Council for Geoscience

Siphelele Buthelezi presented at the Limpopo Investment Conference today at the Ranch Resort in Polokwane under the topic “Maximising Limpopo's Unique Global Advantage: Unveiling the Potential of Mining Exploration in Limpopo”. In her presentation, Ms Buthelezi touched on the Council for Geoscience’s available geoscientific datasets that are key to unlocking the mineral exploration potential in the province. She highlighted that with Limpopo Province’s location, being in close proximity to the Maputo port, it is well positioned for the exploration, development and seamless transportation of mineral resources due to possible cost savings on logistics & freight. She further elaborated on the usefulness of the data and information that is hosted by the CGS Data Portal. It is beneficial to potential explorers. To date, the portal has 3706 registered users with 17000 various downloaded data. She concluded her talk by inviting the participants to engage with the CGS and explore possible opportunities to collaborate and de-risk exploration as well as use the available geoscience data to catalyze mining activities in the Limpopo province and nationally.

The Council for Geoscience is participating in the Africa Energy Week that’s currently taking place in Cape Town at the CTICC. Ngqondi Songezo Nxokwana, Project Manager for the CCUS pilot project, gave a presentation that focused on the progress made in the first phase as well as the findings of the geological characterisation work that has been concluded. The conference continues until Friday, 8 November 2024. #AEW2024

The Council for Geoscience is participating in the annual African Exploration Showcase, hosted by the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) from 6-7 November 2024. The showcase brought together field experts and service providers to provide insight on the advancements made in exploration methodologies and interesting mining projects which span not only across the continent, but covering a wide array of commodities. Mr. Abdul Kenan; a Specialist Scientist in Minerals and Energy gave a presentation titled ’The role of the CGS in Exploration’. The presentation focussed on the vast geological data offering collated by the CGS. This ranges from geological maps, boreholes, drill hole core and regional and high resolution geophysical data (such as gravity and magnetic data) covering most metallogenic provinces. The presentation further showcased the capabilities of the hyper-spectral scanner which provides spectral signatures of minerals, alterations and potentially vectoring into mineralisation zones. Majority of data is available through the Geoscience Data Management portal and stakeholders are encouraged to visit the National Core Library for further information.

Notice to all stakeholders. Kindly take note of the Palaeontology Collections closure.

The Council for Geoscience was invited to attend the 2nd SANEDI Annual Energy Conference, that took place at the Eskom Academy of Learning, from 23-24 October 2024. This years’ theme was “A balanced Energy Transition: For Energy Security, Affordability and Inclusiveness”. Ms Zama Sibewu, delivered a presentation titled “Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage: South African Context” in a breakaway session under the theme, “Carbon Capture Utilisation”. The presentation touched on the work that the CGS has undertaken at the pilot plant in Leandra, and further elaborated on the next steps that are crucial for successful implementation of the pilot plant.

The Council for Geoscience participated in the Ray Nkonyeni Investment Stakeholders Conference that was held at Estuary Hotel & Spa, Port Edward from 23-24 October 2024. Mr Mbuyiseni Ngcobo served as a panelist under the theme Wholesale, Retail & Manufacturing; Innovation, Science and Technology: Leveraging for economic advancement and growth facilated by Dr Thandeka Ellenson. Mr Ngcobo shared the mandate of the CGS and the fundamental research undertaken in the Ray Nkonyeni region such as mapping and Groundwater assessment particularly in kwaNzimakwe. This conference brought together all three spheres of government, industry, traditional leaders and public with the aim of driving sustainable growth through strategic investment in Ray Nkonyeni.

The Council for Geoscience took part in the 57th EuroGeoSurveys Directors' Workshop in Brussels, Belgium under the theme ‘Geoscience partnerships for a sustainable future’. Willem Meintjes 🇿🇦 gave a presentation on the roles of international geoscience diplomacy in sustainable futures and served as a panellist on capacity building and expert networks. EuroGeoSurveys Organisation of African Geological Surveys - OAGS #geoscience

The Council for Geoscience representatives Sinovuyo Myendeki Dr Thifhelimbilu Faith Mulabisana are exhibiting at the booth to share information of our mandate & services. The team also participated in discussions sharing new developments in seismic monitoring and assessment technologies as they relate to mining activities. #2024MHSCSummit

The Council for Geoscience is exhibiting at the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) Tripartite Summit taking place at the Gallagher Convention Center, Johannesburg from 16-18 October. The summit aims to gather all stakeholders in the mining sector to engage and advance solutions to help the industry improve on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) performance. #MHSCSummit

The Council for Geoscience participated at the Joburg Indaba that took place at the Inanda Club in Sandton, Johannesburg from 2-3 October 2024. The CEO, Mr Mosa Mabuza was part of a panel discussion together with other industry leaders. The CEO served in a panel discussion under the theme: Critical minerals – what do they mean in the South African context? chaired by Andrew Rossouw. When asked about what the definition of critical minerals is, he responded by saying that the subject of defining critical minerals is at an advance stage in South Africa. What makes critical minerals critical, is their ability to catalyse industries to create & secure jobs, enable food security, energy provision, defence, health and communication amongst others. He further argued that mineral elements that contribute to the above thematic areas will fall within the basket of critical minerals. He made an example of climate change and net zero, where the quantum of minerals that are needed to achieve net zero are listed and quantified globally. He further affirmed that the Minister of DMRE has tasked the CGS to map the country at greater scales. With Electrical Vehicles for example, we need about 50-100kg of graphite per vehicle. A significant amount is needed for battery storage in the energy sector. There is a graphite deposit in the region of 260 million tonnes which could place SA as a leader of critical minerals. When asked about cross country collaboration for critical minerals? He mentioned that there needs to be a deliberate intention to turn SA into an exploration site. We are beginning to delineate minerals that are deemed critical and we can take a regional approach by collaborating with neighbouring countries to find & secure the minerals as geology extends across the boundaries.The panel discussion concluded with the panellists responding to questions from the audience.