The Council for Geoscience expands its leadership corps
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INSIDE: The Council for Geoscience
The Council for Geoscience expands
its leadership corps I 1 expands its leadership corps
Mapping and associated work in
Malawi: the GEMMAP project I 4
Bob Thomas
Journey from a National Diploma to
an MSc degree I 7
Matome Sekiba
Vanadiferous magnetitite pipes
in the Main Zone of the Bushveld
Complex I 7
Flora Maja
Taufeeq Dhansay Sibongiseni Hlatshwayo Willem Meintjes
Geoscience Mapping Economic Geology Engineering and Geohazards
Training in the production of and Geochemistry
geochemical synthesis reports I 9
Doreen van der Walt
International Mine Water
Association Conference in Perm,
Russia I 11
Gloria Dube
PanAfGeo Geoscientific Information
Management Training Workshop I 11
Ntsako Mhlarhi
Fortress Netili Clement Rabaji Magda Roos
Water and Environment Information Knowledge GIS and Scientific Databases
and Technology
The Council for Geoscience wishes metamorphosis. Taufeeq experimented
to congratulate the managers who in art, joining various communities who
have been appointed in permanent adorned the streets of Cape Town with
positions during the first half of 2019. colourful anti-gangsterism and anti-drug
They are Taufeeq Dhansay, Sibongiseni murals. Later, considering the proximity
Hlatshwayo, Willem Meintjes, Fortress to the ocean, surfing seemed like a
Netili, Clement Rabaji and Magda Roos. good pastime. However, after having
fallen off his surfboard once too often,
Taufeeq Dhansay Taufeeq decided to focus really hard on
Taufeeq Dhansay was born on the lower his studies. He completed his secondary
slopes of Devil’s Peak in South Africa’s schooling at South Peninsula High before
year of the Chameleons and grew up continuing his education at the University
in Cape Town’s southern suburbs of of Cape Town. Considerations of a career
Retreat and Steenberg during a time as a biochemist, an engineer, an internet
when the nation was undergoing its own hacker and even an airforce pilot meant
2 I GeoClips
that his family never quite knew what required to enable and assist South Union from 2014 to 2018 where he dealt
he was studying. Eventually, Taufeeq Africa’s sustainable development goals. with a variety of labour issues.
crashed over some geology while
mountain biking down the Steenberg Sibongiseni Hlatshwayo The mission of the Economic Geology
Hills which launched his career in Sibongiseni Musawakhe Hlatshwayo and Geochemistry Unit is to continue
the geosciences. was born in Bergville (Emangwaneni), contributing valuable products such as
KwaZulu-Natal. He completed geochemical maps and mineral potential
In 2008, he completed his Honours his school career at Mqedandaba maps in support of mineral exploration
degree in Geology. His studies focussed High School in 2000. He initially within the minerals and energy theme
on the tectono-metamorphic evolution studied Electrical Engineering at the of the Council for Geoscience. The
along the East African Orogen in Mangosuthu Technikon in 2001. In drilling of promising mineral targets
Mozambique. Taufeeq joined the 2004, Sibo changed track to pursue or anomalies and the assessment of
Limpopo regional office of the Council a degree in Geology. He completed mineralisation is critical in unravelling
for Geoscience as a junior scientist. his undergraduate degree in Applied new mineral deposits and increasing
Projects on various early earth cratonic Geology at the University of the the country’s exploration budget. The
sequences, surrounding accretionary Western Cape in 2006 and enrolled for mid-term vision of the unit is to introduce
orogenic belts and small-scale mining an Honours degree at the University 3D modelling and mineral assessments,
programmes provided an ideal training of Pretoria in 2007. Being a bursary using the existing resources of boreholes
ground. Taufeeq also participated in student, he joined the Council for and other geoscience information to
mapping and exploration projects in Geoscience as a junior scientist in the add value to the products of the Council
Rwanda, Namibia and Tanzania before Geochemistry and Laboratory Unit for Geoscience. Sibo supports capacity
completing his Master’s degree on in 2008. building by encouraging staff to study
energy economics and geothermal towards MSc and PhD qualifications to
energy development. In this time, he From 2008 to 2011, he was involved enable the production of quality products
spent several months as a researcher in geochemical mapping projects in for the benefit of stakeholders and the
at the International Institute for Applied support mainly of mineral exploration public. The ultimate vision of the unit
Systems Analysis, working from the and geological mapping. Sibo enrolled is to produce geoscience products that
plush comfort of one of Maria Theresa’s for his MSc in Exploration Geology will contribute to prefeasibility studies of
Habsburg palaces in Vienna. at Rhodes University in 2012, after exploration projects.
receiving a Julian Baring Scholarship.
In 2015, Taufeeq moved to the Western At the same time, he continued leading Sibo is a passionate supporter of Kaizer
Cape regional office and began his and participating in regional geochemical Chiefs and Manchester United. He
research on brittle tectonics. This mapping projects and target generation enjoys travelling, visiting interesting
research considered sustainably or follow-up projects. The main projects places and meeting new people. Most of
inducing dynamic fracture reactivation included work in the Sabie–Barberton, all, he loves spending time with his family
and system processes within the earth’s Bushveld Complex, Tugela, Hoedspruit– and children.
Critical Zone. In 2017, he completed Phalaborwa and Namaqualand areas.
his PhD degree at Nelson Mandela He was also involved in international Willem Meintjes
University, within the Africa Earth geochemical mapping in Uganda in Willem Meintjes was born on 24 March
Observatory Network, where he worked 2011. Sibo has presented at local and 1987 in the Highveld Ridge area,
in the Jena Structural Geology and international geochemistry conferences where he matriculated from Secunda
Tectonics research group at Friedrich in the USA, New Zealand, China, High School. After matriculating, he
Schiller University in Germany. Canada and the 35th International moved to Potchefstroom to complete
Geological Congress in South Africa. His his undergraduate tertiary studies
In 2017, Taufeeq swapped his field main research interests are the geology, in geology at North West University.
boots for a collared shirt when he geochemistry and mineralisation of the Willem furthered his tertiary education
took up first the position of technical PGE-rich Bushveld Complex. He is a in Geology as a result of his keen
assistant in the Office of the CEO fellow of the Non-Aligned Movement for interest in dolomite stability. His Master’s
and, eventually, of manager of the Minerals Processing and Beneficiation degree focussed on a correlation of the
Geoscience Mapping Unit in January and attended a training programme at structural geological context, dolomite-
2019. This is a particularly critical period Mintek in 2017. Sibo was assigned to related surface instability and regional
for the geosciences in South Africa as the position of acting manager of the dolomite risk management.
the country is transitioning towards Economic Geology and Geochemistry
newer and more sustainable mineral and Unit in 2018 and was subsequently While conducting his tertiary studies,
energy technologies while also pursuing appointed as the manager of the unit in Willem worked as an external financial
socio-economic development. Taufeeq’s January 2019. He is a member of the auditor at KPMG before accepting a
aim will be to lead the Geoscience Geological Society of South Africa, a position as engineering geologist at the
Mapping Unit towards unravelling the Professional Natural Scientist and was geo-environmental and engineering
fundamental geological information an ex officio executive of the Nehawu consulting firm AGES.
Geoclips - Volume 58 - September 2019 GeoClips I 3
During his time in the consulting industry, consulting firm in Polokwane, where planning in mining, and by supporting
Willem oversaw the successful execution he worked briefly, before returning to the coexistence of mining and other
of over 150 geotechnical, geohydrological university to pursue further studies. ecosystem infrastructures.
and geological site investigation
projects, ranging from investigations for Fortress joined the Council for Fortress holds an MSc (Hydrogeology),
infrastructure and urban development to Geoscience in 2004 as a bursar after BSc (Honours — Earth Sciences), a
integrated multidisciplinary programmes receiving a sponsorship to study towards Postgraduate Diploma in Business
on regional groundwater supply and an MSc degree in Hydrogeology. For a Administration and is currently registered
dolomite risk management. Before joining decade (from 2004–2014), he gradually for a PhD in Groundwater Governance.
the Council for Geoscience, Willem developed within the ranks of the He is a member of the International
headed the Geotechnical Business Unit organisation as a hydrogeologist, project Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH)
at AGES where he had the responsibility manager and, later, as the manager of and the Groundwater Division (GWD) of
of managing and executing all facets of the Water Geoscience Unit. Fortress the Geological Society of South Africa.
the geotechnical projects, maintaining was a project leader of the mine water Fortress is an Associate Member of
client relations and ensuring technical management task in the Witwatersrand the Water Institute of Southern Africa
excellence in the business unit. which developed a range of solutions and a Registered Professional Scientist
for the management of mine water with SACNASP. He has a keen interest
Willem joined the Council for Geoscience pollution from the abandoned mines in and is committed to continued
in April 2019 as the manager of the of Gauteng Province. He was also a professional development in decision
Engineering and Geohazards Unit. member of the Team of Experts of the making, environmental sustainability
He is focussed on steadily taking the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) tasked and water security as well as all aspects
engineering and geohazards expertise to advise the Cabinet of South Africa of integrated environmental planning,
of the Council for Geoscience forward on the assessment and reappraisal policy, management and the assessment
towards realising the full potential of of the situation with respect to acid of natural resources.
the organisation. The organisation mine drainage in the Witwatersrand
is mandated by government to act goldfields, from which the IMC Acid Mine Clement Rabaji
as the national advisory authority on Drainage Report 2011 was produced. Clement Rabaji was born on
geohazards. In order to fulfil this function, Fortress left the Council for Geoscience 30 September 1971 in Lichtenburg in the
the Engineering and Geohazards in 2014 for a period of three years to North West Province. He completed his
Unit will build on world-class research pursue his career development and to primary and secondary school education
undertaken by exceptional scientists and tackle some of the most pressing water in Itsoseng and obtained a BSc (Ed)
researchers over more than a century. As security and environmental degradation degree in Mathematics and Chemistry
the business magnate Mr Warren Buffett issues. In this time, Fortress gained at North West University. He briefly
eloquently stated: “Someone is sitting experience in a wide range of sectors worked at Plascon Paints as a laboratory
in the shade today, because someone — consulting, government (Department technician after which he pursued a
planted a tree a long time ago”. of Water and Sanitation) and a non- career in IT.
profit organisation locally and in the
Family and relationships are at the core SADC region (International Water Clement joined Telkom as a software
of Willem’s world view and he is happily Management Institute). tester after completing a programming
married to Nicolene. Their two children, diploma with Crux IT. He moved from
Thomas (3) and Joachim (8 weeks) Fortress rejoined the Council for software testing and joined Medscheme
are the joy of his heart. He enjoys Geoscience in February 2019 as as a Java and Oracle developer.
practicing various hobbies related to manager of the Water and Environment He worked on developing a claims
building things, and enjoys playing golf, Unit. In this position, he provides assessment system and automated the
cycling and participating in competitive leadership to a team of more than submission of claims from the Afrox
team sports. 50 staff who are dedicated and Hospital group to Medscheme’s claims
committed to developing and providing assessment and processing systems.
Fortress Netili a variety of groundwater and related
Fortress Netili was born and raised in environmental services and solutions Clement joined Paracon Consulting
the rural area Dzimauli Ha-Rambuda to water and environmental challenges as a contract developer. As a Paracon
in Mutale, Limpopo Province. His main that threaten the socio-economic contractor, he worked on a number of
interest during his school career at development the country and that projects at various financial institutions
Luheni Primary School and Ratshilumela pose a risk to the sustainability of as a Java and Oracle developer. The
High School were the natural sciences. the ecosystem. His focus is to lead most significant of the projects were
After matriculating, he headed to the the team in contributing towards the the implementation of a new insurance
University of Venda where he completed realisation of vision 2030 (NDP) by business management system at Sage
a four-year degree in the earth sciences. implementing recommendations of Life, the enhancement of an international
After graduation, Fortress started his national ground(water) strategies banking system at Standard Bank and
career as a junior hydrogeologist at a by facilitating economic succession the implementation of an operational
4 I GeoClips
risk and key risk scenario management spending time with his family and provided her with the opportunity to
system at ABSA. his wife, son and daughter. He is an gain valuable experience in database
enthusiastic reader and thanks to management and interactive web-
After working for more than ten years e-books, his library is compact and based mapping. Magda’s vision is
as a developer on transactional portable. Clement also loves cooking to continue building on the CGS
systems, Clement joined SITA as a and experimenting with new recipes. legacy databases in pursuance
Business Intelligence (BI) consultant of an integrated geoscience data
where he completed a project to Magda Roos management solution.
modernise a legacy BI system. He Magda Roos was born in the province
later joined FNB Life as a BI solutions of the rising sun, Mpumalanga, and With over 25 years of solid work
architect, and implemented a modern matriculated from Lydenburg High experience in geoscience data
BI and analytics platform. School in 1980. Her childhood dream management and her meticulous
was to become a teacher, but she approach to data collation and
Before joining the Council for decided to venture into the fascinating presentation, Magda has the
Geoscience in April 2019, Clement was world of cartography. Ms Roos holds a knowledge and skills to assist the
a team leader in the SITA Applications tertiary qualification in Cartography and Council for Geoscience in delivering on
Development Department responsible a Postgraduate Diploma in Geographic its data and information strategies. She
for the e-government applications Information Systems, obtained from the has been pivotal in incorporating critical
platform and the modernisation of University of Pretoria in 2001. control measures into the development
legacy systems. His mission is to of the CGS data and information
implement stable and modern IT Eager to absorb as much knowledge policy which, in future, will provide the
infrastructure and applications to and insight as possible in geoscience foundation for data and information
support business operations and to knowledge management, Magda management in the organisation.
enhance the service offerings of the has been involved in a number of
Council for Geoscience. significant projects. The Seismotectonic Magda is creative and a keen
Map of Africa, among the official reader and enjoys travelling. She
Clement has a keen interest in hiking projects of the Organisation of African prefers to take the roads less
and photography, and normally takes Geological Surveys, and the SADC travelled which mostly lead to truly
the family along on trips. He enjoys Hydrogeological Mapping project have amazing experiences.
Mapping and associated work in Malawi:
the GEMMAP project
The Geological Mapping and Mineral the largest modules. The CGS project 5) C
onstruction of a documentation
Assessment Project (GEMMAP) administration has been efficiently centre at the GSD head office in
is presently undertaking various handled by Gosia Paweska and, since Zomba (BRGM)
geoscience activities for the Geological the start of the current financial year,
Survey Department (GSD) in Malawi, by Chameney Engelbrecht. The CGS 6) S
mall-scale and artisanal mining
including the production of geological Project Leader, Bob Thomas, attends (John Tyschen, subcontractor to the
maps of the whole country. The tender the consortium meetings, held each consortium).
for GEMMAP was awarded in 2016 January in Zomba and, occasionally,
to a consortium led by the BRGM in France or Finland. The components Training of GSD staff in all modules is
(French Geological Survey) with the consist of: seen by the client as one of the most
CGS (Council for Geoscience) and important outcomes of the project and
GTK (Geological Survey of Finland). 1) G
eological mapping (Bob Thomas the Council for Geoscience has played
GEMMAP is a five-year project which — CGS Project Manager, Stephen a significant part in this respect. Indeed,
will run until the end of 2021. The Boger — on contract, Paul Macey — on-the-job training is a continuous
project officially commenced in June from 2019) feature of fieldwork. In addition, many
2016 and, in September 2016, the formal lecture courses and practical
full-time project managers (from the 2) M
ineral resources (Alazar Billay, sessions have been presented and five
BRGM) took up residence in an office in Emmanuel Sakala) GSD geologists are currently enrolled
Zomba, Malawi. for MSc studies on various aspects of
3) Geohazards (BRGM) the project. Some courses are open to
GEMMAP has a modular structure geology students of Chancellor College
comprising six main components. CGS 4) D
atabase design and implementation (University of Zomba) and, in this
science staff are contributing to two of (BRGM) regard, the college provided the venue
Geoclips - Volume 58 - September 2019 GeoClips I 5
a) b) c)
Revised
geological mapping
programme
GEMMAP mapping programme. a) Outline of the forty 100 000-scale sheets to be mapped in Malawi. There are also eleven 1:250 000 scale sheets to be produced;
b) New high-resolution geophysical data (aeromagnetics) for the whole of Malawi; c) Progress of mapping in 2019.
for a project conference in 2018 which In addition, a substantial number the petrographic details entered into a
was attended by over 100 participants, of radiogenic isotope analyses are custom petrographic database. The first
including representatives of the scheduled to elucidate the petrological batches of whole-rock major- and trace-
private sector. evolution of the basement rocks. element analyses, U-Pb zircon dates
and Sm-Nd radiogenic data are under
The Geological Mapping module is by Over 90% of the surface area of Malawi review by consortium experts.
far the largest component of the project is underlain by Precambrian basement
and constitutes the largest contribution rocks and this naturally forms the focus In the inception report, delivered
by the Council for Geoscience. The of the mapping, especially as a mineral early in 2017, a thorough analysis
entire country has to be surveyed and resource evaluation of the country is the of all available geological, satellite,
geological maps produced at a scale main driver of the project. The younger geophysical and geochemical data
of 1:100 000 (40 maps), 1:250 000 rocks (Karoo Supergroup, Cretaceous (published and unpublished) in Malawi
(11 maps) and 1:1 million (1 map). “Dinosaur Beds” and widespread and the surrounding countries led to a
Each map will be accompanied by a Quaternary deposits) are being mapped proposal that the basement of Malawi
sheet explanation along with several by specialists from the BRGM and GTK. can probably be subdivided into nine
geological domain-specific memoirs. separate tectonostratigraphic terranes.
To date, five of the eight x six-week These range from Palaeoproterozoic
The whole country was mapped from geological mapping seasons have been in age (Ubendian) to Mesoproterozoic
the 1950s to the 1980s by the British completed. Each season comprises (several “Grenville-age” terranes) with
Geological Survey, who produced highly four or five teams (composed of a unknown, but probably pervasive,
detailed and geologically accurate maps consortium expert, a GSD geologist reworking during the Neoproterozoic
at the same scales as those mentioned and a driver), with the Council for (Pan-African) East African Orogen.
above. GEMMAP mapping is thus Geoscience supplying two field teams The geological mapping and the new
concentrated on a modern approach each season. Two tranches of 12 geochronological data tend to bear out
enabled by the new geophysics, remote x 1:100 000-scale draft geological these inferences, with the extent of
sensing and comprehensive analytical maps have been submitted to the Pan-African reworking and magmatism
programmes which will provide new client (i.e. 24 out of the 40 map sheets probably exceeding expectations.
high-precision U-Pb zircon dates which comprise the country). The
(minimum 150 samples) and whole-rock sampling and analytical programme is The contribution of the Council for
major- and trace-element geochemical well underway. Several hundred thin Geoscience to the Mineral Resources
analyses (minimum 400 analyses). sections have been described and module has been completed, with Alazar
6 I GeoClips
a) b)
c) d)
a) Two GSD geologists studying an outcrop of Pan-African syenite; b) field training of GSD geologists in the Zomba area; c) the GEMMAP office just outside Zomba,
and d) the rock sample processing bays at the GEMMAP office site and the two rock-saw facilities.
Billay’s review on the economic potential
of the alkaline and associated rocks of
Malawi and Emmanuel Sakala’s course
on ground geophysics, delivered in and
around Zomba.
The project is on track to meet its
targets within the prescribed timeframe
and the Council for Geoscience is
fully committed to playing its part
in the successful submission of all
contractual deliverables.
For more information contact:
Bob Thomas
Geoscience Mapping
+27 (0)21 943 6700
bthomas@geoscience.org.za
Last outcrop of the day, GSD mappers at work in southern Malawi.
Geoclips - Volume 58 - September 2019 GeoClips I 7 Journey from a National Diploma to an MSc degree Fhatuwani Matome Adolph Sekiba For his MSc degree, Matome studied the was born in Nzhelele, Vhulaudzi in application of geophysical techniques Limpopo Province. He completed his in the delineation of aquifer systems primary school education at Mudzinga in the Beaufort West area, Western and Boduma Primary Schools and Karoo, South Africa. The research matriculated in 2000 from Sefoloko aimed to elucidate the deeper aquifer Secondary School. During 2001, systems of the Karoo Basin in view of Matome improved on his school results improving the prediction of potential by studying Physical Science and impacts of georesource exploration Mathematics at Tshwane South College. activities on the deep groundwater He continued his academic journey in systems. Strong emphasis was placed 2002 and completed a National Diploma on the use of airborne and deep-probing in Geology through Tshwane University of magnetotelluric (MT) geophysical Technology. During his studies, Matome techniques to better understand In 2019, Matome Sekiba obtained an MSc degree in joined the Council for Geoscience on geological structures and deep aquifer Geohydrology from the University of the Free State. a twelve month contract as a Technical systems. The results of the geophysical Assistant, during which time he mostly surveys showed that the airborne conducted gravity surveys. In 2008, magnetic method was very effective Rwanda and Malawi. He has been Matome was appointed by the Council for in mapping intrusive magmatic bodies involved in various projects where Geoscience on a six-month experiential and other major geological structures. geophysical techniques have been learning contract during which time he The magnetotelluric results indicated used to delineate groundwater-bearing was exposed to various geophysical the presence of highly resistive layers structures, including the delineation techniques such as survey planning and that appear to be associated with of pathways that may lead to the data processing. Matome was appointed dolerite intrusives. Furthermore, the contamination of groundwater or surface as a Technical Officer at the Council for vertical displacement of a conductive water. Matome has a keen interest in Geoscience in February 2009. In this zone indicated the possible presence of geohydrological studies, particularly as year, he completed a six-month course lineaments. The results of this research these relate to groundwater exploration. in the basics of project management showed that the combined use of through the University of South Africa airborne and deeper probing geophysical In addition to his interest in science, (UNISA). Matome obtained a BTech methods can significantly contribute to Matome likes reading motivational novels degree in Geology through Tshwane the understanding of the deep geological such as “Who Moved My Cheese?” and University of Technology in 2010. He and geohydrological conditions in the “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. Being a family correlated the southeastern limb of Karoo Basin. The approach can be man, he also enjoys spending quality the Bushveld Igneous Complex with further utilised for similar investigations time with his family. Soccer, in particular, other limbs of the complex to determine of other Karoo satellite basins in South is one of favourite pastimes. whether similar physical properties can Africa and neighbouring countries. be delineated. The results of the study were used in fulfilment of his BTech Matome has a vast amount of experience dissertation entitled “Magnetostratigraphy in the application of geophysical For more information contact: of the southeastern limb of the Bushveld techniques in geotechnical, mineral and Matome Sekiba Complex”. Matome obtained a BSc groundwater exploration studies. He has Geophysics and Remote Sensing Honours degree in 2014 and an MSc carried out geophysical investigations +27 (0)12 841 1159 degree in Geohydrology in 2019 from the to solve earth science-related problems msekiba@geoscience.org.za University of the Free State. in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Vanadiferous magnetitite pipes in the Main Zone of the Bushveld Complex The Council for Geoscience, under One of the key mineral resources being iron-rich ultramafic pegmatite (IRUP) and the theme “Geoscience for Minerals investigated is vanadium. The Bushveld as seams of magnetitite. Although the and Energy”, is undertaking research Complex has the world’s largest resource demand for vanadium has traditionally into hydrothermal and magmatic of high-grade primary vanadium, found been reliant on the demand from the mineralisation in the Bushveld Basin. in discordant pipe-like bodies called steel market, recent interest in vanadium
8 I GeoClips
centres on its role as a potential battery
element for energy storage.
Bushveld Minerals has recently
announced the rolling out of vanadium-
based electricity storage devices for
Eskom as part of their flagship 360
MW/1440 MWh battery energy storage
system (BESS). South Africa, the
third-largest producer of vanadium,
is particularly well positioned for the
development of vanadium redox
batteries (VRB) because of the abundant
vanadium resources in the Bushveld
Complex. It is anticipated that the
increase in battery usage for large-scale
energy storage will stimulate the market
for a substantial increase in the demand
for vanadium. The magnetite-bearing
pipes occur erratically from the base of
the Main Zone up to the Upper Zone, Simplified geology map showing the location of sampled magnetitite pipes in the Roossenekal mapped area
transgressing the stratigraphy of the within an approximate 10 km radius around the existing Mapoch Mine.
Rustenburg Layered Suite. The V2O5
content of the magnetitite pipes seems to
correspond approximately with that of the contain high-grade vanadium with a
seams in their vicinity, with the lowermost strong potential to underpin a simple, low-
seams containing the highest V2O5 cost, high-grade direct shipping operation
content (2%). Pipes occurring below (DSO) that can be sold to end users as
the main magnetitite layer may contain feedstock for a downstream processing
higher V2O5 grades. It is for this reason plant or solution to meet growing energy
that only the magnetitite plugs in the Main storage demands.
Zone have been considered for sampling.
Since these results were received,
During fieldwork undertaken in the investigations into the potential for
2018/19 financial year, outcropping other pipes in the eastern limb of the
magnetitite pipes were sampled. In Bushveld Complex from a number of
the field, the magnetitite pipes form current and historical sources have been
enormous quantities of magnetitite rubble undertaken. These include historical
and, in places, small conical hills. The reports, geological maps, high-resolution
dimensions of these pipes are difficult to aeromagnetic data, remote sensing Outcropping vanadium pipe in the Main Zone with
determine in the field because of sand data and Landsat imagery. Additionally, enormous quantities of magnetitite rubble forming
cover, with evidence of minor rubble on further work on the subsurface extent, small conical hills.
the surface in places. length and geometry of these pipes is
required to determine their potential was extracted using the direct leaching
Samples from ten magnetitite pipes contribution to future mineral resource method, which simplifies the processing,
within the Main Zone returned consistent estimations. For example, Tando’s resulting in a higher-purity vanadium
grades of 1.7% V2O5 (whole-rock XRF high-grade SPD vanadium project product. Similarities between Tando’s
analysis) and 1.9% V2O5 (electron in the Nebo mapped area is already SPD project (Nebo map sheet), Mapoch
microprobe analysis of magnetite) estimated to host a resource three Mine (Roossenekal map sheet) and the
respectively and compare favourably times bigger than similar projects, at Kennedy’s Vale Mine mean that these
with the average resource grade of the over 500 million tonnes. The discovery operations could also possibly extract the
Mapoch Mine (estimated to be 1.52% of further magnetite pipes outside of magnetite using direct leaching, which
V2O5 — cf. ASX announcement 22 resource could indicate significant would make exploitation attractive to
March 2018). EMPA results of five potential upside. The advantage of makers of vanadium redox flow batteries.
samples exceeded 2% V2O5 which is magnetite pipes is that they comprise These types of deposits may virtually
higher than many prominent vanadium- almost 100% magnetite, meaning that amount to “dig and ship” operations.
producing mines globally. These results there is no stripping of waste material Given that the areas are relatively small,
further promote the advancement of the required to obtain the mineral-bearing they will be reasonably quick to drill out
project as they suggest that the pipes ore. Ore from the Kennedy’s Vale Mine and if these operations are successful in
Geoclips - Volume 58 - September 2019 GeoClips I 9
finding a number of the magnetite pipes,
yielding a 5 to 10 million tonne resource,
they would provide at least five years’
worth of feed. Selectively mining the
pipes means that these operations could
fast track production.
It is envisioned that the results of this
study will provide critical information
on the geological controls on the
development of vanadium mineralisation
contributing towards the growing demand
for cleaner energy fuels.
For more information contact:
Flora Maja
Mapping Geology
+27 (0)12 841 1163
fmaja@geoscience.org.za
Hand specimen of vanadiferous titanomagnetite from the Roossenekal mapped area.
Training in the production of geochemical
synthesis reports
Geochemical synthesis reports are
the primary deliverable for most
international geochemical mapping
contracts. Since these reports are
such an important requirement, a
training programme was initiated
in the Economic Geology and
Geochemistry Unit as part of a skills
transfer initiative.
The study area selected for the
training programme is in the Regional
Griqualand West region in the geochemical
Northern Cape Province. The area index (Sr) for
consists of 32 1:50 000-scale mapped the Allanridge
areas, representing eight areas, Formation.
with each area covered by four
1:50 000-scale topographical sheets.
• Introduction, geology, economic to ArcGIS as well as the compilation
Both junior and senior staff members geology, geomorphology and of locality, topography, geology and
participated in the training programme. geochemical sample localities economic commodity maps. Phases
The trainees were Nthabiseng • Statistics and statistical interpretation 2 and 3 were completed in October
Mashale, Neithel Mashiane, Thato of the data 2018 and comprised the calculation of
Ntikang, Molebogeng Modiba, Rudzani • Geochemical map compilation, general statistics and the application
Lusunzi, Mzoli Breakfast, Mahlogonolo interpretation and synthesis of statistical methods such as
Kobola, Schalk Strauss, Mehdi Bensid, • C ompilation and editing of the Pearson correlation coefficients
Kobus Elsenbroek and Doreen van synthesis report. and principal component analyses,
der Walt. followed by the compilation of single-
Phase 1 of the training programme element geochemical maps and
The training programme consisted of was completed in July 2018. The synthesis maps. Phase 4 entailed
four phases: phase consisted of an introduction the compilation of eight synthesis
10 I GeoClips
reports. This phase was completed in
March 2019.
These reports provide valuable
background geochemical information in
support of the geology in the study area.
Areas where the geochemistry does not
support the known geology normally
suggest a deviation from the norm and
remapping is suggested for these areas.
An example of geological mapping using
a predetermined geochemical index is
shown for the Allanridge Formation where
the upper classes clearly delineate the
formation in the area. Only three small
anomalies falling outside the known
extent of the Allanridge Formation may
have to be revisit in this case.
The maps also predict possible
exploration target areas that will
eventually lead to exploration follow-
up studies. An example of one such
Study area for anomaly in the area that could serve both
the training purposes (remapping and exploration)
programme. is the large Cr anomaly which is neither
supported by the known geology in the
area, nor by any known Cr mineralisation,
and is therefore suggested to present
a major deviation from the norm. In
such a case, it is the mandate of the
Council for Geoscience to provide a
logical geological and/or mineralogical
explanation before the data is released
into the public domain.
Geochemical synthesis reports are the
primary instrument for the evaluation of
data and the presentation of geological
information. The reports contribute
significantly to geological mapping and
exploration. The training programme
therefore, in addition to having produced
up-to-date geochemical synthesis
reports, also served to equip staff with
skills to face future challenges in the
global market.
For more information contact:
Doreen van der Walt
Economic Geology and
Geochemistry
+27 (0)12 841 1410
doreen@geoscience.org.za
Regional geochemical anomalous distribution map of Cr (ppm).Geoclips - Volume 58 - September 2019 GeoClips I 11
International Mine Water Association Conference in
Perm, Russia
The International Mine Water Association
(IMWA) has been hosting annual
conferences since 1979 and the 2019
IMWA conference took place in Perm,
Russia from 15 to 19 July 2019. The
theme for the conference was Mine
Water: Technological and Ecological
Challenges. The focus areas included
mine water treatment, hydrogeology,
geochemistry, environmental monitoring, Lufuno Ligavha-Mbelengwa, Rudzani Lusunzi and Gloria Dube discussing her MSc work with delegates
mine closure and remediation. Gloria Dube attending the conference dinner in at the conference.
Four delegates from the Council for Perm, Russia.
Geoscience — Viswanath Vadapalli,
Rudzani Lusunzi, Gloria Dube and biggest mineral wastes in South Africa for
Lufuno Ligavha-Mbelengwa — attended solutions many of these have not been mine reclamation: a geotechnical study
the conference. implemented. The conference focussed (Viswanath Vadapalli); application of
on providing insight into solution- artificial intelligence (AI) to predict mine
New solutions and cutting-edge oriented research and implementation, water quality, a case study in South Africa
technologies for mine water treatment, ranging from emerging technologies (Viswanath Vadapalli); geochemical
together with ways to prevent damage to proven solutions that have been and mineralogical characterisation of
to the environment and ecosystem, successfully implemented. precipitates from the Sabie–Pilgrim’s Rest
were presented. Some of the solutions goldfields for the potential of acid mine
will be incorporated into the present It was also beneficial to see how sources drainage (Rudzani Lusunzi); the use of
projects of the Council for Geoscience, of polluted mine water scattered over passive treatment systems to remediate
notably in the passive treatment of large areas are currently being managed AMD from abandoned coal mines,
polluted mine water, ingress control and treated abroad. The only existing eMalahleni, South Africa — column
and pollution prediction tasks. It was management programme of polluted experiments (Gloria Dube); assessment
noted that there are many countries who mine water in South Africa with an of water quality in the Witwatersrand
are already implementing advanced extensive footprint is the active lime Basin using inorganic contaminants
mine water control, treatment and treatment technique which is being (Lufuno Ligavha-Mbelengwa).
management protocols. applied in respect of some abandoned
mines in the Central, East and West
In South Africa, several studies have Rand Basins of the Witwatersrand
been done on contaminated mine goldfields and in the Witbank coalfield For more information contact:
water around gold and coal mines and in eMalahleni. Gloria Dube
many researchers have reported on Water and Environment Unit
poor-quality mine water discharge, The CGS team delivered oral and poster +27 (0)12 841 1395
disposal and contamination. Although presentations based on the following gdube@geoscience.org.za
some researchers have recommended topics: comparative study of the two
PanAfGeo Geoscientific Information Management
Training Workshop
Pan-African Geoscience, “PanAfGeo”, the Organisation of African Geological standards–Data dissemination allowed
is a project which supports the Surveys (OAGS) and is led by the trainees to attain a state-of-the-art
training of geoscientific staff from French Geological Survey (BRGM). tool kit and experience in various
African Geological Surveys through fields including geoscientific mapping,
the development of an innovative The PanAfGeo WP7-B Geoscientific geohazards, geoheritage, geoscientific
training programme. The programme Information Management Training information management and mineral
is a partnership between the Workshop in Spatial data infrastructure– resources assessment. The rationale
European Geological Surveys and Data modelling–Interoperability behind the training was to equip juniorscientists with geoscientific knowledge in
spatial data management, with a special
emphasis on data infrastructure, data
modelling, interoperability standards
and data dissemination. The training
focussed on the use of open-source
software as a tool to manage and
disseminate spatial data. Delegates from
various countries
The workshop took place in Lobatse, showing their
Botswana and was attended by about 20 certificates of
delegates from the geological surveys participation.
of nine African countries. The countries
that were represented were South
Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania,
Nigeria, Cameroon, Liberia, Kenya and
Ethiopia. The Council for Geoscience
is a leading participant in the OAGS
through programmes such as PanAfGeo.
Ntsako Mhlarhi and Siphindiwe Noruka
represented the organisation as trainees
at the workshop.
The delegates of the Council for
Geoscience and the Namibian
Geological Survey gave extensive Ntsako Mhlarhi and Siphindiwe Noruka receiving their participation certificates.
presentations of their spatial data
infrastructure and management systems
while the Geological Survey of Slovenia the OAGS. Case studies from Slovenia procedures and to enhance the
introduced the delegates to their and South Africa were used in most of production process of maps and other
geoportal. The Geological Survey of the exercises to demonstrate the user support services in the organisation.
Tanzania presented a comprehensive friendliness of the software in terms of This includes the improvement of digital
overview of the mineralogical potential of data manipulation, management and data dissemination, public awareness
their greenstone belts. Other geological dissemination. Open-source and custom and internal data sharing.
surveys provided contributions of their software for database management,
data infrastructure for comparison and web services, data dissemination and
knowledge sharing to find better ways of metadata cataloguing was utilised
implementing and managing their data. throughout the training. For more information contact:
Ntsako Mhlarhi
The workshop lasted ten days and The CGS delegates benefitted GIS and Scientific Databases
was facilitated by trainers from the immensely from this training and +27 (0)12 841 1085
Slovenian Geological Survey, European are currently investigating ways to nmhlarhi@geoscience.org.za
institutes and co-trainers from the implement some of the skills acquired
Botswana Geoscience Institute and in the workshop to improve working
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