Earth Sciences Conferences

Conclude in Bulgaria

and Romania.

SE Europe Geoscience Foundation (SEEGF) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of Earth Sciences conferences at the Anel Hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria and at theHilton Hotel in Bucharest, Romania.

The SE Europe Geoscience Foundation is a not-for-profit organization which seeks to enhance Earth and Environmental science education in SE Europe.The Foundation has held six one and two day conferences in 2006 and earlier this year awarded research grants to students in 5 countries in the region.Academics and students in relevant studies are admitted to these events without charge.

The Sofia and Bucharest conferences were cored by three presentations by the SEG 2006 Visiting Lecturer, Mr. Doug Kirwin, complimented by company and graduate student presentations.

Mr. Douglas Kirwin the following presentations:

• Unidirectional Solidification Textures, Miarolitic Cavities and Orbicles: Field  Evidence for the Magmatic to Hydrothermal Transition in Intrusion-Related Mineral Deposits;
• Hydrothermal Breccias: Textures, Processes and Mineralization;
• The Giant Oyu Tolgoi Porphyry Copper Deposit: Discovery History and   Implications for Future Exploration in the Gobi

In Bulgaria, 45 specialists from Government, institutions and companies attended from Turkey, United Kingdom, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Bulgaria.The conference was moderated by SEEGF Chairman, Mr. John Menzies who introduced Mr. Doug Kirwin.Company presentation were made by Rio Tinto, EurOmax and Dundee Precious Metals. Mr. Nikolai Burcham, a board member of the ICMM in Kosovo presented an overview of the minerals potential in Kosovo while Ms. Nalin Shah of Asia Gold discussed the discovery of a new copper deposit in NE Asia. University of Mining and Geology Doctorate student Ms. Nikoleta Tzankova, the recipient of an SEEGF 2006 research grant, presented the preliminary results of her study of garnets in SE Bulgaria.

Mr. Gary O’Connor moderated the conference in Bucharest and introduced Mr. Douglas Kirwin.Twenty seven specialists representing the Romanian Geological Institute, the University of Bucharest and companies ( Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, Eurasian Minerals Inc, Valhalla Resources Ltd, Geoexpert SRL) as well as graduate students, beneficiaries of SEEGF 2006 research grants, attended the event.

Mr. Duncan Large of Eurasian Minerals Inc provided an overview of their exploration activity in central and eastern Europe and Mr. Hadrian Bobar discussed the environmental aspects of the Rosia Montana gold project.

The PhD applicants, Nutu Groza and Luiza Elena Iatan presented their studies on the Rosia Montana and the Rosia Polieni gold deposits.

A CDROM of presentations will be published and available through the SEEGF website in December, 2006.

Douglas Kirwin, a professional geologist, has spent more than 35 years in the mineral exploration industry, much of which has been in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Kirwin has directed Ivanhoe Mines' exploration activities since joining the company in September, 1995. He was formerly Managing Director, International Geological Services Pty. Ltd. and for several years held senior positions with Anglo American and Amax. He has evaluated mineral deposits throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe, and has managed numerous projects in Southeast Asia and Australia. Mr. Kirwin holds a Master of Science Degree in mineral exploration from James Cook University in Australia. As a member of the joint discovery team of the Hugo Dummett Deposit at Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia, Doug was a co-recipient (with Charles Forster and Garamjav) of the PDAC inaugural Thayer Lindsley medal awarded for the most significant international mineral discovery in 2004. Doug is the industry advisor for the Society of Applied Geology and is currently the Society of Economic Geologists International Exchange Lecturer for 2006.