20th Freiberg Short Course in Economic Geology
Mineral Systems and Metals Endowment of the Variscan Orogeny
A large portion of economically important ore deposits in Central and Western Europe is hosted by Neoproterozoic to Palaeozoic rock series that can be assigned to the Variscan Orogeny. For centuries, the exploitation of these ore deposits has contributed significantly to economic development - without them, the Industrial Revolution in Europe would not have been possible. With the current increase in global demand especially for so-called critical raw materials many of the historic mining districts of the Variscan Orogen do once again attract the interest of both the exploration industry and academia. Whilst results of recent research confirm many common traits shared between the different mining districts, they also reveal that every region has its unique geological and tectonic history, resulting in (subtle) variations in the nature and metal endowment of mineral systems. The 20th Freiberg Short Course in Economic Geology will pay tribute to the ore deposits of the Variscan orogeny. Invited speakers will discuss current knowledge about the Variscan mineral systems of the Iberian Peninsular, the Massif Central and Cornwall, with a particular focus on our own back yard, the Erzgebirge / Krušné hory region.
The short course will take place from 1 - 4 of December 2025, with two post-workshop excursions on 5th of December to the historic Ag-Pb-Zn Freiberg District and to the Li-Sn-W deposits of the Altenberg District.
- When: 1 - 5 December 2025
- Where: Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Lecture Hall Europium
- Co organisator: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany
- Registration: The registration form can be found here. Registration deadline is 31.10.2025.
- First come first serve!
- Further information about the participant fees: see below and in the registration form
- Lecturers:
Iñigo Borrajo, IGEO; CSIC, Spain
Mathias Burisch, Colorado School of Mines, US
Eimear Deady, BGS, UK
Matthieu Harlaux, BRGM, France
Uwe Kroner, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany
Jens Gutzmer, Marie Guilcher, Jan Cerny, HIF, Germany
- Target group: The course is designed for Bachelor and Master students / PhD students / Postdocs, Senior Scientist and Industry Representatives preferable with knowledge in geology and/or mineralogy, but also represenatives of other disciplines interested in the topic.
- List of hotels: download here.
Draft Agenda
|
Monday, Dec 1st |
|
| Late Afternoon/Evening | Arrival, Registration and Ice Breaker at HIF |
|
Tuesday, Dec 2nd |
|
| Morning |
Registration Introduction to the Variscan Orogen – architecture, geotectonic evolution - Uwe Kroner incl coffee break |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch break |
| Afternoon |
Variscan Mineral Systems on the Iberian Peninsula - Iñigo Borrajo incl coffee break |
|
Discussion |
|
|
Wednesday, Dec 3rd |
|
| Morning |
Variscan Mineral Systems in France: focus on the French Massif Central: Part 1: Peri-granitic hydrothermal W-Sn deposits Part 2: Peraluminous rare metal (Li-Ta-Sn-Cs-F) granites and pegmatites Matthieu Harlaux |
| coffee break | |
| Mineral Systems in Cornwall Part 1 - Eimear Deady | |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch break |
| Afternoon |
Mineral Systems in Cornwall Part 2 - Eimear Deady |
| Optional: Visit Terra Mineralia | |
|
Thursday, Dec 4th |
|
| Morning |
An introduction to the diversity of mineral systems related to the Variscan basement in Germany and in the Erzgebirge/Krušné hory Jens Gutzmer, Mathias Burisch |
|
Geological Structures Controlling Mineral Deposits in the Erzgebirge/Krušné hory - Jan Cerny |
|
| coffee break | |
| Felsic magmatism and related ore deposits in the Late Variscan in the Erzgebirge/Krusné hory - Mathias Burisch | |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch break |
| Afternoon | Skarns of the Erzgebirge/Krusné hory - Mathias Burisch |
|
Greisen and epithermal systems of the Erzgebirge/Krušné hory - Mathias Burisch |
|
| coffee break | |
| Mesozoic and Cenozoic ore deposits - Marie Guilcher | |
| Podium Discussion | |
|
Friday, Dec 5th Optional Excursions |
|
| Option 1 |
Epithermal vein-style mineralisation of the Freiberg District External participants are prioritized |
| Option 2 |
Greisen deposits of the Altenberg-Teplice Caldera, Eastern Erzgebirge External participants are prioritized |
Fees
The basic fee for the course:
110 € for students / 320 € for academia (PhD students, postdocs, senior scientists) / 500 € for industry participants
These fees cover the course material, icebreaker party, catering for coffee breaks and lunchs.
Optional Excursions:
Day trip on Friday Dec 5th:
Freiberg District: 80 € per person (participants out of Freiberg prioritized)
or
Altenberg-Teplice Caldera: 100 € per person (participants out of Freiberg prioritized)
Excursion fees cover transport to the sites from and to HIF, lunch or lunch box (planing in progress) and entrance fees (if applies) on excursion day
The optional guided tour for the Museum 'Terra Mineralia' (planned for Dec 3rd) 15 € per person.
Sponsoring:
DMG student members travelling from other universities can apply for 100€ travel support at the event.
SGA student members travelling from other universities, in particular from abroad, SGA provides a limited number of grants for the basic course fee. Application is within the registration sheet to the HIF organizer.
Contact: contacthif@hzdr.de
