vanadinites is not everybody. |
|
Viewed: |
21358 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
On our way to Aouli. Photostop! |
|
Viewed: |
21322 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Aouli. The mines where shut down in the 70´ties |
|
Viewed: |
21380 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Then further on to Sidi Ayed. About 20 km from the village of Aouli |
|
Viewed: |
21418 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Sidi Ayed. One of the mine entrences. There where lots of veins and small mines in the area. All over you could fine Azurite and Malachite. Also yellow Fluorite which Sidi Ayed is famous for. |
|
Viewed: |
21371 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21403 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
21354 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
The weather was cold with heavy wind and rain. |
|
Viewed: |
21389 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
The last evening with great food and drinks. |
|
Viewed: |
21397 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
And there it was. The 2nd International Mindat.org conference had come to its end. A really great trip. Thanks to everybody who attends the conference. The next conference will be in Madagascar 2014. Are you coming? |
|
Viewed: |
21409 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4896
Location: Barcelona
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2012 16:25 Post subject: Re: The 2nd International Mindat.Org Conference in Midelt, Morocco 2012 |
|
|
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?
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jan Erik
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 42
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2012 06:45 Post subject: Re: The 2nd International Mindat.Org Conference in Midelt, Morocco 2012 |
|
|
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?
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|