Assessment of Geotourism Values and Ecological Status of Mines in Kopaonik Mountain (Serbia)

Abstract

Abandoned mines can pose a major environmental hazard. At the beginning of the 21st century, significant steps were taken all around the world in order to protect these historically valuable complexes, and the mining heritage was recognized as a potential for the development of alternative tourism. This exploration covers mines in the Kopaonik Mountain area. Mining on this mountain began in ancient times. It has developed throughout history, and today only one mine is active. Three abandoned (Gvozdac, Suvo Rudište and Raičeva Gora) and one active mine (Belo Brdo-Zaplanina) are the subject of research. The basic aim of the research is twofold. The estimation of geo-tourist values was performed using the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM), and the ecological status assessment WAS performed according to the standard model based on negative and positive values. Based on the applied methods, it was concluded that mines (geosites) have a high level of natural characteristics, and that differences between geosites are evident in tourist values. The reason for this is insufficient tourist affirmation and the insufficient availability of tourist infrastructure. With the ecological status, positive values were observed on the geosites, which also differ from one (Raičeva Gora) to 15 points (Gvozdac). In the end, the results obtained are of great scientific importance, and their direct application is in the development of the Tourism Development Strategy in the Kopaonik area.

Assessment of Geomorphosites for Geotourism in the Northern Part of the “Ruta Escondida” (Quito, Ecuador)

“…Moreover, this methodology has already been employed in the other points assessment of geological interest in Ecuador (e.g., [8,26,[77][78][79][80][81][82]). In general, the work carried out in the study area regarding the inventory, valuation, promotion, protection and use of geosites is similar to the approach adopted in other countries (e.g., [71,[83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90]).…”

Evaluation and Valorization of Geoheritage of the Mount Rogozna Area (Serbia)

“…The west border is formed by the Raška River and its tributaries: the Jošanica, Cvrnjska and Paljevska rivers. Areas with a height of 800 m to 1500 m dominate and it extends in a northwest-southeast direction, with a length of about 20 km (Ivanović et al, 2020). Crni Vrh -Čukar (1504 m), in the southwestern part, is the highest point of Rogozna.…”

“…Her main features are tertiary volcanic rocks, northwest-southeast direction, and polymetallic mineralization such as lead, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, and others (Serafimovski et al, 2022). The oldest geological formations are metamorphic rocks -amphibolites and micaschists, with some marble in the deeper parts and sericite-chlorite slates, quartzite, marble, limestone, and diabase in the higher parts (Borojević Šoštarić et al, 2012;Ivanović et al, 2020). Mélange is more widespread, especially in the central parts (Ivanović et al, 2020).…”

“…The oldest geological formations are metamorphic rocks -amphibolites and micaschists, with some marble in the deeper parts and sericite-chlorite slates, quartzite, marble, limestone, and diabase in the higher parts (Borojević Šoštarić et al, 2012;Ivanović et al, 2020). Mélange is more widespread, especially in the central parts (Ivanović et al, 2020). Mount Rogozna predominantly consists of volcanic rocks -andesite, dacite, rhyolite and their tuffs.…”

The Magura cave in north-western Bulgaria: Exploring visitation and speleotourism potential

“…Geotourism and speleotourism can play a major role in economic revitalization in this region, as these types of tourism place a focus on the rich natural resources stationed in the area. Attracting (geo)tourists encompasses complex groups of tasks, but also a crucial necessity that is an indicator of development and prosperity (Ríos-Reyes et al, 2018;Köroğlu and Kandemir, 2019;Štrba et al, 2020;Vukoičić et al, 2020). Although speleotourism is not sufficiently developed, it is necessary to explore all factors that can reveal ways to make the most of speleotourism potentials in order to achieve socio-economic, sustainable and geoethical values.…”