an extra ordinary look into the geology profession

7/31/2019 An Extra Ordinary Look into the Geology Profession

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An Extra-Ordinary Look into the Geology Profession

CONTENTS P AGE

The History 3

When, Why & How 3

The Extra-Ordinary Aspect 4

A Geologist Looks At 7

Appreciation of the Profession 8

Ms Oso Ordinary – Mining in Everyday life 9



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Technically speaking we all know that the profession of Geologybegan when the first people roamed the earth and that studying thescience of the earth dates back well before even the most wellrenowned geologists. But as with most professions it goes muchdeeper than that, Geology, in both theoretical and physicalconsideration, goes deeper than what is on the surface; Geologytakes the ordinary ‘things’ of this universe into the extra-ordinary.

Dictionary dot com describes Geology as::

“Geology [jee-ol-uh-jee]

The science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical,chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is

undergoing.” [dictionary.com]

Which is all well and good, and I am sure everyone who is in theindustry of Geology knows all these things. But what really takesour interest is more so the questions, just when, why and howGeology became a profession of such value and depth.

Relevantly speaking just as geology [and mining for that matter] has“always existed” it has always been of immense value. Throughouthistory we know that those who have studied the earth have beenthe ones to make relevant discoveries which have impacted our societies and made way for many new forms of energy.

However it was in the late 18th

century that geology became aspecific field of study, a recognised form of learning with systematicprincipals and in my opinion, in our opinion, this is the truebeginnings of a profession with endless value.

T HE HISTORY

Nearly three centuries later the degree in which the Geology fieldextends is phenomenal. With hundreds of different areas of expertise, numerous documenting techniques as well as copiousamounts of organizations that not only run the mining industry, butsupply to the mining industry our world now depends on theseprofessionals to keep up with the very high demand for fossil fuelsand mineral resources that our current way of living demands.

But when all is said and done, after we ‘get over’ the intensity of theever-increasing value of the geology profession we must then takea moment to appreciate the enormity and depth that this vocationand the people in it bring to our lives.

W HEN, WHY & HOW ?

“AS BUDS GIVE RISE

BY GROWTH TO FRESH

BUDS , AND THESE, IFVIGOROUS , BRANCH OUT

AND OVERTOP ON ALL

SIDES MANY A

FEEBLER BRANCH, SO

BY GENERATION IBELIEVE IT HAS BEEN

WITH THE GREAT T REEOF LIFE, WHICH FILLS

WITH ITS DEAD ANDBROKEN BRANCHES THE

CRUST OF THE EARTH,AND COVERS THE

SURFACE WITH ITS

EVER BRANCHING AND

BEAUTIFUL

RAMIFICATIONS .”

Charles Darwin



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T HE EXTRA-O RDINARY ASPECT

At RoxOlution we believe that we are all intrinsically defined by Geology in some way. We believe not only in the earth sciences that are studied but also in the people who study them, and as such werecently went out ‘into the field’ and explored the deeper aspects to some well-respected students &

professionals who have inspired us over time.

Defining Geology and the many aspects to the industry is almost somewhat impossible. Sure there isthe standard answer as found on Wikipedia or dictionary.com, however this standardisation does in noway express the heart and soul of the profession.

When asked what Geology means to them the Geologists we interviewed, as you would expect, never once mentioned the cold hard facts – it was and is about the emotional connection these people have

with the earth, about the want and need to help a society sustain their future, about the joy thatdiscoveries and the intense interest that its complexity’s bring.

“I consider and compare "GEOLOGY" to the human body. Both are highly interesting and just ascomplicated as the other. Just as in medical there are experts [or specialists] in all fields - so is in caseof geology. Discovery of an ore body is the biggest achievement and provides a sense of pleasure toa geologist, just as proper diagnosis, treatment and cure of a patient is the pride for a physician.”

Mahendra Pal

“Geology to me is the science which bridges all the other sciences; it has elements which can appeal

to all scientists and the power to benefit all peoples.” Jack Dann

“Geology to me is understanding the processes that made and make the earth, knowing different rock

types and how they are associated with the formational processes, and then in an economic sensehow to find and measure the minerals important for evolved life for us.” Robin Rankin



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Geology is the close examination of mother earth, her rocks, mountains and crevices. Adriaan vanHerk

The study of the earth and all the processes associated with it. Basically its trying to understand how this amazing Earth is the way it is. This is done by studying the rocks and there compositions and all

the different things that can happen to it to change it to generate the things we see today. Ann Willis

Many in the industry have shown us, and have taught us in many ways that while Geology as aprofession may get a wrap for being a high demand, highpay and [sometimes] obnoxious occupation - it is not aboutanything more than an enthusiasm, a curiosity, and a ‘need’to be involved in the natural world.

It is about questioning our past, present and future…

“I’ve always been curious as to how the world around usworks; travelling and observing landscapes haveblossomed into a fascination and a degree course! It’s

seeking the answer to the eternal question: ‘how did that

get there? And why?’’ ’ Jack Dann

“Desire to do something different .” Mahendra Pal

“My father first drew my attention in pre-teen years to East African geomorphology and the wonder and beauty of various landforms. Years later geology became an obvious career choice as it allowed me to continuously see landscape and nature - and to feel useful in the supply chain of materials for

people.” Robin Rankin

My mom and grandmother. Whenever we went on trips my mom was always collecting rocks that represented the area. It was my job to label them and put them in a bag so we would know where it

came from when we would get back home.My grandmother's father used to monitor the river water levels by their farm for the USGS back at theturn of the 1900's. My grandmother loved helping him and would talk about it a lot. Also she liked tocollect fossils from the area and would show them to me.

I started out wanting to go into archaeology and started to study geology to help with that but thengeology was so much more interesting to me and archaeology went to the way side. Besides it waseasier to get employed as a geologist than it was with a degree in archaeology.

My favourite subject in school was always science and geology let me use all different aspects of the

different sciences. Ann Willis

Like many other professions, through posing questions to ourselves geology not only explores aninner emotion that comes from experience and impacting the greater good of the earth, but Geology isalso a career where memorable personal experiences occur.

While soil sampling in the African savannah a farmer who had a pet lion gave us a lift to our survey line. While driving neighbour called him saying: "Your lion is eating my sheep". Farmer raced to thespot of the drama, jumped out of the jeep and started shouting at 'his' lion "Go home - scram!” With

little inclination to continue our soil grid with a lion lurking around - even supposing it was a 'pet' - weeagerly accepted farmer's offer for a drink. Ten minutes later we arrived at the farm, where the pet lion

lay in the front porch... fast asleep, where he had been for hours... Adriaan van Herk

I don’t think I have a most memorable experience in geology - just an international continuum of visions of the natural world. Maybe the most "impressive" experiences have been visits to mines -

particularly large open cuts. Robin Rankin



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To have worked on a project and then seeing that project come to fruition. Whether this

was finishing my masters thesis or drilling a

well from start to finish. Ann Willis

Speaking to people within the industry hasenhanced the reality that it is the eagerness,inquisitiveness, and a ‘want’ of involvement,the personal experience, and the fondmemories that in fact make or break aposition in a Geology career. It is thechallenges and the rapid progression of theindustry and companies that captivate mostGeologists.

The "interest" it will hold - in terms of new minerals, country, and environment. Possibly more

important still is the workplace and my requirement that the organisation be a "progressive" one interms of outlook. Robin Rankin

It’s not money! Something I can be able to develop my own interests and really ‘get my teeth into’! Jack Dann

Every job is a challange. Jobs are like a rundown business, which need hard work to bring it back

to fruition. Mahendra Pal

Enthusiastic team, eager to make a discovery, exciting geology and mineral potential,knowledgeable and focused directors. Adriaan van Herk

Feeling like I can work with the people. If they come across as honest and willing to train you soyou can do the job the proper way. If they're wishy washy about how they're going to train youand the schedule for it-- that shows they're really not interested in developing you to your fullest

potential and it makes you wonder what type of jobs they will be having you do. Ann Willis

When, as stated before, we come to realise the enormity of the Geology profession and whatGeologists bring to the ‘table’ we are able to realise just when, why and most importantly how Geology became a profession of such value and wealth.

"B EAUTIFUL IS WHAT DIRECTLY IS REVEALED

TO THE SENSES WITHOUT DISSECTION . M ORE

BEAUTIFUL IS WHAT THE DISSECTION DRAWS

FORTH FROM THE HIDDEN INTERIOR PARTS .

B UT FAR MOST BEAUTIFUL — ALTHOUGH

ESCAPING THE SENSES — IS WHAT CAN BE

APPROACHED THROUGH REASONING ABOUT

WHAT THE SENSES HAVE ALREADY

PERCEIVED "

-NIELS S TENSEN (NICOLAUS S TENO )



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A GEOLOGIST LOOKS AT



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APPRECIATION OF THE P ROFESSION

The question is though, what does it all mean?

To someone who is not within the industry, who is unaware of the skills involved in creating asustainable future for the world it is somewhat hard to comprehend that we are in part allfundamentally defined by the world of Geology.

The world - the universe - is and has been sustained by continued research of the past in order toappreciate it and make predictions on our future. Discovery has lead to the understanding of manydifferent aspects of our history, which in turn has lead to both political and technologicaldevelopments.

And we depend on such developments – basically – to live.

A chain of events that could be seen to lead us to the point that we are at right in this very second…

Appreciation comes from perspective. Understanding that we are all defined [in part] by whatGeologists do. Remove the first step in the above process and we are left with?

What we are is left without the bread for our butter, or without the meat to our stew…

If we really step back and look at the reality of the Geology Profession and the people behind it, then Iguess we really can see just how our current living demands make this an extra-ordinary vocation andwhy over the past two centaury’s Geology became a profession of such value and depth.



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BROUGHT TO YOU BY :



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Roxanne Flanagan Owner & Principal Consultant

BEHIND T HE S CENES

an extra ordinary look into the geology profession

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