Excursions
Excursion A: Arzberg Historic Pb-Zn mine and cheese tasting
Saturday 20 September 2025, one day excursion
Guides: Leopold Weber, Annika Geringer, Heinz Mali
Costs: € 35.-; includes entrance fees, transport and cheese tasting (drinks are not included).
Minimum/maximum number of participants:
The one-day excursion will focus on SEDEX type Pb-Zn-(Ag) deposits in the Graz Paleozoic with a visit to the historic mine at Arzberg. The visit to the Schaustollen of Almenland Stollenkäse Gmbh with cheese tasting is included.
The Arzberg deposit is the type locality of the "lead-zinc barite district of the Graz Paleozoic - Schönberg Formation (Arzberg)”. These stratiform SEDEX-type deposits formed in the Upper Silurian to Lower Devonian due to rifting.
In the Arzberg mine a lower sulfide- and an upper sulfate-dominated ore horizon are developed. The thickness of these horizons varies in the decimeter to meter range. The ore deposits are linked to a channel structure several tens of meters wide and several hundred meters long. The channel-axis is W-E orientated. Both horizons are cut by several N-S striking and eastward trending faults. More results of an ongoing scientific re-investigation in the MRI project scheme will be presented.
Mining activities began in the early Middle Ages, probably supplying the Graz Mint. After several interruptions, mining reached its peak in the 18th century but came to an end in the 1920s. Exploration work in this area in the 1970s yielded only few encouraging results.
The excursion will include a visit to the Arzberg mine, where the sulfide and sulfate ore horizons as well as the tectonic and metamorphic overprint can be observed. Selected stops in the surrounding area will illustrate the stratigraphy, and a tasting of the “Arzberger Stollenkäse” cheese will complete the excursion with a culinary experience.
Excursion B: Mineral collection R. Pomberger, Eisenerz
Sunday 21 September 2025, half-day excursion
Guides: Roland Pomberger
Costs: € 10.-; includes transport costs
Max. number of participants: 7 (!); first come first serve!
Professor Roland Pomberger hosts one of the best private mineral collections in Styria located on his premises in Eisenerz. He agreed to open his collection – it is normally not open to the public - to a small group of participants of MinPet 2025. [to be updated]
Leoben guided city tour
Sunday 21 September 2025, ca. 1.5-2 hours tour in the afternoon
Guide: Sophie Zeiler-Mahrous
Costs: € 15.-
Min. number of participants: 10 (!)
A sightseeing tour through the city center of Leoben. The tour guide gives exciting insights into the architecture and history of the city of Leoben. Special features of the “Montanstadt” Leoben, with its architectural witnesses are explained in their historic context. The historic growth of the down-town campus buildings of Montanuniversität Leoben are also highlighted.
Your guide, the renowned and popular Austria Guide Sophie Zeiler-Mahrous, is known for her expertise in culture, history and cuisine throughout Austria. She is looking forward to welcoming you to this special tour.