report...1 report 23rd colloquium of african geology, university of johannesburg south africa cag23...
TRANSCRIPT
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REPORT
23rd Colloquium of African Geology, University of Johannesburg
South Africa
CAG23
www.cag23.co.za
8 to 14 January 2011
Theme
“Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geoscience”
Compiled by
Prof Hassina MOURI (University of Johannesburg) Chair of the Organising Committee – CAG23 & Secretary General of the Geological Society of Africa
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About the CAG23 logo (designed by Hassina Mouri): The gold-bearing specimen in the shape of “Africa” is a historical piece (size ~ 6,4 cm, see original photograph to the right) from Witwatersrand, South Africa. It is chosen to symbolise the precious nature of Africa in terms of its geo-heritage, and natural and mineral resources. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Cairncross).
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Table of Contents 1) About the Colloquium of African Geology ................................................................................ 4 2) Main Organising Institutions of CAG23 ..................................................................................... 4 3) Marketing of the Event ................................................................................................................ 4 4) Scientific Programme .................................................................................................................. 5 4.1) Special Sessions ........................................................................................................................ 5 4.2) Plenary Lectures ...................................................................................................................... 5 5) Workshops ................................................................................................................................... 6 6) Short Courses .............................................................................................................................. 6 7) Business Meetings ....................................................................................................................... 8 8) Excursions ................................................................................................................................... 8 9) Exhibitions .................................................................................................................................. 9 10) Event Venue ............................................................................................................................ 10 11) Accommodation and Transport ............................................................................................... 12 12) Evening Functions .................................................................................................................. 13 13) CAG23 in numbers .................................................................................................................. 15 14) Sponsored Delegates: .............................................................................................................. 17 15) CAG23 Finance ....................................................................................................................... 17 16) CAG23 Sponsors ..................................................................................................................... 18 17) Comparison with the most recent CAGs (since 2006): ........................................................... 19 18) Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................................... 20 19) Acknowledgements 20) Local Organising Committee APPENDIX 1: ............................................................................................................................... 27 COLLOQUIA OF AFRICAN GEOLOGY – A RETROSPECTIVE OF CAG ............................ 27 APPENDIX 2: SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME .............................................................................. 29 APPENDIX 3: REPORTS ON SPECIAL SESSIONS ................................................................. 37 APPENDIX 4: REPORTS ON WORKSHOPS ............................................................................ 43 APPENDIX 5: REPORTS ON BUSINESS MEETINGS ............................................................. 49 APPENDIX 6: REPORT ON EXCURSIONS .............................................................................. 51 APPENDIX 7: KEYNOTE ADDRESSES .................................................................................... 55 APPENDIX 8: SOME COMMENTS FROM DELEGATES 67 APPENDIX 9: ARTICLES/PRESS RELEASE/OTHER PUBLICATIONS ............................... 72 APPENDIX 10: REPORTS ON CAG21/CAG22 ......................................................................... 82
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1) About the Colloquium of African Geology
The Colloquium of African Geology (CAG) is a major biennial international meeting that is organised under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf). This event, which can attract several hundred delegates worldwide, provides ample opportunities to present advances and unsolved problems in geoscience topics that are related directly or indirectly to Africa on a continental scale. Since CAG was launched in 1964, this meeting has taken place 17 times in Europe and only five times in Africa (Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Mozambique and Tunisia). For further information about the Colloquium of African Geology, from its launch in 1964, see Retrospective of CAG by Mouri et al., 2010 (Appendix 1). Based on this, Prof Mouri presented a bid on behalf of the South African geoscience community in Tunisia in November 2008 during CAG22 to host the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology (CAG23) – which was approved. 2) Main Organising Institutions of CAG23 CAG23 was organised by the University of Johannesburg, as the main host, in collaboration with the University of Witwatersrand, the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA), the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) and the Mineralogical Association of South Africa (MINSA) – under the auspices of the GSAf. The event took place at the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus of the University of Johannesburg, while the opening ceremony took place at the Soweto Campus. 3) Marketing of the Event The event was advertised by a number of national and international organisations through their websites and newsletters. In addition, presentations were given at international and national conferences and meetings and circulars and newsletters were sent out worldwide. 4) Scientific Programme The commitment of the LOC of CAG23 to offer a rich and varied scientific programme was fulfilled: The 16 planned scientific symposia convened by outstanding experts (see Appendix 2-1) were all organised with more than 300 oral presentations, 26 keynote/invited talks and 6 plenary lectures, as well as up to 100 posters. This was organised over a period of four days (10-11 January and 13-14 January 2011) in the form of five parallel scientific symposia and one to two plenary lecture(s) per day, with a one-day break on 12 January, during which a planned mine visit, a one-day excursion and two workshops took place.
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4.1) Special Sessions Several special symposia were organised and most were dedicated to outstanding geoscientists for their remarkable contributions to geosciences in Africa (see Appendix 3). In addition, four full symposia were dedicated to the following salient topics:
1. Women in Geosciences @ CAG23 (see Report 3.1, Appendix 3); 2. Seismotectonics and Seismic Hazards in Africa (see Report 3.2, Appendix 3); 3. Medical Geology in Africa (see Report 3.3, Appendix 3); 4. Young Earth Scientists (YES) – Africa @ CAG23 (see Report 3.4, Appendix 3).
4.2) Plenary Lectures This was the first time in the history of CAG that a large number of plenary lectures were considered in the scientific programme. Six plenary lectures (each 30 minutes long), covering various important aspects of geosciences, human evolution and earth science education in Africa, were delivered by world-class national and international experts. All the plenary lectures took place before the start of the morning and/or afternoon sessions and were held at the main auditorium of the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus of the University of Johannesburg. The plenary lectures were presented by: 1. Professor Christopher Hawkesworth, Deputy Principal and Vice-Principal for Research, St Andrews University, Scotland, who addressed one of the most exciting topics in geology: The Geological Record of When and How the Continental Crust Was Generated; 2. Professor Phillip Tobias, a South African palaeoanthropologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of the Witwatersrand, who addressed the topic of Human Evolution in Africa (see Appendix 2-2) 3. Professor Larry Woodfork, Former IYPE President, USA, who addressed the topic of IYPE and Earth Science Education in Africa; 4. Professor José Centeno, Chairman, International Medical Geology Association Officer, USA, who addressed the topic of Health and Earth – Medical Geology: Building a Safer Environment; 5. Dr Ian Jackson, OneGeology project co-ordinator, BGS, UK, who addressed the topic of OneGeology – sharing geological data and know-how; 6. Dr Philippe Rossi (CGMW-France) and Dr Felix Toteu (UNESCO-Nairobi) who addressed the topic of Launching the 1/10M Tectonic Map of Africa (TeMAf).
Photograph to the left: Hassina Mouri (Chair CAG23) and Sharad Master (VC-CAG23) with Prof Tobias at the plenary lecture. Photograph to the right: Prof Christopher Hawkesworth.
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5) Workshops In order to stimulate discussions and debates on certain important geoscience issues in Africa and ongoing projects under the leadership of some important European organisations (France, Germany, UK), seven workshops were organised during the event. These were:
1. WS1: Platreef – South Africa (see Report 4.1, Appendix 4); 2. WS2: Analytical Techniques and South African Analytical Facilities (see Report 4.2,
Appendix 4); 3. WS3: Earth Science Education in Africa – UNESCO Initiative (see Report 4.3,
Appendix 4); 4. WS4: African-European Georesources Observation System (France) (AEGOS)/GIRAF
(Germany)/OneGeology (UK) (see Report 4.4, Appendix 4); 5. WS5 and business meeting: Geological Continental Scale Mapping in Africa
(Commission of the Map of the World – France) (see Report 4.5, Appendix 4); 6. WS6: Improving Regional Water Management in Africa on the Basis of Geodetic
Water-Cycle Monitoring (see Report 4.6, Appendix 4); 7. WS7: Definition of a Resource (see Report 4.7, Appendix 4).
Dr Ian Jackson and delegates at One-Geology workshop.
Delegates of the GIRAF workshop (Photo K. Asch, BGR Germany).
6) Short Courses Two short courses were organised, which were: SC1: Fluid Inclusions (Profs J. Touret, France and J-M. Huizenga, North-West University). This short course consisted of the techniques of the study of fluid inclusions in petrology and was attended by 12 delegates from SA and other African countries, as well as Iran. It was organised during the weekend of 8 to 9 January 2011. SC2: Uranium Geology (Prof M. Cuney, University of Nancy, France). This short course aimed to improve understanding of:
- physical and chemical properties of uranium and implications for exploration; - uranium deposit types and ore-forming processes and their evolution through time; - world distribution of uranium resources and history of production.
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This course was organised during the weekend of 15 to 16 January 2011 and was attended by 12 delegates from SA, Namibia and France. 7) Business Meetings Four business meetings took place during the event. These were:
1. Tectonic Map of Africa (Chairs: Drs P. Rossi – BRGM, France and F. Toteu, UNESCO) (see Report 5.1, Appendix 5);
2. Seismotectonic Map of Africa and OAGS (Prof M. Meghraoui – France (see Report 5-2, Appendix 5) and Dr L. Bitam – Algeria (see Report 5.3, Appendix 5);
3. Medical Geology Meeting (Prof T. Davies, South Africa) (see Report 3.3, Appendix 3); 4. Geological Society of Africa General Assembly (report published in Newsletter No. 1
available on-line at: http://www.geologicalsocietyofafrica.org/news/newsletter/). 8) Excursions This part of the event was very important as it provided opportunities for delegates to examine various aspects of South African geology on site. Eight out of the 10 planned excursions (see list below) were successfully attended by up to 80 delegates. Special thanks are due to all the excursion leaders for their commitment and help with this important aspect of the Colloquium. All the leaders reported that all the excursions, without exception, went very smoothly and were enjoyed by delegates. Details about the excursions are presented in Appendix 6.
1. Excursion 1: The Limpopo Mobile Belt of Southern Africa. Leaders: Prof Jan-Marten Huizenga (North-West University) and Prof van Reenen (University of Johannesburg);
2. Excursion 2: The Eastern Bushveld Igneous Complex. Leader: Prof Chris Gauert (University of the Free State);
3. Excursion 3: The Barberton Granitoid-Greenstone Terrain and Ancient Gneiss Complex in South Africa and Swaziland. Leaders: Prof Axel Hofmann (University of Johannesburg) and Prof Alfred Kröner (Germany);
4. Excursion 4: Pilanesberg Alkaline Complex. Leader: Prof Grant Cawthorn (University of the Witwatersrand);
5. Excursion 5: Johannesburg Geological Museum. Leader: Prof Bruce Cairncross (University of Johannesburg);
6. Excursion 6: Meso- to NeoArchean Granite-Greenstone Terrain of the Johannesburg Dome. Leader: Prof Carl Anhaeusser (University of the Witwatersrand);
7. Excursion 7: Vredefort Dome – Part of a Meteorite Impact Site. Leaders: Prof Marthie Coetzee, Prof Marian Tredoux and Mr Cobus Jansen van Rensburg.
8. Excursion 8: The Mponeng Gold Mine.
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Participants of the Barberton excursion (front, Prof Axel Hofman, excursion leader).
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Participants of the Pilanesberg Excursion. Prof Grant Cawthorn (right, excursion leader).
Prof Marthie Coetze (middle, excursion leader) with 2 delegates at Vredefort Dome.
Delegates enjoying a nice dinner after the Vredefort excursion.
Participants of the Vredefort excursion.
Some of the participants of the Bushveld excursion at a mine visit. From Left to right: Paul Kay (Australia), Chris Gauert (SA), Anne Nedelec (France).
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9) Exhibitions A total number of 18 national and international organisations and publishers (see table below) expressed interest in exhibiting during CAG23. Organisation of the stands was ensured by the OASYS company (www.oasys.co.za). Special thanks are due to Brendon Fagrew for the excellent organisation.
1. Council for Geosciences; 2. Commission for the Geological Map of the
World. France; 3. IGC-34 Brisbane, Australia; 4. United Spectrometer, South Africa; 5. Geological Society of America; 6. Geological Society of London; 7. Geological Society of South Africa; 8. Society of Economic Geologists; 9. Inkaba yeAfrica, South Africa;
10. Red Dog Scientific Services, South Africa; 11. Springer Publisher, Germany; 12. Geological Society of Africa (GSAf) 13. IUGS; 14. Art and Craft of South Africa; 15. Rocks and Minerals of South Africa; 16. School of Geosciences, Wits University 17. Faculty of Science, University of
Johannesburg; 18. IMA 2014, South Africa.
Some Photographs of the exhibitions
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10) Event venue 10.1) Registration of delegates took place at the main hall of the DLes Lab of the Auckland Park Campus (UJ). The registration was managed by Hennie Jonker (UJ) assisted by Jill Richards (MINSA) and a number of geology students (20 from UJ and 2 from Wits).
10.2) Scientific programme: The five parallel symposia, six plenary lectures and keynote presentations, as well as short courses, workshops, business meetings and poster sessions, were all held in the DLes lecture halls of the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus of the University of Johannesburg. There are always clashes and conflicts at such large meetings; however, the sessions were logically arranged with lecture theatres in close proximity, which made attending consecutive talks, meetings, etc. in different sessions much easier than anticipated. The UJ venue was indeed a particularly excellent choice.
10.3) Coffee breaks: two coffee breaks per day were organised in the main foyer of the lecture halls, where posters were also displayed to allow for discussions and interaction. 10.4) Lunches: were offered at a separate location (foyer of the main auditorium) to allow delegates to enjoy a one-hour break (12:30-13:30).
UJ students at the registration desk.
Jill and Hennie at the registration desk.
Jill, Hennie, Herman, Hassina and Sharad.
Hassina, Lew Ashwal, Bruce Cairncross and
Steve McCourt at the main hall.
W. Alterman, Nic Beukes and Erika Barton
during a coffee break.
Jan Kramers and Christopher Hawkesworth
during a coffee break.
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General view: delegates at the main hall during a coffee break and posters session.
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11) Accommodation and Transport Accommodation was organised by the event manager Richard Bailey. The recommended Hotel for the event was the Garden Court Milpark and the University of the Witwatersrand’s student residence, which are located a few kilometres from the University of Johannesburg. In addition, several guest-houses were also recommended. Transport was ensured from the accommodation sites to the venue of the events, as well as from the airport and back. Our postgraduate and undergraduate students were in charge of this task using the Department of Geology, UJ vehicles in addition to rented buses.
UJ Geology students proud to be involved in CAG23: From left to right: Front: Sindi, Kristine, Maria (all from UJ UJ) and Sarah (Wits). Middle: Sarah, Ashly, Herve, Brandon, Derick, Marikie, Back: David, Nic and Hassina (All from UJ).
12) Evening Functions Five evening functions (see table below) were offered to delegates from 9th to 14th/01. This was to allow for further interaction and networking amongst delegates. Most appreciated the opportunities as they constitute an extension of the “unfinished” discussions during the scientific sessions, which are usually limited in time. At each evening function there was one guest speaker and one or more other speakers addressing the delegates according to the theme of the function. Bruce Cairncross (UJ), Sharad Master (Wits) and Paul Nex (GSSA) introducing speakers at the various functions.
Bruce Cairncross
at the opening ceremony.
Sharad Master
at the welcoming function.
Paul Nex
at the conference dinner.
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Theme/ Function
Program Director
Keynote Speaker Other Speakers Venue
1)Welcoming Function 09/01/ 2011
Dr Master (VC-CAG23-LOC, Wits)
Prof K. Burger, Dean Faculty of Science, UJ (See Welcome Address 1, Appendix 7)
• Prof Mouri, Chair CAG23, SG-GSAf • Prof Mogessier, President GSAf • Prof Bowden
Auditorium of the Auckland Park Campus – UJ
2) Opening Ceremony 11/01/2011
Prof Cairncross (HOD – Geology, UJ)
Ms Pandor, Minister of Science and Tech, (See Opening Address 2, Appendix 7)
• Prof Rensburg, VC, UJ • Prof Mouri, Chair CAG23, SG-GSAf • Prof Mogessier, President GSAf
Soweto Campus – UJ
3) Women in Geoscience @ CAG23 12 /01/ 2011
Prof Mouri, Chair CAG23, SG-GSAf
Mrs Willard Deputy Director, Geoscience and Mining, DST, SA
• Prof Burger, Dean, Faculty of Science, UJ • Prof Woodfork (IYPE-USA)
Auckland Park Campus – UJ
4) YES Function 13 /01/2011
Dr Nex, President GSA, VC-CAG23-LOC
Prof Mogessie, President GSAf
• Prof Kinnaird (Wits)
Art Gallery – Auckland Park Campus – UJ
5) Conference Dinner 14/01/2011
Dr Nex, President GSA, VC-CAG23-LOC
Prof Mogessie, President GSAf
• Prof Beukes, UJ The Johannesburg Country Club
The “UJ family” at the opening ceremony of CAG23- Soweto Campus: From left to right: Prof Ihron Rensburg (Vice- Chancellor, UJ), Prof Angina Parekh (Deputy VC-UJ), Prof Bruce Cairncross (HOD-Geology, UJ), Prof Hassina Mouri (Chair CAG23), Prof Kinta Burger (Dean Faculty of Science, UJ).
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YES function at the UJ Art Gallery.
Delegates from North Africa (Algeria and Morocco) at the conference dinner.
UJ Choir at the conference dinner.
The McCourt twins: Bill (BGS, UK) and Steve (UKZN, SA) at the conference dinner:
who is who?
Back: A. Frenze (SABC), L. Woodfork (IYPE, USA), B.
Cairncross (Geology, UJ). Front: J. Richard (MINSA), H. Mouri, K. Burger (Dean Science, UJ).
Paul Nex (GSSA President) & Hassina Mouri (with a “flashy” orange hair style reflecting the UJ colour!!) at the conference dinner.
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13) CAG23 in numbers CAG23 was the largest colloquium of its kind in Africa and one of the largest in Europe. The total number of delegates that registered on-line was 535 and the total number of delegates who attended the event (including delegates for workshops, excursions, short courses and business meetings) was 503 representing 59 countries in the world (see table next page).
49% 51%
% of African vs Non-‐African countries
African countries (=29)
Non-‐African countries (=30)
69%
31%
% of African vs Non-‐African delegates
Total number of African delegates (= 345)
Total number Non-‐African delegates (=158)
21%
79%
% of Students vs Academics
Total Number of Students (=104)
Total Number of Delegates (=399)
38%
31%
31%
South Africa delegates (= 190)
OtherAfrican delegates (=155)
Non-‐African delegates (=158)
6%
25%
11% 26%
4%
28%
All delegates African students/YES (=28) 6%
African Academics (=127) 25%
SA-‐African students (=58) 11%
SA-‐African Academics (=132) 26%
Non-‐African students (=18) 4%
Non-‐African Academics (=140) 28%
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List of countries and number of delegates per country:
LIST OF NON-AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Number of delegates per country
LIST OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Number of delegates per country
1. FRANCE 28 1. SA 190
2. GERMANY 19 2. NIGERIA 18
3. UK 18 3. ALGERIA 18
4. AUSTRALIA 16 4. CAMEROON 14
5. BELGIUM 12 5. ETHIOPIA 12
6. BRAZIL 11 6. MOZAMBIQUE 12
7. AUSTRIA 7 7. GHANA 12
8. USA 6 8. IVORY COAST 10
9. SPAIN 5 9. NAMIBIA 6
10. IRAN 4 10. TANZANIA 8
11. JAPAN 4 11. MALAWI 7
12. FINLAND 3 12. BOTSWANA 6
13. NORWAY 3 13. UGANDA 5
14. PORTUGAL 3 14. CONGO 3
15. IRELAND 2 15. KENYA 3
16. ITALY 2 16. MOROCCO 3
17. SWEDEN 2 17. SENEGAL 3
18. CANADA 1 18. ZAMBIA 3
19. HONG KONG 1 19. SUDAN 2
20. HUNGARY 1 20. BURKINA FASO 1
21. IRAQ 1 21. BURUNDI 1
22. KUWAIT 1 22. CENTRAL AR 1
23. POLAND 1 23. LIBYA 1
24. R. OF KOSOVO 1 24. MADAGASCAR 1
25. RUSSIA 1 25. GAMBIA 1
26. SCOTLAND 1 26. TUNISIA 1 27. THE
NETHERLANDS 2 27. SIERA LEONE 1
28. TURKEY 1 28. BÉNIN 1
29. URUGUAY 1 29. ANGOLA 1
30. GREECE 1 Total number of
delegates 158 Total number of
delegates 345 Total number of
countries 30 Total number of
countries 29
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14) Sponsored Delegates: 14.1) Registration Fees
Category /
Total Number Countries Sponsors
Full Registration Academics = 62
• Africa (8 GSAf Council members + 12 others) = 20 • South Africa = 22 • Other countries = 8 • Delegates from Sponsors
(South African & Non-African) = 12
CAG23*
Full Registration Students/YES = 45
• South African = 25 • Other Africans = 20
GSAf (10YES), CAG23* (35 others)
Discount on Registration Academics = 20
African & Non-African = 20
CAG23*
Total = 127 127
14.2) Air Ticket Sponsors
Sponsor Number of tickets
Category
CAG23* 14 Academics (Afr = 5, non-Afr = 2), African students = 7 UNESCO 11 Academics = 7, students = 4 (All African) French Embassy 6 Academics AusAid 2 Academics GSAf 6 Academics (All GSAf Council members)
Total = 39 14.3) Accommodation
Category/Number Countries Academics = 25 USA = 2 (plenary), France = 6 (keynotes), Australia
(keynotes) = 2, Africa = 15 Students/YES = 26 All African Total delegates = 51
* CAG sponsors through funds obtained from various sources (see table CAG23-sponsors). 15) CAG23 Finance The surplus resulted from CAG23 is shared according to the MOU signed between the GSAf and the University of Johannesburg. The table below summarises the situation. Total income R1,925,667.03 Refund GSAf Loan - R50000 Total Expenses - R1,658,599.23 Surplus + R217067.8 • UJ (Faculty of Science and Geology Department) (50%) R108533.9 • GSAf (30%) R65120.34 • GSSA & MINSA (20%) R43413.56
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16) CAG23 Sponsors We are very grateful to the following organisations and institutions for their very generous support to CAG23. Their financial support helped make the event the most successful in the history of CAG.
Category
SPONSORS Platinum
200 000 - 300 000 Gold
80 000-150 000 Silver
40 000-70 000 Bronze
20 000-30 000 Others ≤ 10 000
National sponsors NRF X
DST X Johannesburg Tourism C X Faculty of Science (UJ) X
NECSA (SA) X Exxaro X PPM-Geology – UJ X GSSA X
Shango X XRD X SRK (SA) X CGS X AngloGold X Wits X NWU
X
International BRGM X French Embassy X UNESCO X Vale (SA) X AUSAid (Australia) X Geological Society of America X Geological Society of London X IUGG X IUGS Tectask (France) X WAXI West Africa (France) X Meteorite Society X IASPEI X IUGS & GSAf X GEM
X
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17) Comparison with the most recent CAGs (since 2006): 17-1) CAG23, CAG22 and CAG21: (see reports Appendix 10)
CAG Country Chair Total Number of delegates
African delegates
Non-African
Total Number of countries
CAG23-2011 South Africa Prof Mouri 503 345 158 59 CAG22 -2008 Tunisia Prof Inoubli 302 244 58 41 CAG21-2006 Mozambique Prof Vasconcelos 300 205 95 52
17.2) Number of delegates vs. number of CAG (see Appendix 1)
68%
32%
CAG21
African delegates (68%)
Non-‐African delegates (32%)
81%
19%
CAG22
African delegates (19%)
Non-‐African delegates (81%)
69%
31%
CAG23
African delegates (69%) Non-‐African delegates (31%)
0
100
200
300
400
500
CAG1-‐UK-‐ 1964
CAG2
CAG3
CAG4
CAG5
CAG6
CAG7
CAG8
CAG9
CAG10
CAG11
CAG12
CAG13 -‐ Scotland
CAG14 -‐ Berlin
CAG15-‐Nancy
CAG16
CAG17-‐Zimb
CAG18-‐Graz
CAG20
CAG21-‐Mozam
b CAG22-‐Tunisia
CAG23-‐ 2011 -‐SA
Data not available
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18. Concluding Remarks: The aim of CAG23 – hosted in January 2011 by the University of Johannesburg in cooperation with the University of Witwatersrand, the Geological Society of South Africa, the Mineralogical Association of South Africa and the the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa, was to raise awareness of research and education in the field of earth sciences in Africa. The event started on 9 January 2011 with a welcoming address delivered by Prof Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Science, during which she highlighted the history of the University of Johannesburg. Prof Burger stated that the theme of the colloquium, Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geoscience, was not only appropriate for a CAG conference, but was also appropriate to the history of the University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa and the continent. Prof Burger stressed the important role that UJ can play in promoting and developing geosciences in Africa. At this special occasion, Prof Peter Bowden presented a very comprehensive review of the history of CAG. Prof Bowden acknowledged the important role that Prof Tom Clifford from Wits University (SA) had played in organising the very first Colloquium of African Geology in Leeds in 1964. This address was followed by a presentation by the President of the Geological Society of Africa, Prof Mogessie, on the history of the Society. The official opening ceremony took place at the Soweto Campus on 10 January 2011, during which the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor, highlighted the importance of geosciences in education and the socio-economic development of our continent. Among other remarks, the Minister stressed that such meetings should be followed by tangible action in scientific research in Africa. In this regard, Mrs Pandor stated that the theme of the Colloquium, Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geoscience, was very appropriate. CAG23 was certainly one of the most successful events in the history of African geosciences and was hosted in South Africa for the first time. This event attracted the largest number of delegates (503 in total), representing 59 countries from Africa, Europe, America, Australia and Asia, since it was launched in 1964. CAG23 had a unique multidisciplinary nature, as it covered a very large spectrum of disciplines within the earth sciences, which have a direct or indirect impact on society. During this meeting, the many challenges, geo-hazards, major and minor advances, obstacles and opportunities in different aspects of basic and applied fields of geosciences, research and education in Africa were discussed in the form of: 16 scientific symposia divided into five parallel sessions per day, with more than 300 oral presentations (presented in French and English), 26 keynote/invited speakers, up to 100 posters and six plenary lectures. Several full symposia were dedicated to some outstanding scientists for their achievements and contributions to geosciences in Africa, such as: A special session on Palaeontology, Anthropology, Paleoclimatology and Human Evolution in Africa was dedicated to Professor Phillip Tobias, a South African palaeoanthropologist and professor emeritus at the University of the Witwatersrand. On the same occasion, Professor
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Tobias honoured CAG23 by delivering a plenary address on the topic Human Evolution in Africa (see Appendix 2.2), which remains a memorable contribution in the history of the Colloquium of African Geology. Moreover, several scientific sessions were organised on various salient topics, including:
• Women in Geosciences @ CAG23, during which it was confirmed that there is still a
need for active intervention to raise the status of women in this field and to empower the next generation of female scientists and engineers.
• Seismotectonics and Seismic Hazards in Africa: This session offered an opportunity to debate on the role of thematic mapping for better constraint of seismic hazards and for mitigation of earthquake risks in Africa. Furthermore, a business meeting was held in conjunction with the Organisation of African Geological Surveys in order to present and discuss a project on the Seismotectonic Map of Africa. This project is now being funded under the UNESCO SIDA/IGCP Project 601 for a period of four years. Another project named Global Earthquake Model – Africa is in preparation. This is a very important outcome of the session, which is line with the objectives of the event. We wish to congratulate Prof Meghraoui and his team for this achievement and wish them success.
• Medical Geology in Africa: During this session it was clearly demonstrated that the African continent suffers from a large number of geological issues that are affecting public health, animals and plants. However, the session, with its business meeting and a plenary lecture on Health and Earth – Medical Geology: Building a Safer Environment by Jose Centeno (Chair of the International Medical Geology Association), only attracted a small number of delegates. This shows that the topic has not yet gained sufficient attention in Africa. Based on this, the University of Johannesburg, in collaboration with the International Medical Geology Association, is in the process of exploring the possibility of establishing an “International Centre of Excellence in Medical Geology in Africa” (ICEMGA).
• Young Earth Scientists (YES) – Africa @ CAG23: This session served as a platform for YES – Africa to discuss challenges and possible contributions for the improvement of geosciences in Africa. Several recommendations were made:
- Creating a working group that will focus on geo-hazards in Africa, with each country
having a representative in this field; - Organising various outreach activities to communicate with communities about geo-
hazards; - Improving environmental awareness to get youngsters interested in earth sciences; - Selling the discipline of geosciences beyond the challenges.
Furthermore, several other events took place during CAG23, which include:
• Seven workshops addressing geoscience topics related to the African continent; • Eighteen national and international organisations participating in exhibitions; • Two short courses focusing on: (i) the role of fluid inclusions in understanding
geological research and (ii) geology and mineral deposits of uranium; • Eight excursions to the most exciting geological sites in South Africa, which illustrated
some of the theoretical aspects discussed during the scientific sessions; • Four business meetings addressing several issues pertinent to geosciences in Africa such
as geo-hazards, the tectonic map of Africa, medical geology in Africa and the Geological Society of Africa’s business meeting. At this meeting, Algeria and Ethiopia presented
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their bids to host CAG24, which was won by Ethiopia. Further information on the event, will be published on the website of the Geological Society of Africa.
The delegates particularly enjoyed five evening functions, during which they were entertained by the UJ Choir. These functions allowed for further interaction and networking amongst delegates and they constituted an extension of the “everlasting” discussions during the scientific sessions, which are usually limited in time. In terms of sponsorship, several national and international organisations kindly supported the event. This shows the important interest that is given to African geosciences. This important financial contribution enabled CAG23 to provide support in various ways (registration fees/accommodation/air tickets) to a large number of delegates. Up to 217 delegates, including 82 students and young scientists from Africa and 135 academics (plenary/keynote/invited speakers) from various countries, representing nearly 43% of the total number of the delegates, received support. In conclusion: CAG23 was the largest colloquium of its kind in Africa and one of the largest in Europe (Germany and France). The total number of delegates who attended the event (including delegates for workshops, excursions, short courses and business meetings) was 503 representing 59 countries in the world. The large number of participants and countries that were brought together by CAG23, all the issues that were discussed and the successful outcomes of some of the sessions/workshops/business meetings that took place during this event demonstrate the theme of the event, “together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geoscience”, very well. Based on the outcome of the event, it is clear that the Colloquium of African Geology has become the foremost African geology forum, which promotes economic development and enhances understanding of the mitigation of a large range of natural hazards that affect our society. Internationally, it also plays a crucial role in stimulating scientific collaboration and networking within African countries and with the rest of the world. The outcome of CAG23 shows that the event has evolved over the last 47 years: hence, we believe it now deserves to be called the “Congress on African Geology”. We look forward to another, even more successful gathering on African geology (CAG24) in Ethiopia in January 2013.
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19) Acknowledgements: On behalf of the CAG23 Organising Committee, the Geological Society of Africa and the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to H.E. Mrs Naledi Pandor for her availability to meet us and to discuss the objectives of the conference, for honouring us at the opening ceremony and for her kind financial and moral support to the event. We are indeed very grateful to all national and international organizations (listed in table page 18) for their contribution to the sponsorship of the event. Without their kind support, we would not have been able to achieve the objective in making CAG23 the best in its history. All the delegates, plenary and invited speakers, conveners of the scientific sessions, excursion and workshops leaders, short course presenters and advisory board members are warmly thanked for their contributions and support to the event. This greatly enhanced the international profile of CAG23. We are very grateful to Prof Tobias for accepting our invitation and honouring us by delivering a plenary address, which remains a memorable contribution in the history of the Colloquium of African Geology. Special thanks are addressed to all the South African institutions and organisations, which supported the event and those, involved in its organisation for their support and joining all together under the theme "Together in Africa for a leading Role in geosciences” to make CAG23 a reference in the African geosciences for the years ahead. We are indeed grateful to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg Prof Ihron Rensburg, to the Deputy Vice-Chancellors Profs Adam Habib and Angina Parekh for their kind support to the event, the Registrar Prof Muller for allowing us to use the venues and facilities on UJ Campus, Dr. Manyaka for his kind support at the Soweto Campus and Prof Bruce Cairncross, Head of Department of Geology (UJ) for adopting the event, supporting it and providing valuable advices. Our choice to organize CAG23 on UJ Campuses was indeed very appropriate and most valued by delegates. In particular, we are thankful to geology postgraduate and undergraduate students for their commitment and the remarkable assistance they provided during the event. They made a significant contribution to its success and made Geology @ UJ very proud. All the staff from various units of the University of Johannesburg including graphic design, printing department, media, marketing, communication, catering, information technology, venues booking, audio-visual, security, cleaning, finance department, faculty of science office, geology department, library, emergency unit, are all thanked for their great support and availability. The success of CAG23 is certainly a result of all this collective effort, which is in line with the theme chosen for the event: “Together in Africa for a leading role in geoscience”. Jill Richards (MINSA) and Hennie Jonker (UJ Geology) are warmly thanked for all the hard work and the professional management of the registration process as well as other important aspects of the event. Morne and Zelda Enslin are thanked for helping delegates to explore the beauty of the South African nature through tours to various touristic sites. R. Bailey for organising the accommodation and assisting with other matters of the event.
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Peter Rolfe (Mahoonas) is warmly thanked for the excellent work on the website and his availability. Thanks to all the colleagues who provided feedback on special sessions, workshops and excursions, articles, which are included in this report at the appendices section. All colleagues and friends at UJ, South Africa and elsewhere who supported the bid to host CAG23 in South Africa, and who supported the event all the way since then, thank you for your support and for the confidence you put in us to host this prestigious event. The Department of International Relations is particularly thanked for the sterling support during the bid presentation in Tunis, November 2008. Our sincere appreciation to Professor Alberto Riccardi, President of the International Union of Geological Science (IUGS) for his message of sympathy (page 62) and our thanks for all his support to geoscience in Africa in general. I would like to take this opportunity to renew my warm thanks to all colleagues of the organising committee for their valuable contribution and great help to make this event a successful one. Special thanks to Danielle Boxshall-Smith (UJ Languages Department) for editing the first part of this report (page 1 to 22). Finally, our sincere gratitude goes to Professor Kinta Burger, Dean of Faculty of Science for her very positive spirit about the event, availability, valuable advices, encouragement, moral and financial support, which helped to make CAG23 a unique and memorable experience on African Geoscience at UJ, in South Africa and in Africa in general. Prof Hassina Mouri Chair CAG23 Secretary General GSAf University of Johannesburg 27/10/2011
Members of the Local Organising Committee: Prof H Mouri (UJ) Chairperson / Sponsorship
Dr S Master (Wits) Vice-Chair
Dr P Nex (GSSA) Vice –Chair
Dr J Richards (MINSA) Secretary
Prof Jan Kramers (UJ) and Prof F Viljoen (UJ) Scientific program coordination
Prof Jan Kramers (UJ) and M Knoper Abstracts coordination
Dr S. Verryn & Dr J. Richards (MINSA) Workshops coordination
Dr M de Kock (UJ) & Prof JM Huizenga (NWU) Short courses coordination
Dr H van Niekerk (UJ) & Mr B Smith (UJ) Excursions & Mine visits
Mr. H Jonker (UJ) Finance/Logistics
Mrs. A Frense (SABA-SABC) Media representative
Mr. R. Bailey Accommodation and Transport
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Members of the Scientific Committee:
Members from SA Members from other
countries Name Country Prof. F. Viljoen Prof. A. Mogessie Austria Prof. J. Kramers Prof. Ch. Hauzenberger Austria Mr M. Knoper Prof. Ch Koeberl Austria Prof. C. Gauert Prof H. Fritz Austria Dr S. Master Prof R. Armstrong Australia Dr S. Verryn Dr/Prof M. Fernandez-Alonso Belgium Prof. L. Ashwal Dr D. Delvaux Belgium Prof. M. de Wit Prof. U. Cordani Brazil Dr Mike de Wit Prof A. Moore Botswana Dr. T. Davis Prof. F. Toteux Cameron Dr Ch. Hatton Dr A. Asrat Ethiopia Dr G. Grantham Dr M. Umer Ethiopia Dr J. Reinhardt Prof. G. Mulugeta Ethiopia Dr. M. Andreoli Prof. S. Tadesse Ethiopia Dr. A. Hofmann Prof. G Calas France Prof. J. De Villiers Dr. T. Aifa Algeria/France Dr D. Chetty Dr/Prof F. Guillocheau France Prof F. Thackeray Prof P. Bowden France Prof. R. Durrheim Prof J.F. Moyen France Prof H. Pinheiro Prof M.Meghraoui, Algeria/France Dr H. Sommer S. Gaines France Prof J.M. Huizanga Prof A. Kroner Germany Prof. C. Anhaeusser E. Nkhonjera Malawi Prof M. Coetze Prof. H. Chennaoui Morocco Prof B. Cairncross Prof. L. Vasconcelos Moçambique Dr K. Witthueser Dr G . Okunlola Nigeria Dr M de Kock Prof. D. Flores Portugal Prof. A. Smith Prof. J. Brilha Portugal Prof M. Tredoux Dr I. McKay
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Members of the Advisory Committee: Dr E. Nickless (Executive Secretary, Geological Society of London) Prof. J. Hess (Executive Director, Geological Society of America) Prof. A. Mogessie (Ethiopia/Austria, GSAf President) Prof. L. Vasconcelos (Mozambique, GSAf – VP- SA) Dr F. Pinard (GSAf Representative, CIFEG, France) Prof J-P Liegeois (GSAf Representative Belgium) Prof. M.S. Pinto (GSAf Representative, Portugal) Prof J. Dodson (GSAf Representative, Australia) Dr G. Schneider (Director, Geol Surv. Namibia) Dr. A. Ismail-Zadeh (Secretary-General, IUGG) Prof L. Woodfork (GSAf Representative, USA) Prof. A. Riccardi (President IUGS, Argentina) Prof M. de Wit (AEON – UCT, South Africa) Prof B. Cairncross (UJ, South Africa) Prof. N. Beukes (UJ, South Africa) Prof J. Touret (Netherland/France) Prof. A. Smit ((UJ, South Africa) Prof JP Cadet (CCGM, France) Dr L. Bitam (ORGM- Algeria) Prof J. Varet (BRGM, France) Prof S. Muhongo (Tanzania) Prof T. Molyneux (Ireland) Prof Ch. Koeberl (Austria) Dr G. Okunlola (Nigeria) Prof Y. Osanai (Japan) Prof M. Brown (USA) __________________________________________________________________________ Appendices: Appendix 1: Retrospective of CAG, Mouri et al. (2010). Appendix 2: Scientific Programme 2-1: Details of the scientific sessions 2-2: Summary of the plenary lecture by Prof Tobias (references not included) Appendix 3: Reports on Special Sessions Appendix 4: Reports on Workshops Appendix 5: Reports/Minutes of Business Meetings Appendix 6: Reports on Excursions Appendix 7: Keynote Addresses by:
- Dean of the Faculty of Science, UJ at the Welcoming Ceremony - Minister of Science and Technology at the Opening Ceremony - Chair of CAG23 at the Opening Ceremony - Support message from the President of the IUGS - President of the GSAf at the Opening Ceremony
Appendix 8: Some Comments from Delegates Appendix 9: Articles/Press Release/ Publications emanating from CAG23 Appendix 10: Reports on CAG21 and CAG22
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APPENDIX 1:
COLLOQUIA OF AFRICAN GEOLOGY – A RETROSPECTIVE OF CAG
Colloques sur la Géologie Africaine – Une Rétrospective de CGA The African continent is unique in many respects. In contrast to Europe, which was mobile throughout the Phanerozoic, Africa (excluding the Alpine Haut Atlas, the Hercynian Mauritanides, and Cape Coast fold belts) was a “craton” involved in several Pangeæ and their fragmentation, particularly Gondwana. During the past 46 years, major scientific contributions from Africa on a wide variety of subjects were first presented at one of the Colloquia of African Geology. These included: Archæan greenstone belts and granulite terrains; super continental collision and fragmentation; palæomagnetism, terrane accretion; continental rifting; Palæoproterozoic – Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic orogens; glaciations and the “Snowball earth”; anorogenic volcanism and plutonism (alkaline ring complexes, carbonatites, kimberlites), mantle studies (sub-continental lithospheric mantle, asthenophere), komatiites, Sturtian and Vendian palæontology, and hominid evolution. Professor W.Q. Kennedy convened the very first Colloquium of African Geology (CAG), assisted by Tom Clifford, at the University of Leeds during the Easter Vacation in March 1964. There was a pulse of excitement that electrified the assembled audience from Africa, Europe, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand, when Prof Kennedy announced his new concept of a “Pan-African thermo-tectonic event”. He had been involved with research teams at the Institute of African Geology, on a series of field trips collecting samples from various parts of Africa and having them dated using Rb-Sr techniques by Pat Hurley in the USA, Lucien Cahen at RMCA Tervuren and Maurice Roques in Clermont Ferrand. Two distinct age patterns started to appear: those around 2 000 Ma or older, and those bracketing the late Precambrian. Thus the idea of Africa being constructed from three 2 000 Ma stable cratons surrounded by 800 to 600 Ma mobile belts was first launched at the very first formal CAG. The Colloquia had their “gestation” earlier than 1964. In fact, meetings of geologists assembled to discuss “current research” were first conceived by the British, French and Portuguese governments as a means of constructing geological maps across national frontiers and assessing Africa’s economic potential. However those informal reunions were limited to Directors of Geological Surveys, Government Officials and selected Academics. Thus it was W.Q. Kennedy, with the help of Tom Clifford and Russell Black, who set the pattern for 26 years of African Colloquia being convened alternately at universities in the UK and continental Europe. There were 11 CAGs convened between 1965 and 1983: London (1965), Tervuren (1966), Sheffield (1967), Clermont-Ferrand (1969), Leicester (1971), Florence (1973), Leeds (1975), Göttingen (1977), Montpellier (1979), Milton Keynes (1981) and Tervuren (1983). Each of these colloquia had a particular theme often marked by the interests of the hosting university and their academic researchers. For example, Tervuren (1966 and 1983) were concerned by the interpretation of geochronological data and the Kibaran orogeny; Sheffield and Leicester by geochemistry and the relationship between volcanism and tectonic setting; Clermont-Ferrand by the Mauritanides, Pan-African orogeny and geophysics; Florence by the Ethiopian Highlands and Afar; Göttingen and Montpellier by the Damaran in SW Africa (Namibia), and Pan African in West Africa; and Milton Keynes by the Pan-African of NE Africa and the Mozambique belt.
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Thus, the academic and social interaction at CAGs led to fruitful collaborative projects throughout Africa for all participants. In fact, the Colloquia offered a unique opportunity both for European geologists working in isolation in different regions of Africa and for African research students at universities in Europe to meet and present their research in English and/or French before an audience including eminent scientists offering new approaches to resolving geological conflicts. This bilingual aspect was further developed at CAG13 held at the University of St Andrews in September 1985, with abstracts published in French and English by CIFEG in Paris. From this period, the number of persons attending the Colloquia rapidly increased, making it necessary to have parallel scientific sessions. Originally, in 1964, there were approximately 40 registrants, but CAG13 St Andrews welcomed 245 participants, CAG14 Berlin (1987) and CAG15 Nancy (1990) each attracted ~500 persons. It was then felt by regular Colloquium participants that as the next millennium approached, CAG should be convened regularly in Africa. The Geological Survey of Swaziland was the first to organise a highly successful CAG16 at Mbane in September 1993. But CAG17 had to wait until September 1997 when it took place with approximately 45 delegates as part of an International Conference on “Intraplate magmatism” held at the University of Zimbabwe. Fortunately, it was at this time that the Geological Society of Africa accepted full responsibility for organising future Colloquia with alternate venues between Africa and Europe and The Journal of African Earth Sciences (JAES) became the Official Scientific Journal of GSAf and CAG. Thus, CAG18 was convened in 2000 at Graz, Austria with selected papers published in JAES. JAES has continued to remain the principal venue for the publication of papers presented at CAG19 held in 2002 at El Jadida, Morocco; Orléans (CAG20) in 2004; CAG21 at Maputo Mozambique (2006); CAG22 in Tunisia (2008); and now CAG23 in South Africa during January 2011. We wish you a successful week of stimulating participation at CAG23 in Johannesburg. Hassina Mouri, Chair: CAG23 Organising Committee Secretary General, Geological Society of Africa Peter Bowden, Département de Géologie, Université Jean Monnet, 42023 Saint Etienne, France Convener: S1 Pan-African Orogeny; Alkaline ring-complexes in Africa Aberra Mogessie President: Geological Society of Africa Convener: S1 Memorial Tribute to Russell Black, African Geologist and Gifted Artist January 2011
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APPENDIX 2: SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME
2-1 Details of the scientific sessions Session Conveners (name/email) Session S1 (special): The Nature and Significance of the Pan-African Orogeny and the Relationships of Alkaline Ring Complexes to Orogenies Memorial Symposium in Honour of Prof R. Black Keynote speakers: 1) Prof B. Bonin, Université de Paris-Sud, Orsay, France, Title: A-Type Granites and Ring Complexes: A Review 2) Prof. M. Wendorff, University of Botswana, Syn-Rift and Syn-Orogenic Mélanges as Indicators of Pan-African Evolution in the Lufilian Belt, Central Africa
• P. Bowden: [email protected] • A. Mogessie: [email protected]
Session S2 (special): Palaeontology, Anthropology, Paleoclimatology and Human Evolution in Africa A tribute to Prof Phillip V. Tobias
• F. Thackeray: [email protected] • M. Umer: [email protected]
Session S3 (special): Geodynamic of Africa and Contiguous Parts of Gondwana A tribute to Prof T. Clifford, Wits, South Africa
S3.1 Archean to Paleoproterozoic Crustal Evolution and Continental Growth Keynote speakers: Profs Alfred Kröner/Stephen Foley (Mainz, Germany)
• S. Master: [email protected] • L. Ashwal: [email protected] U. Cordani: [email protected]
S3.2 Archaean Greenstone Belts, Surface Processes and Life
• A. Hofmann: [email protected] B. Cavalazzi: [email protected]
S3.3 TTG and Granitoids Keynote speakers: Profs. J. Clemens (South Africa)/JF. Moyen (France)
• J.F. Moyen: [email protected]
S3.4 Layered Mafic Intrusions and the Enduring Enigma of the Bushveld Complex Keynote speakers: 1) Prof T. Naldrett (UK), How Did the Bushveld Chromitites Form? A Proposed Solution With the Help of “Melts” 2) Prof A. Wilson (Wits, SA), Early Magma Emplacement Stages of the Bushveld Complex and Great Dyke
• C. Hatton: [email protected]
S3.5 Mesoproterozoic Orogenic Cycles, Pan-African Fold Belts in Africa and Contiguous Parts of Gondwana Keynote speakers: Monica Heilbron (Rio de Janeiro) Invited speaker: Prof Bernard Bingen (Norway)
• G. Grantham: [email protected] • G . Okunlola: [email protected] H. Fritz: [email protected]
S3.6 Metamorphism and Metamorphic Processes, Crustal Melting, and the Mobile Belts of Africa and Contiguous Parts of Gondwana Keynote speakers: Profs J. Touret (France)/G. Stevens (South Africa)
• J. Reinhardt: [email protected] • C. Hauzenberger: [email protected]
S3.7 African Meteorites and Impact Craters Keynote speakers: Profs H. Chennaoui (Casablanca), C. Koeberl
• C. Koeberl: [email protected] • H. Chennaoui:
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(Vienna) [email protected] Session S4 (special): Post-Gondwana Geodynamics of Africa A tribute to Prof K. Burke, Houston, USA •
S4.1 The East African Rift: Tectonics, Volcanism, Geophysics • G. Mulugeta, [email protected]
S4.2 Cenozoic Alkaline Provinces of Western and Southern Africa S4.3 Kimberlite Magmatism in Africa Keynote speakers: Dr H.A. Jelsma (South Africa)/Prof K. Regenauer-Lieb (Australia)
• F. Viljoen: [email protected] • H. Sommer: [email protected]
S4.4 The Kalahari Epeirogeny, Sedimentary Basins and Geomorphic Evolution Keynote speaker: Prof T. Blenkinsop (Australia)
• A. Moore: [email protected]
S4.5 Neotectonics: Intraplate Seismicity, Quaternary-Active Faults, Stress Fields Keynote speaker: Prof Damien Delvaux de Fenffe, Belgium Invited speaker: Prof Giulio Viola (Norway)
• M. Andreoli: [email protected] • R. Durrheim: [email protected] • D. Delvaux: [email protected]
S4.6 Seismotectonics and Seismic Hazards in Africa Keynote speaker: Dr Rui Pinho (GEM Foundation, Pavia), Global Earthquake Model: Hazard Global Components Status and Outlook Invited speakers: 1) Dr Atalay Ayele (University of Addis Ababa), Seismicity of the East African Rift System 2) Dr Ray Durhheim (Wits SA), AfricaArray Investigations of Active Deformation and Seismic and Volcanic Hazard
• M.Meghraoui, [email protected]
Session S5 (special): Basin Analysis, Stratigraphy and the Kaapvaal Craton A tribute to Prof N. Beukes, UJ, South Africa Keynote speaker: Prof David Evans, Yale University, USA
• M. de Kock: [email protected]
Session S6 (special): Africa Alive Corridors: Journeys through Africa’s Autobiography with Everyone a Stakeholder A memorial tribute in honour of Profs L. O. Nicolaysen and E. Plumstead
• M. de Wit : [email protected] • F. Toteu : [email protected] • J. Anderson: [email protected]
Session S7 (special): Medical Geology with Particular Reference to Africa Keynote speaker: Prof Jose Centeno, Washington DC, USA
• T. C. Davies: [email protected]
Session S8: (special) Earth Resources and Sustainable Development of Africa A tribute to Prof M.O. Oyawoye, Ibadan, Nigeria
S8.1 Mineral Resources: PGE-Cr-V, Gemstones, Diamond, Industrial Minerals, Building Materials and Small-Scale Mining Keynote speaker: Prof Ross Large, Univ. Tasmania, Australia
• C. Gauert: [email protected] • S. Tadess : [email protected]
S8.2 Energy Resources: Geothermal, Petroleum, Hydropower, Coal and Uranium Resources
• L. Vasconcelos: [email protected] • H. Pinheiro: [email protected] • D. Flores: [email protected]
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S8.3 Geohydrology: Groundwater Resources, Water Chemistry • K. Witthueser: [email protected]
Session S9: (special) The Congo Basin: Its Origin, Evolution and Resources Memorial Symposium in Honour of Profs. L. Cahen and H.A.B. Kampunzu Followed by a roundtable workshop
• Maarten de Wit: [email protected] • Mike de Wit: [email protected] • M. Fernandez-Alonso • Francois Guillocheau: [email protected]
Session S10: Environmental Geology and Geo-hazards •
S10.1 Natural Hazards vs. Man-made Hazards S10.2. Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in Africa?
• T.C. Davies: [email protected] • Ndubuisi Nwegbu: [email protected]
Session S11: Geophysics and Tectonophysics Keynote speaker: Dr S.J. Webb, Univ. Witwatersrand, Deep Gravity – Long Wavelengths and Measured Moho
• T. Aifa: [email protected]
Session S12: Geoheritage in Africa Keynote speakers: Profs José Brilha (Portugal) and Asrat Asfawossen (Ethiopia)
• A. Asfawossen: [email protected] • J. Brilha: [email protected]
Session S13: Recent Advances in Geochemistry and Isotope Geology
• J. Kramers: [email protected] • R. Armstrong: [email protected] • A. Kroner
Session S14: Recent Advances in Basic and Applied Mineralogy Keynote speakers: Profs J. De Villiers (South Africa) and G. Calas (France) Invited speaker: Prof Georges Ona-Nguema (Paris 6)
• D. Chetty: [email protected] • J. De Villiers: [email protected] • G. Calas: [email protected]
Session S15: YES – Africa Symposium • E. Nkhonjera: [email protected]
Session S16: Developing Geoscience Education in Africa: Integrating Schools, Tertiary Institutions and Informal Settings
• I. McKay: [email protected]
• S. Gaines & F. Toteu (UNESCO)
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2-2: Plenary Address to 23rd Colloquium of African Professor Emeritus Phillip V. Tobias FRS
Institute for Human Evolution, School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
The Past in the Future
In expressing my gratitude to the organisers of the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology and, in particular, the University of Johannesburg, and the Institute for Human Evolution, I propose in this address to look forward rather than backward. It is easy for a speaker in his eighties to look back and nostalgically recapitulate highlights – and lowlights – from his career and the fields in which he has operated. Rather than bore you with this kind of address, I shall look at fifteen or twenty problem areas, which the 20th century has bequeathed to the 21st and to forecast what may lie ahead. The discovery of ancient hominid (australopithecine) remains in the Republic of Chad supports a view that I have long propagated, namely that the spawning of humankind was a pan-African phenomenon. Problem: In years to come, as scientists and students explore north and west Africa, we may confidently expect that the pan-Africanism of human origins will be proved as a fact of the history of higher primate life. The geographical gradient of discoveries in Africa has gone from south to north, from South Africa to Tanzania to Kenya to Ethiopia, and from the Rift Valley westwards to Chad. Problem: An important problem for the scholars of the twenty-first century is to extend exploration northwards and westwards in the African continent. We need deposits of the right age with conditions for the preservation and fossilisation of bones; we need students in the various regions; and we need sufficient funds for exploration and excavation to be carried on. Such ventures will, I predict, be rewarded with discoveries that will confirm the former, nearly continent-wide, presence of an array of evolving hominids in their tropical and sub-tropical cradle-lands. Problems: Inextricably interwoven are the challenges of systematics and taxonomy, on one hand, and phylogeny reconstruction on the other. We confront several problems:- (α) A consensus must urgently be sought on what we understand by the terms hominoid, hominid, hominine, hominin.
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(β) The morphology and systematics of Peter Andrews’s STEM HOMINOIDS need to be carefully assayed and a measure of consensual agreement sought. (γ) Andrews’s INCIPIENT HOMINIDS (or HOMININES), namely Ouranopithecus macedoniensis/Graecopithecus freybergi from Macedonia and Samburupithecus kiptalami from Nachola and the Samburu Hills in northern Kenya, especially the hemi-maxilla with teeth, from the Namurungule Formation in the Samburu Hills, are the principal claimants to be on the lineage leading to Homo, just before or just after the separation from the Pan lineage. A concerted attempt should be made to re-examine these fossils, to determine their respective ages more precisely, to obtain further material from each of the regions concerned, and to compare their morphological features with those of the somewhat later, ostensibly hominid remains of Sahelanthropus from Chad, Orrorin from Kenya and Ardipithecus from Ethiopia. Problem: The factors determining, or related to, the emergence of some hominids from Africa as long as 2.0 my ago should be explored. This would need a new appraisal of the geomorphological and oceanographic conditions, especially in the vicinity of the “Levantine Corridor” and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which would help to throw light on the route or routes followed by the earliest emigrants from, and immigrants to, Africa. Furthermore, a careful analysis of the fauna and flora, both in North and North-east Africa, and in the “reception zones” of south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia, may lead to a better understanding of the circumstances under which some of the African populations moved out of Africa. Similarly, as this was the time of lithicultural industries, and especially of the Oldowan, diligent archaeological researches on both sides of the “divide” may throw light on what behavioural traits should be factored in to the exodus of some hominids from Africa at the end of the Pliocene.
Problem: Who – or of what species – were the earliest hominid emigrants? In this context we do have hominid skeletal remains from some of the sites concerned, such as Orce in Spain (scanty), Ubeidiya in Israel (scanty), Dmanisi in Georgia, and several sites in China and Indonesia. Some additional sites have yielded early stone tools, but not yet the bones of the people concerned, such as ‘Erq-el-Ahmar in Israel, Riwat in Pakistan, and Flores in Indonesia. It used to be thought that it was Homo erectus that first moved from Africa, but recent discoveries and evaluations suggest that it might have been Homo habilis (as Tobias and von Koenigswald, 1964, first proposed), or Homo rudolfensis (if this is in fact a separate species from H. habilis, which some have doubted e.g. Blumenschine et al., 2003).
Since the last decades of the 20th century, in the construction of phylogenies and classifications, the anatomical evaluation of fossils has been supplemented by genetic studies. There are two problems here.
Problem: At the general level, we need to find a system of classification which takes cognizance of both the morphological and the genetical evidence. To achieve this, we need a greater measure of mutual respect and interaction between the exponents of both sub-disciplines.
More specifically, we need to apply the tenets of such an agreed system to the hominids. It is not helpful, it does not bring us nearer to the biology of human diversity, to base the taxonomy one uses exclusively on morphology, without the importation of genetical insights. Similarly, a pure genetic taxonomy, would be sterile if it ignored the morphology of the creatures themselves.
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The genetical approach is predicated on the construction of a “molecular clock”. Until late in the 20th century the prevailing clock placed the dichotomy between apes and humans at between 5 and 7 million years ago. As the new century dawned Ulfur Arnason of Lund, Sweden found evidence to re-calibrate the molecular clock – which would now set the parting of the ways to 10.5-13 millions of years ago. Problem: An important task of the immediate future is the testing of Arnason’s proposed new calibration of the molecular clock, which has approximately doubled the duration of time since the last common ancestors dichotomized into one or more ape-lineages and a human-lineage. A further problem will be the exploration of the effect of the new calibration, if confirmed, on the interpretation of the STEM HOMINOIDS and the INCIPIENT HOMINIDS recognised by Andrews. The brain cases of the fossil skulls tell a remarkable tale of the enlargement and reorganisation of brains. Problems: What were the key factors in the enlargement of absolute – and relative – brain sizes during hominid evolution over the last 2.0 myr? What were the advantages of a larger brain in a body which does not seem to have shown a proportional enlargement, in either stature or mass? Elsewhere the author has listed some fourteen possible answers to the latter question, two or three of which he added to the suggestions of other investigators. Although many of these are not mutually exclusive, it is unlikely that they are all correct, whilst it is possible that they are all incorrect. Much more work needs to be carried out on this question. More data are required on absolute endocranial capacities: in effect, this means that more crania are needed from which estimates or measurements of endocranial capacity can be obtained. In addition, we need more estimates of body size, against which to assess relative brain size. Many excellent studies are available on the calculation of body size, whether mass or stature, most of them being based on individual bones. It would be valuable if the small but very slowly growing number of partial or virtually complete skeletons were used as bases for such calculations. Advantage should be taken of the presence of a number of different bones of the same skeleton, to obtain estimates of body size, not only as a series of estimates each of which is based on a single bone, but as an estimate based on a combination of several bones. Such a combined data set would be expected to permit more reliable calculations of the regression of bodily skeletal metrical results on total body size, than estimates based on a single bone. Problem: Crude as brain size (absolute and relative) may once have seemed to some investigators, such data have been analysed in the light of life-cycles, demographic patterns, metabolic constraints, problems of brain cooling such as Dean Falk (1992) has proposed, and many other factors. Such studies of context and cause in the dramatic changes in brain size that have occurred in the human lineage need to be continued and extended. Problem: We need an independent and dispassionate re-study of the surfaces of the endocasts of all of the early hominids to resolve, once and for all time, this burning issue as proposed by Ralph Holloway: Did brain enlargement precede cerebral reorganisation, or vice versa? Problem: It is an important justification for the continuing search for more crania of early hominids, not only to obtain more values of absolute capacity, but also to permit the sensitive reading of the more faithfully preserved surfaces of these approximations to “fossil brains”. In the last decades of the 20th century, I proposed that the emergence of spoken language occurred in Homo habilis, about the beginning of the Pleistocene or even the end of the
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Pliocene. It was my thinking and that of several colleagues that the more complex the culture associated with these early members of Homo, the more the transmission of such cultural traits would have required spoken language. Problem: If the emergence of spoken language was in any way correlated with cultural advances, with which cultural advances was the development of spoken language, however rudimentary, correlated? Problem: On what substrate did natural selection go to work to produce speech centres in the cerebral cortex? There are three prevailing possible answers, which may be summed up as: motor redeployment (from prior, non-linguistic motor activities, especially skilled, manipulative control mechanisms, Wilkins and Wakefield, 1995); sensory redeployment (Jerison, 1977, 1991); and linguistic ab initio (Eccles, 1989; Tobias, 1983, 1987, 1996). Testability is considered to be the hallmark of a good, rigorous hypothesis. It is a problem for investigators of the twenty-first century to convert these three notions into testable hypotheses – and to test them!
Problem: Molecular evolutionists require standardised methods and definitions, as do those who work at the level of bone and tooth morphology. Both groups need to recognise the validity of the other’s approach. Above all, a problem still awaiting resolution is to explore the possibility and to devise a strategy for the reconciling of the two approaches, their data and conclusions (Omoto and Tobias, 1998). Where differences are apparent, each group of scholars is in duty bound to revisit its premises and assumptions, to refashion its methodology and, above all, to strive assiduously for a synthesis.
Problems: The movements of hominids out of, and into, Africa deserve close attention. Light may be thrown on the ecological, ethological, chronological questions surrounding the ‘globalisation’ of the human family. For the species of Homo have proved to be singularly mobile and itinerant in the last two million years. A special problem that needs attention is to explore the ecological consequences of human egress from Africa. Two further foci are the clarification of the biological and cultural concomitants of the migrations: who were those first émigrés? – H. habilis? H. rudolfensis? H. ergaster? H. erectus? What cultural equipment accompanied them?
Problem: There is much talk of mankind departing from Africa. But all the evidence points to appreciable populations of humankind having remained in Africa, after the earliest exodus about 2.0 mya. For a considerable part, probably all, of the ensuing two million years, the presence of humanity in Africa is testified by the presence of millions of stone and bone implements, from Morocco and Algeria, to the Cape of Good Hope; and by the obviously much rarer human skeletal remains. Careful studies should be devoted to the surveying and evaluation of such remains, so that a picture may be built up of the diversification and further evolution of the major segment of humanity that did not move out of Africa. If the “Out of Africa” hypothesis for the origin of sapient humans across the Old World is correct, it is from among some demes of the remainers that the much later, even more sapientised humans would be expected to have arisen. These in turn, were to become the modern H. sapiens sapiens, some of whom departed from the northern parts of Africa for Eurasia. If that hypothesis is not correct – and many have questioned it – we are still required to confront the sapientisation of the African remainers. The remainers of Africa, over the period from 2 myr to the Upper Pleistocene, should be the objects of concerted morphological and cultural studies,
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Problem: Historians of palaeo-anthropology may find it a useful challenge to re-examine the hard facts of evolution and the hypotheses that have been generated to interpret and interlink those facts. It remains to determine which of the philosophies of science are most commonly used in the reconstruction of hominid phylogenies and in the reading of the fossil and archaeological records. Furthermore, the relationship of unpredictable events, such as extra-terrestrial impacts, to the history of life and to mass or regional extinctions, demands further study.
Problem: Perhaps some of those who read this may be tempted to re-appraise the relative contributions of selective, accidental and catastrophic factors in the history of life on earth. The problem was stressed by Julian Huxley, at least in respect of accidental factors, and by Gould and Eldredge, who warned against the fallacy of pan-selectionism!
Problem: The challenge to our thinking that is posed by the “Guided Panspermia” theory compels a reconsideration of the mathematics of life. Can selective, accidental and catastrophic factors – even without the importing of living forms from other planets – account for the amount of life change, including evolution, that we discern, if we consider the time available from the history and dating of the rocks on Earth? Hoyle and Wickramasinghe felt obliged to posit the seeding of life on our planet from extra-terrestrial sources – because they found that, on the mutational and selective processes alone, there would not have been enough time for all the wondrously varied forms of life on Earth to have arisen. What would happen to these calculations if non-selective forms of life-change were added to the equation?
This is a muezzin’s cry to some of the mathematically brilliant minds of the twenty-first century to devote themselves anew to the mathematics of life and evolution.
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APPENDIX 3: REPORTS ON SPECIAL SESSIONS
___________________________________ Report 3.1: Women in Geoscience @ CAG23 in co-operation with the Association of South African Women in Science and Engineering, by: Dian Wilcox (SAWIS), Marian Tredoux (UFS) and Stephanie Scheiber (Wits) A special session on Women in Geoscience and SET was held as part of the 2011 Colloquium of African Geology (CAG23). The session, which took place on the afternoon of 11 January 2011, was aimed at supporting women in geoscience, which remains one of the SET disciplines in which women are significantly under-represented. The afternoon programme was enjoyed by about 60 participants (42 registered participants, the team of five session organisers and a small contingent of additional participants). The programme for the afternoon comprised:
1. 2011 – Do we still Need to Defend a Woman's Career Path? – Diane Wilcox (SAWISE)
2. Being a Female in Industry – Nosi Mzamo (DeBeers) 3. Being a Female in Academia – Marian Tredoux (UFS) 4. Financing Projects in Academia – Rob Drennan (NRF) 5. Financing Projects in Industry – Neale Baartjes (EcoPartners)
In the presentation, Do We Still Need to Defend a Woman’s Career Path?, Dr Diane Wilcox (SAWISE) used data from the 2009 DST/NACI/SET4W report, Facing the Facts: Women’s Participation in SET, together with supplementary data from The American Geological Institute and the South African Council on Higher Education, to argue compellingly that there are still fundamental gender biases in both academia and industry which impede the career paths of professional women in geoscience and other areas in SET, such as the mathematical, computer and physical sciences and the engineering disciplines. Nosi Mzamo from DeBeers provided insight into the challenges facing women in industry, especially from the perspective of a single mother based on a male-dominated mine. Prof Marian Tredoux exposed milestones and hurdles facing an academic career in geoscience, with anecdotal evidence from her own career trajectory. The creation of awareness of career development issues is pivotal for the planning required by young entrants into the field. Rob Drennan of the NRF addressed how to raise funds with well-prepared research plans and proposals. Finally, Mr Neale Baartjes from EcoPartners provided insight into some of the logistics and pitfalls in the pursuit of raising capital in industry. The session confirmed that there is still a need for active intervention to raise the status of women in SET and to empower the next generation of women scientists and engineers. This session sponsored by DST.
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Report 3.2: Seismotectonics and Seismic Hazards in Africa. Convener: Prof M. Meghraoui (University of Strasburg, France) From: [email protected] Sent: 17 January 2011 06:22 Subject: RE: Seismotectonics and Seismic Hazards in Africa Dear Hassina, Here is a short report on the session S4.6 "Seismotectonics and Seismic Hazards in Africa" and the associated business meeting. Our activity in the frame of the CAG23 is two-fold: 1 - Organising a session on the seismotectonic characteristics of the African Plate to discuss the potential of large earthquake occurrence in Africa. 2 - Participating in the business meeting prepared by the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) and presenting the project on the Seismotectonic Map of Africa. The session S4.6 took place at CAG23 at the request of the OAGS after the annual meeting organised in Algiers (10-12 May 2010) by the Algerian Geological Survey (ANGCM – Agence Nationale de Géologie et du Contrôle Minier). Until 2010, the OAGS presidency was under the Council for Geosciences and its Chief Executive was Dr Thiebedi Ramontja. The session was made up of 18 contributions from research institutions, universities and earth science observatories in Africa, with added participation from Europeans. The presented topics induced lively talks and debates on the role of thematic mapping for better constraint of the seismic hazards and the mitigation of earthquake risks. The session that was held on 13 January 2011 commemorates one year to the day of the 12 January 2010 destructive and deadly Haiti earthquake (M 7,0). The session was sponsored by the organising committee of CAG23, the IASPEI (Int. Assoc. of Seismology and Physics of the Earth Interior), the UNESCO-Nairobi Office, the CGMW (Commission Geol. Map of the World) and significant support from the GEM (Global Earthquake Model) Foundation. The business meeting prepared by the OAGS was attended by numerous representatives of the geological surveys of African countries. After a welcoming address and a discussion on the administrative subjects of the organisation, the Chairman asked for an update on the project, Seismotectonics Map of Africa. The presentation included mainly a map of large and damaging earthquakes in the African continental domain and the subdivision of the continent in different seismotectonic provinces. The project includes a scientific working group and an administrative board in order to handle topics such as databank structure, funding, map printing and publications. The GEM Foundation, represented by its Secretary-General, proposed supporting the scientific workshops, helping with raising funds (and building a proposal for international institutions) and stressed the need of deadlines for scientific achievements. The CGMW and the NAGET (North African Group of Seismology) declared their full support for the project. Finally, all official representatives of the African geological surveys voted for approbation of the project. The participants interested in GEM-Africa attended a half-hour, specific discussion session on the seismic hazard and risk in Africa. Session Sponsored by: GEM (Global Earthquake Model foundation; International Association of Seismology and Physics of Earth Interior, UNESCO and IUGG). Prof. Mustapha MEGHRAOUI, Physicien – Earthquake Geologist, Université de Strasbourg, EOST-Institut de Physique du Globe (UMR 7516), France.
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Report 3.3: Medical Geology: Special Session and Business Meeting Special Session A scientific session (S7) on the subject of Medical Geology (in Africa) was held on 14 January 2011, in conjunction with the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology which ran from 8 to 14 January 2011 at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The objectives were to:
• Review developments in medical geology that had taken place in Africa in light of significant improvements in analytical techniques and the upsurge in research efforts;
• Show how medical geology can provide a stimulus for communication across the various scientific disciplines (public health, ecotoxicology, nutrition, epidemiology, etc.) needed to carry the discipline forward.
The session comprised 10 papers, wide-ranging in content, and included a plenary talk, Health and Earth – Medical Geology: Building a Safer Environment by Jose Centeno, Chair of the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA). The following topics, all of which addressed the present African geo-environmental situation, were encapsulated in the proceedings, capped by a live discussion session:
• The geochemical circulation of nutritional and toxic trace elements in the continuum: natural waters – soil – food crop – food chain;
• The impact of trace elements from mining and mineral processing on human health in Africa;
• Mechanisms of trace element toxicity; • Bioavailability of trace elements in various foods and water; • The fate of trace elements in geophagic materials; • Cancer, podoconiosis and trace elements; • Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and trace elements; • Selenium and HIV/AIDS diffusion in South Africa; • Geo-environmental epidemiology; • Analytical techniques in medical geology.
Two contributions exquisitely illustrated how the originally wide gap between geology and health has significantly narrowed: one from Portugal dealt with the effects that heavy metals from road dust in Oporto City have on health and related this to the African situation; whereas, the paper looked at improved reservoir integrity via carbonisation in CO2 sequestration.
Summary and Conclusions
1. The summary document produced at the end of the discussion session clearly articulated the fact that the African setting (lifestyle and living conditions) provides the most attractive opportunity for studying the influence that factors of the geochemical environment have on the distribution of diseases; and that the discipline therefore has a far greater likelihood of succeeding in Africa than in any other part of the world.
2. Although a number of successes have already been reported, the amount of effort (through strengthening research capacity, seminars, publications, funding, etc.) directed
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at addressing medical geology issues in Africa, measured in global terms, is still quite low.
3. It was also noted that although new analytical techniques have generally enhanced current understanding of the behaviour of trace elements in the geochemical cycle, chemical speciation, bioavailability and bioaccumulation, such techniques are not yet widely available or in routine usage in many African laboratories.
4. Consensus was reached that the creation of “Centres of Excellence” would be an obvious step in addressing the important issues raised, which also include capacity-building. The urgency of the problems dictates that African tertiary geosciences institutions should seriously contemplate the inclusion of Medical Geology in their Geoscience and Public Health curricula.
5. Finally, the remarkable role of medical geology in supporting the efforts of Africa’s public health community in improving diagnoses and therapy for a host of environmental diseases plaguing the continent, was once again brought to the fore.
Business Meeting A business meeting was held immediately after the session. The main resolutions made included the following:
1. New IMGA national chapters should be constituted in each country in Africa that can muster at least five active members for start-ups; the following individuals were nominated as interim convenors for the countries represented:
• Dr Greg Tanyileke – Cameroon • Dr Seifu Kebede – Ethiopia • Prof B.D.O. Odhiambo – Kenya • Prof U.A. Lar – Nigeria • Mr M.L. Diko – South Africa 2. Election of new officers for the African Association of Medical Geology (AAMEG)
would be conducted at a business meeting to be held in conjunction with the 4th International Conference on Medical Geology in Bari, Italy, from 20 to 25 September 2011.
This session is partly sponsored by UNESCO. T.C. Davies Chair: Session S7, CAG23, Thohoyandou, 4 April 2011
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Report 3.4: Young Earth Scientists Africa Symposium Elyvin Nkhonjera, YES Africa Chairperson, Malawi. What Is YES? The YES Network is an international association of early career earth scientists (primarily under the age of 35 years) from geoscience organizations, companies and institutions around the world. The YES Network was formed as a result of the International Year of Planet Earth in 2007 following the proclaiming of triennium International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) by UN General Assembly. YES Africa Symposium 2011 The symposium was held in collaboration with the 23rd Colloquium of Africa Geology (CAG-23) at the University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus in South Africa. The symposium was sponsored by UNESCO, Geological Society of Africa, CAG23 Local Organizing Committee, Geological Society of South Africa and YES Network. The Symposium focused on the topics on earth’s resources and sustainable development of Africa, Post Gondwana Geodynamics of Africa and Environmental Geology and Geohazards for oral presentations. There were also two roundtables that were organized; the topics were of Natural hazards in Africa and Professional Development Resources. The YES Africa Symposium was virtually broadcasted with the assistance from Leila Gonzales of the American Geological Institute.
YES delegates with Prof Mouri
Pre Event
The YES network members attended the CAG23 welcoming function that took place at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Auckland Park Campus on Sunday 9th January, 2011 and the CAG23 opening ceremony that took place at UJ-Soweto Campus on 10th January, 2011 where the Minister of Science and technology Ms Naledi Pandor was the guest of honour. In Her Speech she congratulated the Young people for organising the YES Africa Symposium. Opening Ceremony of YES The YES opening ceremony was chaired by the YES Africa Chairperson Elyvin Nkhonjera, and the main speakers were Prof. Aberra Mogessie, President of the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf), and Sarah Gaines from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Both main speakers sent positive messages of how important Young earth scientists are in the current economy as well in social development of the communities. The opening ceremony was attended by all YES Delegates that were available in Johannesburg during the event. There was also a good representation of the senior scientists. Amongst the Senior Scientists were Lopo Vasconcales from
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Mozambique, Edmund Nickless from British Geological Survey (BGS), Jack Hess from GSA, Dr. Okunlola from Nigeria, Prof Mulugeta from Ethiopia and many others. Oral Session “The Yes Africa symposium gave young people an opportunity to express themselves in ways that they may be limited in their countries. As the name symposium suggests young earth scientists with different disciplines and fields of study were able to deliberate on the future of earth sciences in our society and on how the image of earth sciences can be improved in our respective countries in Africa”, quoted from Abigail Mwailenge, a fourth year metallurgy student at University of Zambia School of Mines who also made her presentation. Round Table 1: Natural Hazards in Africa: Climate change, earthquakes, landslides, hydrological hazards, etc. This roundtable was organized by Cecilia Mukosi, a geologist at South Africa Council for Geosciences.The purpose of this this roundtable was to review current natural hazards that are occurring on the African continent, for example earthquakes (e.g. active East African rift), landslides, floods and drought etc. The main speakers of this roundtable were Diko M.L, a lecturer at the University of Limpopo, Hassan Mdala Geologist at the Geological Survey of Malawi and Cecilia Mukosi a Geologist at Council for Geoscience in South Africa. The discussion focused on the short term and long term goals of identifying natural hazards, risk assessment, risk mitigation and the role of the earth scientists, government and policy makers with regard to natural hazards. Round Table 2: The round table was organized by Monica Kalichini a Metallurgist in Zambia. The Purpose o f this roundtable was to explore the current programs and initiative that provide professional development resources for young and early-career geoscientists within Africa. The main speakers of this roundtable were Sarah Gaines, a Geologist from UNESCO, Monica Kalichini a Metallurgist in Zambia, Sibongi’ile Kayungu Phiri a student at the University of Zambia, Seifu Kebede, a Professor at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. Recommendations for round tables · Creating a working group that will focus on Geohazards in Africa: Each country have a representative, which is working in this field · Using different Outreach activities, to communicate with communities on geohazards · Improving environmental awareness to get youngsters interested in earth sciences · Selling the discipline of geosciences beyond the challenges Conclusion Indeed the YES Africa symposium was a dream comes true for YES network members in Africa and worldwide. Most of the goals that were set for this symposium were achieved. The recommendations that were made during the symposium will be carried on through development of different projects in Africa. Many thanks to UNESCO for sponsoring air ticket for 4 people who attended the symposium, GSAf for paying for registrations for 10 students, CAG23 for paying for Accommodation for 13 people, Registration for 4 people and air ticket for 1 person. We would also like to extend our thanks to Geological Society of South Africa, through Paul Nex for sponsoring the students night event together with CAG LOC. Last but not least, we would like to thank Prof Hassina Mouri for the continuous logistic support she rendered to YES Africa throughout the organizing process, Prof Aberra Mogessie, Prof Lopo Vasconcales, Dr Ogbeg Okunlola, Prof Mulugeta, and Dr Greg Tanyileke for a job well done on scientifically analyzing YES Africa abstracts and also being there during the presentations and criticizing the speakers as they were presenting. We would like to send a special thank you to Leila Gonzales for the great work she did in Vitalizing the YES Africa Symposium. We would also like to give special thanks to Prof Sospeter Muhongo who worked tirelessly with the YES LOC in fundraising of the event. Finally we would like to thank all members of the YES Africa LOC for a job well done on the whole process of organizing the symposium! Sponsors of YES session through CAG23: GSL and GSA
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APPENDIX 4: REPORTS ON WORKSHOPS Report 4-1) WS1: on Platreef workshop. Leader Prof Judith Kinnaird From: Judith Kinnaird [[email protected]] Sent: 31 January 2011 12:54 To: Mouri, Hassina Subject: RE: CAG23-workshops report Hassina I think we had 93 attendees at the Platreef Workshop. It was an international group with participants from UK, Canada, Japan, China and of course South Africa. We were particularly delighted to have a group from the University of the Western Cape with us - the first time on a Platreef Workshop The Workshop began at 6 pm on Friday evening in the Park Hotel Mokopane with the presentation of four papers on general aspects of the northern limb of the Bushveld and an overview of the Platreef. Sponsored drinks were followed by dinner. Saturday morning began at 7.30 with the departure for Mogalakwena Mine. The large group was divided into two and whilst one bus load went off to inspect cores through the Platreef, the other was taken on a tour of the open pits. The rain did not dampen our spirits nor the quality of the tour. At 10 am, the two groups changed places so that everyone had a chance to see the open pit operations. Thanks to Trust Muzondo and James Winch and team for such fantastic organisation. Saturday lunch was sponsored by Sable. This was followed by 5 papers presented before tea on a theme of 'New mineralogical data on the Platreef’ Session 3 after tea comprises five more papers on aspects of mining, exploration and economics of the Platreef. Drinks sponsored by CCIC was followed by a braai sponsored in part by MSA. All the participants intermingled over drinks and dinner as many were staying in the Park Hotel. This is where valuable ideas were discussed and debated. On Sunday morning, there was a choice of site visits. Half the group went to visit the platinum veins of the Waterberg led by Iain McDonald of the University of Cardiff and facilitated by Sean Meadon, while the other half opted to inspect contrasting cores from north and south of the Ysterberg Planknek Fault. Thanks to Thys Botha and team and Dave Broughton and Sello Kekana for laying out all the cores for the group. All returned for lunch at the Park Hotel and the final session of 3 lectures before tea at 3.30 and the long drive back to Johannesburg for many participants. Many emails of thanks suggest that the Workshop was enjoyed and appreciated by all. Judith Kinnaird, Professor of Economic Geology, Deputy Director of EGRI, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand
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Report 4-2) WS2: Analytical Techniques and South African Analytical Facilities. Leaders Dr Sabine Verryn and Jill Richards (MINSA). This workshop was aimed at presentation of state of the art analytical facilities in SA. There were 10 participants from SA and other African countries– who visited the OES Dating Lab, the Fluid inclusion Lab and the earth Lab at Wits and then at the Spectrau lab of the faculty of science of the University of Johannesburg. The workshop started at Wits at 9am and ended at Spectrau at 13:00. Participants were impressed by the facilities. ___________________________________________________________________________ Report 4-3) WS3: Geo-Education Sessions and Earth Science Education in Africa workshop Conveners: Ian McKay (Wits), Sarah Gaines (UNESCO Paris), Felix Toteu (UNSCO-Nairobi) Morning Session presentations: The morning session consisted of a series of presentations, beginning with two presentations by the organizers which lay the scene in terms of both the status and ongoing activities in earth science education in Africa and the developing world in general. 30min UNESCO Keynote: Earth Science Education in Africa (Gaines + Toteu) 30min IGEO Workshop report: Geo-education in the Developing world (McKay) 20min Geochemical Mapping of Nigeria (Lapworth, UK) 20min Training of Mapping Geologists (Zawada, RSA) 20min Teaching Mineralogy (Melgarejo, Spain) 20min Maths and Geoscience (Drennan, RSA) 20min LMD System in Algeria (Youcef, Algeria) Afternoon Session workshop discussions: The afternoon session consisted of a series of discussions focused around three main themes which have been chosen as the initial action items, officially launched at the CAG23, within UNESCO’s Earth Science Education Initiative. The goal of these discussions was to get concrete feedback and synergies to move these activities ahead. The discussions included the following:
1. Training in Geological Mapping
• Critical for wealth identification and generation • Modern mapping – must be digital (3d) • Post-grad (6weeks to one year) • Partnership with universities, geological surveys and mining private sector • Financial basis • Look at ‘nautilus’ model • Virtual training? (shrimp model) • Define basic competencies required (and assessed training record) • Role of attachments/internships • AMIRA supports collaborative industry sponsored research and training projects • Proposal exists from CGS/Peter Zawada as a starting point • inclusive steering committee to develop concept note (for industry) and develop business
proposal (Peter/CGS, Felix/UNESCO, Mark/IRD, Edmund/GSL, Jack/GSA, Ivy-YES, GSAf, OAGS, Odhiambo/Moi U, Cobus/Mining)
2. Building a Network of African Earth Science Institutions
• Following and within ANSTI model (www.ansti.org) focused on institutions • Include brief explanation of each institution (name, location, working webpage, brief
description, contacts) • Build on existing webpages/lists • Assist in organizing and funding sabbaticals and student opportunities • Include companies
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• Start-up funding? Mining? • Expert database (protect privacy) • Keep updated • Can organizations use for mailing list?
3. Early Education in the Earth Sciences.
• Ensure notion of earth science at early age
– formal • Augment primary curriculum • Change secondary curriculum
– informal: museums, geoparks, science centers, school competitions, encourage fossil/mineral collections, geology clubs, geo-hotels, earth science camps
• School: ages 5-13, 14-18 • Serves public, future teachers, future field-assistants, those who pursue higher education • Include earth science in teacher training curriculum • Natural science: teach ‘science’ in reference to the earth and earth resources • Develop appropriate locally relevant (language and geography) teaching materials
EarthWISE Report 4-4), WS4: A short overview on the results of the GIRAF-AEGOS-OneGeology workshop @ CAG23: Compiled by Dr. Kristine Asch
The workshop was attended by 30 participants and brought together the three complimentary developments in Africa.
GIRAF-AEGOS-OneGeology workshop Group Photo
The OneGeology workshop component began with an update on the strategic, scientific, technical and cultural aspects of the project. A lively discussion followed which focused on improving access to data services from African nations, the reasons why this was proving a problem, and how that may be tackled. The reasons and ideas put forward will be considered by OneGeology management and technical groups at their next meetings and we hope that discussion will generate action to see an increase in African participation and data services soon.
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The AEGOS workshop component covered both technical and capacity building components of the future spatial data infrastructure for georesources in Africa. This pan-African SDI will definitely strengthen the generation of added-value information through a network of data producers and data users concerned by the mineral resources, raw materials, groundwater and geothermal energy in Africa. Then, it involves metadata and data sets presently managed by African and also European institutions. In this context, one of the key issues is how to access and share these information assets while complying to both national policies throughout the continent and international principles (GEO-GEOSS). A fruitful discussion took place in the group, also considering the peculiarities of the colonial history in Africa. The participants were invited to follow up in Dakar, Senegal, during the forthcoming AEGOS phase 1 Final Conference (mid-April, 2011).”
The GIRAF workshop component offered an excellent opportunity for GIRAF members to present and discuss various geoscience information projects in Africa, to plan the 2nd GIRAF Workshop in December 2011 and for new members to sign up to the GIRAF network. The main results for GIRAF are listed below:
1. All participants were informed about details of the AEGOS and OneGeology projects. 2. The differences between the GIRAF network and the AEGOS project were made clear (AEGOS
and GIRAF: communalities and differences (PDF, 120 KB)) 3. The Commission for the Geological Map of the World expressed their interest to use the GIRAF
network to help creating a new Geological Map of Africa at a 1 : 5 million scale 4. The GIRAF 2011 workshop (www.GIRAF2011.org) was announced for December 2011 and the
CGI announced financial support 5. The possibility of short courses, e.g. on GeoSciML and/or mapping were discussed 6. The president of the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf), Prof. Aberra Mogessi expressed
interest for the GSAf to become an Associative Member of GIRAF 7. With pleasure it was noted that 11 new members signed up to the GIRAF network:
• Barnardo, D.J. - Council For Geoscience, RSA • Boniface, Nelson - Dar es Salaam Uni., Tanzania • Hartzer, Frik - Council For Geoscience, RSA • Brynard, H.J. - Council For Geoscience, RSA • Jessel, Mark - IRD, France • Wilson, Allan - University of Witwatersrand, RSA • Kandankula, V. - CRGM, R.D.Congo • Mogessi, Aberra - GSAf, Ethiopia/Austria • Mouri, Hassina - GSAf, RSA • Odhiambo, B.D. - Moi University Kenya, Kenya • Mukosi, Ndivhuwo Cecilia - Council Of Geosciences, Limpopo Unit, RSA, Yes Network
In summary this synergetic workshop presented an excellent opportunity to exchange information about the status of all 3 initiatives/projects, to investigate common goals, opportunities of cooperations and plan our further milestones and proceeding. Dr. Kristine Asch, Chair of the IUGS Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information (CGI), Unit Head "Geological Information Systems and Maps" BGR - Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Stilleweg 2, 30655 Hannover, Germany. Further information on the various projects presented at this workshop can be obtained at the following Websites: http://www.aegos-project.org/ http://www.bgr.bund.de/cln_169/nn_337364/GIRAF2009/EN/Home/giraf2009__inhalt.html?__nnn=true http://www.onegeology.org/
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Report 4-5), WS5: Geological Continental Scale Mapping in Africa, By Dr Philippe Rossi, President, Commission of the Geological Map of the world (CGMW) (France) The workshop consisted on the presentation of the most recent 1:5 M scale Tectonic Map of Africa (TMA), which is a result of a number of years of meetings and workshops mainly held in Africa and most of them were sponsored by UNESCO with the support of the Council for Geoscience and other organisations.
Thanks to CGMW and UNESCO grants, the following CGMW maps and booklets were distributed free of charge to participants of African universities: CGMW Tectonic map of Africa at 1:10 million scale and associated booklet “Faces of Africa”, the Geological Map of the World, the Stratigraphic chart and other productions. May I recall that a specific workshop was devoted to the project of the Sismotectonic Map of Africa under umbrella of CGMW, OAGS, CGS and UNESCO under coordination of Prof. Mustapha Meghraoui (see report 2-2) The presentation of the second edition of the Tectonic Map of Africa at 1:10 million scale during the plenary session and the following workshop were very successful. During the meeting after having presented the project to upgrade the CGMW Tectonic map of Africa at 1:10 million scale with petrographic, metamorphic and geodynamic information, the discussion reached to the project of launching of a second edition of the CGMW Geological Map of Africa at 1:5 million scale and this proposal was very appreciated. Participants endorsed that this project and the SADEC map are very different namely because the 1:5M scale map is more synthetic and based on stratigraphical boundaries rather than Formations. CGMW has to prepare a flyer of presentation and guidelines of the project to be distributed to every African country to ask for their effective participation. In order to start the realization of this project we discussed together about the possibility to look for a Post-Doc grant for an African student to work in cooperation with CGMW and the university of Johannesburg. I sincerely hope it will be possible and I’m very confident on the feasibility and high scientific interest of this map.
Delegates from the CGMW at the exhibition stand (Right: Dr Manuel Pubellier SG of CGMW).
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Report 4-6) WS6: Improving regional water management in Africa on the basis of geodetic water-cycle monitoring Umvoto Africa, in collaboration with Overstrand Municipality and Chief Directorate: National Geo-Spatial Information, organised a 3rd Workshop of a project on “Development and Application of Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) methodology for Groundwater Resource Assessment”, funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) presented during CAG23. Further details can be obtained from the leader: Andiswa Mlisa Director, Umvoto Africa (Pty) Ltd, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.umvoto.com Report 4-7) WS7: Definition of a Resource The workshop used a practical example to discuss how geologists define a resource. Attendees were asked to determine resource ounces from an example stratigraphic column of a tabular orebody and discuss the mining method most appropriate for a particular orebody. Following from this, attendees discussed what the valuation consequences are for their decisions to include or exclude waste material or adopt a particular mining method. This workshop provided attendees with an insight on how a techno-economic assessment of exploration results is performed, and is suitable for those interested in determining what the mining and financial implications are of exploration results. The workshop was presented by Venmyn, a company, which is well known for drawing up companies’ Resource and Reserve and Valuation Statements. Further details on the workshop can be obtained by contacting directly the leader of the workshop: Andy Clay ([email protected]).
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APPENDIX 5: REPORTS ON BUSINESS MEETINGS Report 5-1 Minutes of the OAGS meeting: 13 January 2011 1 Minutes of the informal business meeting of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) held in room 304 of the university of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa on the 13th of January 2011 (report provided Ch. Ashley, CGS, SA). 1. BACKGROUND This meeting was announced to all the African Geological Services from the October 2010 by invitations sent out by the Presidency (ANGCM-Algeria) and the Secretariat (CGS-South Africa) of the OAGS. It was decided to seize the opportunity of the presence of the Geological Surveys and other International Institutions present at the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology (CAG23) to consider the status of the activities of the continental Organisation, at the mid-point between two annual meetings. The assistance of the organising committee of CAG23, lead by Prof. H Mouri, Chair of CAG23-2011 and Secretary General of the Geological Society of Africa was invaluable in holding this meeting. On behalf of the organisation, the President and Secretariat of the OAGS extends its sincere thanks to Prof. Mouri and the organisations which supported her efforts in making this meeting possible. Her support included the provision of a suitable venue and equipment for the Business Meeting of the OAGS, the inclusion of information relating to the meeting in the official literature of the CAG23 conference and the provision of administrative assistance to the OAGS meeting facilitators. 2. WELCOME AND CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA The meeting was chaired by Mr. L Bitam, who opened the session by welcoming all delegates present. The chairperson introduced the proposed agenda. He indicated that the meeting will be held in two parts, the first of which will discuss and propose the adoption of the new OAGS Project on the ‘Seismotectonic Map of Africa’, advising that this discussion will be deferred until the arrival of Prof. M Meghraoui and Mr. V Midzi as the project coordinators. Mr. Bitam indicated that the second part of the meeting concerns the activities of the organisation, and requested that the meeting commence with the discussion of this section of the agenda. 3. PARTICIPATION Some fifty people were present, representing: (i) The OAGS: Presidency (ANGCM-Algeria), Secretariat (CGS-South Africa) and interpreter (CGS-South Africa); (ii) Eleven (11) African countries: South Africa, Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Libya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo; (iii) Twelve (12) institutions: EuroGeoSurveys-Brussels, UNESCO-Kenya Africa, Commission for the Geological Map of the World -Paris, IPG-Strasbourg-London BGS, BRGM Orleans Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg, AEGOS-project Orleans SEGAL-Lisbon, GEM-Foundation Italy, CRAAG-Algeria, USTHB-Algeria); (iv) Some European academics. PART 1: OAGS ACTIVITIES 4. THE OAGS IN 2011 4.1 The Next Meeting of the OAGS Mr. Bitam advised that following discussions at the OAGS meeting in Algeria on the 12th of May 2010, Dr. G Schneider had proposed that, pending approval from her principals, the 2011 Annual General Meeting MINUTES OF THE OAGS MEETING: 13 JANUARY 2011 2 (AGM) of the OAGS could be held in Namibia. He noted that to date no confirmation has been secured from Namibia in this respect and requested the inputs of the participants with regards to considering the offer from Mozambique to host the 2011 AGM in Maputo. The meeting discussed the proposal and it was agreed that if Namibia is unable to confirm the hosting of the 2011 AGM by the end of January
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2011, the offer from Mozambique will be accepted and that should Namibia’s offer to host the 2011 AGM prove successful, the hosting of the 2012 AGM would fall to Mozambique. It was agreed that the provisional date for the 2011 AGM would be within the month of August 2011 in order to accommodat seasonal and logistical factors. 4.2 OAGS Bulletin in 2011 A Bulletin on the Activities of the OAGS was published by Algeria in 2009 and Mr. Bitam advised the meeting that it had not been possible to produce a similar bulletin in 2010 owing to a lack of material. He noted that it is vitally important that a bulletin be produced in 2011 as the bulletin is an important means of communication. Mr. Bitam further advised that articles and information inputs are required from the member countries in order to achieve publication of the bulletin in 2011, noting that the first piece of information required is the minutes of the Organisation’s last meeting, which will be finalised by the Secretariat. He advised that the second part, should concern the projects of the Organisation, which are discussed in section 5.2 of these minutes. Mr. Bitam emphasised to the members present that it is important that this aspect of the bulletin be undertaken, noting that without projects and without a bulletin, the Organisation may just as well not exist. 5. VERIFICATION OF PROJECTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Mr. Bitam listed the projects of the OAGS as follows: 5.1 The Strategy of the OAGS Four countries, namely Algeria, Guinea, Niger and South Africa formed a Committee to develop a strategy for the OAGS. Mr. Bitam advised that a draft strategy has been prepared by South Africa and that no responses to the resolution to appoint a Committee to finalise the strategy have been received from the other project partners. He requested the input of the meeting participants regarding the possible reduction of the project leaders from four to two, namely South Africa and Algeria. It was proposed and agreed that the strategy document would be worked on by Algeria and South Africa and circulated to the member countries for their inputs. The final document will be synthesised before the 2011 AGM. 5.2 The Geo-Heritage Project Mr. Bitam indicated that Algeria is ready to publish a book on African Geosites and has not received any inputs from member countries. He requested the opinion of the members as to how Algeria should proceed. The Secretary indicated that some responses had been received from member countries and forwarded to Algeria and Kenya as co-leaders of the project. Nigeria requested that the request for inputs be re-circulated to the member countries with a timeline accorded for their response. Mr. Bitam agreed that the specifications for submissions will be re-circulated. 6. GENERAL MATTERS 6.1 AEGOS The meeting discussed the role of OAGS in AEGOS and it was explained by the President and the Secretariat that the 2009 AGM considered this question. They noted that it was agreed at that meeting that while AEGOS is not a project of the OAGS, for which proposal and adoption by the member countries at an AGM would be required, the organisation would give its support to the AEGOS initiative. Mr. Bitam requested that Mr. Urvois (Project Manager: BRGM-France) facilitate the preparation of an article on AEGOS for inclusion in the 2011 Bulletin. Mr. Urvois accepted this recommendation and further proposed that the OAGS: • Participate at the Final Conference of AEGOS Results for the first phase of this project (Dakar, Senegal, 19 April 2011); and • Take part in the second phase of the project. 6.2 Contributions to the OAGS Bulletin by other Organisations Mr. Ovadia, as a representative of the EuroGeosurveys-Brussels, requested guidance as to whether the
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OAGS would welcome inputs from organisations outside Africa on their work on the continent for publication in the OAGS Bulletin. Mr. Bitam agreed that these inputs would be welcome, noting that the EuroGeosurveys representative at a previous meeting had indicated that it would be possible for the EuroGeosurveys to facilitate funding of OAGS projects as long as they are well-defined. Mr. Ovadia agreed to follow up on this matter. Libya concurred that external inputs would be welcome and proposed that extraordinary meetings of the OAGS be held when necessary to avoid waiting for AGMs to discuss matters of importance. PART 2: OAGS NEW PROJECT 7. “THE SEISMOTECTONIC MAP OF AFRICA” 7.1 Background The decision to begin a new project was voted on during the meeting of May, 2010 in Algiers, after the day of presentations reserved for invited international authorities (CCGM-Paris, IPG-Strasbourg (French Institute of Geophysics-Strasbourg)), which highlighted the difficulties in making African projects succeed. It was then proposed that the OAGS re-assimilate into its programme the project of the "Seismotectonic Map of Africa", but by inaugurating a new approach in the management of the projects of the OAGS. This approach consists of relinquishing the notion of a ‘responsible country’ in exchange for the benefit gained by having a known and recognised project leader with the latitude to drive the project according to its objectives, if the OAGS is regularly informed about its progress and if the deadlines are respected. Hence, Prof. M Meghraoui of the Institute of the Physics of the Globe-Strasbourg, France, was tasked with leading this new project. 7.2 Presentation of the Technical Project Mr. Bitam invited Prof. M Meghraoui to present the project (copy of presentation attached) to the meeting. The following key points are noted: • Africa is subdivided into six (06) large seismotectonic provinces, each placed under the scientific responsibility of an expert seismologist – a work group comprising seismologists and tectonic experts, namely: Vunganai Midzi of South Africa; Atalay Ayele of Ethiopia; Bekoa Ateba of Cameroon; and Abdelhakim Ayadi of Algeria, were presented to the meeting; • Details were supplied on the technical characteristics, the work programme and the average scientific manpower that can be mobilised; • Concerning the financial resources, it was announced that several international institutions contacted for that purpose, have agreed to support this project. It should be noted that a statement was made by Mr. Jean Paul Cadet, Chairman of the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CCGM), which assures this project of all the assistance of his institution. The North African Group of Earthquake and Tsunami Studies (NAGET) represented by its President, Dr. Assia Harbi, and the Secretary General of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, Dr. Rui Pinho, additionally expressed their total support of the project. In addition, the representative o the GEM Foundation suggested that joint action with the OAGS together with the World Bank should facilitate financial support for the Seismotectonic Map project and its implications for seismic hazard and risk (which includes vulnerability) in Africa. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session by the meeting participants, following which the project was formally adopted by the meeting. 8. CLOSURE Prior to the conclusion of this business meeting, the Presidency and the Secretariat of the OAGS presented the following summary of resolutions: The Next Meeting of the OAGS • Secretariat to obtain confirmation from Namibia by the end of January 2011 on the hosting of the 2011 AGM; • Either the 2011 or 2012 AGM to be hosted by Mozambique depending on Namibia’s ability to host the 2011 AGM. Action: South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique OAGS Bulletin in 2011 • South Africa to finalise the minutes of the last meeting for inclusion in the 2011 Bulletin of the OAGS;
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• Member countries to contribute overviews on their activities in Africa to Algeria for inclusion in the 2011 Bulletin of the OAGS; • AEGOS to supply a contribution to the 2011 Bulletin of the OAGS; • Other geoscientific organisations wishing to participate in the production of the 2011 Bulletin of the OAGS to send contributions on their activities in Africa to Algeria for inclusion therein. Action: South Africa, All The Strategy of the OAGS • South Africa and Algeria to work towards the finalisation of a strategy for the OAGS and circulate their proposal to the member countries for their input; • Member countries to supply contributions prior to the deadline given for assimilation into the strategy document prior to the 2011 AGM; • Strategy of the OAGS to be formally adopted at the 2011 AGM. Action: South Africa, Algeria, All The Geo-Heritage Project • Algeria to circulate the specifications and deadlines for contributions to the member countries for finalisation of the publication of a book of African GeoSites; • Member countries to supply contributions to the specifications given for inclusion in the publication.Action: Algeria, All The Seismotectonic Map of Africa • Project progress to be presented at the 2011 AGM of the OAGS. Action: Algeria, South Africa The Chairperson, Mr. Bitam, thanked all members for their participation and advised that minutes of the meeting would be circulated to the participants by the Secretariat within the next two weeks. Meeting was adjourned at 16h35. Johannesburg, South Africa 24 January 2011
For the OAGS Presidency Lhacène BITAM
Agence Nationale de la Géologie et du Contrôle Minier Ministère de l’Energie et des Mines, Tour B
Val d’Hydra, Alger. For the OAGS Secretariat
Thibedi RAMONTJA Council for Geoscience, 280 Pretoria Road, Silverton
Pretoria, South Africa.
Report 5-2: Minutes of the GSAf General Assembly: 14January 2011 are available in the GSAf newsletter (Geological Society of Africa Newsletter #1 ) published on the GSAf website at: http://www.geologicalsocietyofafrica.org/news/newsletter/
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APPENDIX 6: REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS
Excursion 1: The Limpopo Mobile Belt of Southern Africa, Leaders: Prof Jan-Marten Huizenga (UNW) and Prof Van Rineen (UJ). The classic Limpopo Mobile Belt high-grade terrain has been studied for the last 25 years in great detail by many researchers. The Department of Geology at the University of Johannesburg has always been the frontrunner in this research. During this excursion classic outcrops in the Southern marginal Zone of the Limpopo belt, including high and low temperature shear zones, type localities for mafic and metapelitic granulites, high-temperature metasomatised granitic rocks, charnockites, etc were visited. Dates: 15 to 19th of January 2011 Number of Participants: 12 Excursion 2: The Eastern part Bushveld Igneous Complex, Leader: Prof Chris Gauert. (University of the Free State) During this excursion the following sites were examined: -The basal contact of the Bushveld Complex -A traverse through part of the Lower Zone into the lower Critical Zone with LG and MG chromitites on the farm Jagdlust. - A traverse from the UG 1 to UG2 on Maandagshoek - An underground mine visit - A surface visit to the Merenky reef - A traverse through the MG chromitites south of the Steelpoort Fault to contrast with those north of the Steelpoort Fault - A visit to the Dwars River geological heritage site to look at bifurcating chromitite layers - A short traverse to look at discordant ultramafic pipes, - A stop to look at layering in the Main Zone. Dates: 15 to 19 January 2011. Number of Participants: 10 Excursion 3: The Barberton granitoid-greenstone terrain and Ancient Gneiss Complex in South Africa and Swaziland, Leaders: Prof Axel Hofmann (UJ) and Prof Alfred Kröner (Germany) The Barberton granitoid-greenstone terrain and Ancient Gneiss Complex in South Africa and Swaziland represent classic Archaean geological sites in which to study the nature and processes of early Earth history. Many issues pertaining to Archaean geology, such as crust-forming processes, geodynamics, Archaean atmosphere and seawater composition and the origin of life, have been or are extensively studied in these terrains. The excursion route for this trip covered prime exposures where the aforementioned main issues were be examined. Dates: 15 to 19th of January 2011. Number of Participants: 18 Excursion 4: Pilanesberg Alkaline Complex, Leader Prof Grant Cawthorn (University of the Witwatersrand) The rocks of the Pilanesberg Alkaline Complex lie inside a national park. Localities to be visited were limited to roadside occurrences for safety reasons.
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Day 1: Visit geological localities in Pilanesberg showing assorted types of syenite and foyaite and volcanic succession. Overnight in local hotel in Rustenburg. Day 2: Game drive through Pilanesberg until lunchtime. Return to Johannesburg for the conference ice breaker. Dates: 8 to 9 January 2011. Number of Participants: 6 Excursion 5: Johannesburg Geological Museum, Leader by Prof Bruce Cairncross (UJ) This one-day excursion took place in the middle of the conference (12/01/2011) as a break from the scientific sessions. This one day excursion attracted 5 delegates. Excursion 6: Meso- to NeoArchean granite Greenstone Terrain of the Johannesburg Dome, Leader: Prof Carl Anhaeusser (University of the Witwatersrand) This was a mid-conference one day excursion. It was designed to show the various Archaean granitoid rocks on the Johannesburg Dome as well as some of the older greenstone remnants preserved in places. The granitoid rocks, which include c. 3340 Ma trondhjemitic gneisses and migmatites, c. 3200 Ma tonalitic gneisses, and c. 3120 – 3000 Ma granodiorites and pegmatites, intrude the greenstone remnants. These remnants, in turn, consist of serpentinized mafic and ultramafic complexes (dunite, pyroxenite, gabbro) and extrusive volcanic successions comprising pillowed and massive komatiitic basalt with komatiite interlayers. Processes involving granite-greenstone assimilation and hybridization were demonstrated and aspects of the structural history of the Dome were shown. Dates: 12th of January 2011. Number of Participants: 5 Excursion 7: Vredefort Dome - part of a meteorite impact site, Leaders: Prof Marthie Coetzee, Prof Marain Tredoux, and Mr Cobus Jansen van Rensburg. This excursion was the most popular during CAG23 with 26 participants. The Vredefort Dome forms the inner part of the larger Vredefort meteorite impact structure. The impact structure is currently seen as the oldest and largest impact structure of its kind on Earth. Several outcrops showing different impact structures, such as the shattercones, pseuodtachylite, impact melt – the basic granophyre, and overturned and faulted rocks in the rim as well as the core of the Dome were visited. Special Thanks to the University of North West for sponsoring a barbecue for the delegates. Date: 12th January 2011. Number of participants: 26 Excursion 8: the Mponeng Gold Mine: Special Thank to AngloGold-Ashanti who has given their support (financial and on site visit) for a one day mine visit to the West Wits area, Mponeng Gold Mine. Date of the visit: 12/01/2011. Number of Participants: 12
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APPENDIX 7: KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
7-1) Welcoming Address delivered by Prof Kinta Burger, Dean Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Sunday, 09/01/2011, Sanlam Auditorium, APK, UJ.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen “Together in Africa for a leading role in Geosciences” – a very suitable theme for a conference of this nature at this stage in the history of the University of Johannesburg, the history of Johannesburg, South Africa and the continent. “Togetherness”, ladies and gentlemen, represents the common interest of all participants in the richness of the geological treasures in Africa, and a shared commitment to preserve these treasures. It also represents a shared goal to build human capital in Geosciences in Africa. “Togetherness” represents the collective energy, synergy and collaborations that will follow from a meeting of so many great minds from so many countries across the globe. And, it is most fitting that this is now held for the very first time in South Africa in the year following another great event, namely the FIFA world cup. It is indeed a great honour and privilege for the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to host CAG 23 in partnership with the Geological Society of Africa. In this regard I wish to acknowledge the presence of the President of the Society, Professor Mogessie. I also wish to acknowledge in particular the other institutions involved in the organization of CAG 23, namely the University of Witwatersrand, the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa; the Geological Society of South Africa and the Mineralogical Association of South Africa.
It is appropriate that Johannesburg is the first city to host CAG on South African soil. As you know, Johannesburg and its surrounding areas are known for its geo-heritage and in particular for the cradle of human kind. In this regard it pleases me to acknowledge the presence of one of the world's leading authorities on the evolution of humankind, Professor Philip Tobias. However, the richness of Johannesburg should not only be measured in terms of its gold and its geo-heritage. Johannesburg is also the most vibrant, dynamic city in South Africa. Rich in terms of its diversity of cultures, it truly represents our rainbow nation and is in many instances the example of a unified nation. My sincere wish is that our many international visitors will also have the opportunity during this next week to experience the vibrancy of our city. Coming back to my earlier statement that the theme of CAG is appropriate at this stage in the history of the University of Johannesburg…
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“Together” means collective effort and commitment, a shared vision. It also implies the Gestalt principle that "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. The University of Johannesburg, I proudly state, is a shining example of all the above. In just a few years UJ has emerged through a complex post-apartheid merger process to become a dynamic new-generation university. We are the result of a merger between three institutions – totally diverse in historical background. The three founding institutions of UJ are the Technikon Witwatersrand, the Rand Afrikaans University and two campuses of the Vista University – one in Soweto and one in the Eastern part of Johannesburg. The Technikon Witwatersrand’s history is closely linked to the gold mining industry. In the early 1900’s, after the Anglo Boer war, the expansion of gold mining created a need for skilled labour to ensure Johannesburg’s continued growth. It was therefore decided to transfer the Kimberley School of Mines to Johannesburg, which later became the Transvaal University College with branches in Johannesburg and Pretoria. In 1930 the Pretoria branch became the University of Pretoria, and the Johannesburg branch became the University of Witwatersrand in 1922. And, in essence, what remained of the original part of the Transvaal University College became the Technikon Witwatersrand in 1979 whose mandate was to offer quality career and technology oriented education. On the other hand, the Rand Afrikaans University was founded in 1967 due to the combined efforts of a group of prominent Afrikaners to establish a university that could provide excellence in teaching and research to the White Afrikaner youth of Johannesburg. The third legacy institution, Vista University, came in to existence in the early 1980’s. Vista was created as a multiple campus institution with many of the campuses in remote areas of SA in order to provide a gateway into higher education for Black South Africans. Thus, three institutions, hugely different in history, political context and educational aim, came together when UJ was formed in 2005. And the result is a successful merger which mirrors the new South Africa. Today, UJ is one of the largest residential universities in Southern Africa with over 48 000 students spread over four campuses. UJ offers the full spectrum of programmes - ranging from vocational diplomas to PhD’s. Our research output has increased with 42% from 2006, following some major investment and initiatives to enhance our research profile. Geology, as one of the core research niches in the University was one of the key investment areas with the result that Geology at UJ is today one of the strongest Geology Departments in Africa, with a huge postgraduate student component and word class research infrastructure and equipment. We belief that UJ, as a socially engaged university with a progressive outlook, and its excellent location, has a major role to play in the future of its host city, South Africa, the continent and the international arena – especially with regard to key areas as the Geosciences. We are therefore extremely pleased and privileged to host CAG23 and to play a role in this way of promoting Geosciences in Africa.
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We sincerely wish that this conference will entice many more students to enter and continue with studies in the Geosciences. There are of course various good reasons why youngsters should consider Geology as an option for study. As someone with the name of Kathy Steele said about her reasons for studying Geology, "I went into Geology because I like being outdoors, and because everybody in Geology seemed, well, they all seemed like free spirits or renegades or something. You know, climbing mountains and hiking deserts and stuff." Looking at the programme of CAG 23, I think Ms Steele would have been happy. Apart from the normal wide range of conference contributions, the programme also includes workshops presented by academic leaders in their fields, as well as excursions, which I’m sure, will include some hiking and climbing mountains. To me this comprehensive programme (including the social programme) is summarized by the following quote from a Stephen Gould: "No Geologist worth anything is permanently bound to a desk or laboratory. Creative work, in Geology and anywhere else, is interaction and synthesis of half-baked ideas from a bar room, rocks in the field, chains of thoughts from lonely walks, numbers squeezed from rocks in a laboratory”. To our plenary speakers, Professors Hawkesworth, Tobias, Rossi, Toteu, Jackson, Woodfork, and Centeno; and also to the keynote and invited speakers: On behalf of UJ, we would like to extent a special word of welcome to you. Your participation contributes immensely to the high profile of this event. On behalf of the Faculty of Science and the University of Johannesburg I wish to thank all our sponsors for their valuable contributions. I also wish to thank and congratulate everyone involved in organizing this great event and in particular Professor Hassina Mouri. Professor Mouri, your commitment, enthusiasm, and energy throughout this process were inspiring, to say the least. You brought everyone together in your vision of “Together in Africa for a leading role in Geosciences”. Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of UJ, I welcome you to CAG 23. May it be a wonderful experience. Prof IC Burger, Executive Dean: Faculty of Science, UJ Sunday 09/01/2011
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7-2) Opening address delivered by H. E. Minister of Science and Technology Mrs Naledi Pandor
Date: 10/01/2011 Source: The Department of Science and Technology Title: SA: Pandor: Address by the Minister of Science and Technology, at the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology, Soweto
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rensburg; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Parekh; Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Burger; Your Excellencies, ambassadors and high commissioners; Leaders of business; Students; Distinguished guests; Ladies and gentlemen;
Let me start by thanking you for inviting me to deliver the opening address at this 23rd Colloquium of African Geology. I’d like to take the opportunity to extend a warm South African welcome to our guests from other African countries and different regions of the world. I’d also like to congratulate the South African bid committee for successfully campaigning to host this Colloquium. In the same breath, let me acknowledge the University of Johannesburg for agreeing to host this prestigious event, as well as the collaborative efforts of the University of Witwatersrand, the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, the Geological Society of South Africa and the Mineralogical Association of South Africa. Since the launch of the Colloquium of African Geology in 1964, there have been 22 Colloquiums of African Geology, 17 of which have been held in Europe, and only 5 in Africa, specifically in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Mozambique and Tunisia. No major event in geosciences has taken place in South Africa since the 15th International Geological Congress in 1929, which makes the hosting of the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology in South Africa particularly special. This Colloquium presents us with a unique opportunity to showcase our country’s geoheritage to Africa and the rest of the world. It will also give impetus to our preparatory work in anticipation of hosting the 35th International Geological Congress in 2016. Having said this, allow me a moment to reflect on South Africa’s long and fascinating geological history, dating back about 3,7 billion years. The foundation upon which the geological formations of South Africa developed is the Kaapvaal Craton, which largely comprises Archaean gneisses and granitoids, as well as greenstone belts, the best known of which is the Barberton greenstone belt, from which more than 10 million ounces of gold have been mined. Then there is the Bushveld Igneous Complex, which is the world’s largest known layered
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intrusion, known for platinum group metals, chromium and vanadium-bearing titanium-iron ore formations, and large deposits of industrial minerals, including fluorspar and andalusite. The premier diamond pipe near Pretoria is the oldest productive diamond-bearing kimberlite in South Africa, and it yielded the world’s largest gem diamond. The vast Karoo basin, covering about two thirds of South Africa, hosts the fluviodeltaic sediments and coals of the Ecca Group, and also preserves a unique, almost complete 80-million-year record of land-living vertebrates. These coal horizons are actively exploited, and provide the main source of energy for South Africa. However, the most fascinating feature of South Africa’s geological history is perhaps the unique examples of early life on earth. 2009 marked a year in which our rich heritage of Fossils was strengthened by the discovery of ‘Astrolopithricus’ Sediba South Africa’s geological history is equally rich and diverse. Of course, this rich mineral endowment is not confined to South Africa, but spans the entire African continent. Geoscience plays a critical role in the growth and development of our mineral resources, and can therefore be considered a strategic science, in so far as it addresses the development needs of our country and continent. The theme of the Colloquium, “Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geosciences”, is therefore very apt. I hope that one of the outcomes of the colloquim will be a framework for collaboration in a range of areas including teaching and post –grad development. South Africa is currently bidding to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). If we succeed in bringing the SKA to Africa, it will place Africa at the centre of global scientific advancement in the areas of physics, astronomy and high tech engineering. Our rich geological resources also give us the potential to develop as a geology research hub. I hope that, as African scientists, policy makers and students, you believe, as I do, that Africa must work harder at expanding its investment in knowledge generation and innovation. It has become very clear that we need to strengthen our Science and Technology achievements if we are to have sustained growth in Africa. This new focus must be more on our strengths including our rich geological diversity. One of the strategic initiatives of my Department is the “Framework for Mining and Geosciences Research and Development in Africa”. It serves as a guide for South Africa, and Africa, to capitalise and maximise the opportunities that exist within the entire mineral chain, including exploration, mining, processing, value addition, fabrication, new uses and rehabilitation. To realise the strategic objectives of this Framework and develop a greater appreciation for the geosciences, it is imperative that we vigorously promote geosciences education in Africa, and highlight their importance in addressing our national development goals. South Africa is also a founding member of the Group of Earth Observations (GEO) and has been involved as a co-chair since its inception.
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GEO is coordinating efforts to build and construct a Global Earth Observation System of Systems or GEOSS for monitoring, predicting, and responding to hazards at local, national, regional, and global levels. At the GEO Ministerial Summit in Beijing last year, my Department showcased pictures captured by the South African microsatellite SumbandilaSat, as well as the Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, the South African Earth Observation Portal, and the Earth Observation Data Centre. Stronger links between the Colloquium of African Geology and GEOSS would be of value to both. By increasing and improving the public’s awareness and knowledge of geology, we will be in a better position to expand our current human capital and skills base in this sector. We must deliberately intensify our efforts to attract more young people and women into the geosciences, specifically to pursue careers in exciting fields such as engineering geology, geohazards, geochemistry, geophysics, marine geology, medical geology, paleontology and, of course, research and teaching. I’m impressed with the foresight you have shown in dedicating a session to "Women in Geosciences", and holding a full symposium focusing on young earth scientists. Let me assure you that I eagerly await the report on the outcomes of your deliberations on these two critical areas. In closing, I reaffirm the Department of Science and Technology’s commitment to providing a conducive climate for our scientists and researchers to continue finding innovative solutions to problems that plague our country, continent and world. Thank you. Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter
Address published on: http://www.polity.org.za/article/date-10012011-source-the-department-of-science-and-technology
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Address by Prof Hassina Mouri (Chair CAG23, Secretary General Geological Society of Africa) at the CAG23 opening ceremony at the Soweto Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa (Jan. 10, 2011) Your Excellency, Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor, Prof Rensburg, Vice-Chancellor, UJ, Prof Parekh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UJ Prof Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Science, UJ Prof Mogessie, President of the Geological Society of Africa, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentleman, Dear Friends and Colleagues, Good evening and welcome to the opening ceremony of CAG23. We are gathering here this evening early in the year 2011 under the theme Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geosciences and for many of you whom we did not manage to greet last night at the Welcoming Function organised at the Auckland Park Campus of the University of Johannesburg, let me wish you all a very Happy New Year. First of all, let me take this opportunity to thank H.E. Mrs Naledi Pandor for her availability to meet us recently in order to discuss the objectives of the conference and for accepting our invitation without hesitation. Thank you Your Excellency – we are indeed grateful for your interest in the event and for your support. I would like to thank all of you for your presence here tonight and for your participation in the event. It is indeed a great opportunity to meet all together for the first time in South Africa: a land of continual geo-discoveries, a real natural laboratory on earth. I would also to take this opportunity to thank all the national and international organisations that contributed to the sponsorship of this event. Without all the scientific contributions and the very generous financial support we received, we would not be able to make this event a successful one.
I am indeed pleased to affirm again that South Africa and the University of Johannesburg have the privilege of hosting one of the largest meetings on African Geology, with no less than 500 delegates representing 58 countries in the world on our campus for the next few days to take part in this prestigious event. This is a true reflection of the great interest that geoscientists from all over the world are showing in research and development in geosciences in Africa and in the geology of South Africa. The objective of our gathering this week at UJ under the theme “Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geosciences” is to present and discuss the advances and unsolved problems in geoscience topics that are related directly or indirectly to the African continent. Through CAG23 we aim to:
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• enhance our understanding of earth sciences on the African continent; • enhance the training and development of young African earth scientists, in order to produce
the expertise needed to enable the continent’s wealth of resources to be developed for African benefit; with the main goal being contribution to the improvement of life on the African continent,
• create better and stronger cooperation and networking among scientists across international and national boundaries,
• promote South African geo-heritage, infrastructure and research development in geosciences, with a goal of establishing a national centre of excellence in geosciences that will serve the rest of the African continent and all researchers worldwide who have an interest in African geology.
In conclusion: On behalf of the Organising Committee and the Geological Society of Africa, I would like to take this opportunity to thank H.E., the Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Mrs Pandor for her presence with us at this special occasion and for her support of this event. I also would like to thank H.E. for her encouragement in organising a special session dedicated to women in science, in order to highlight the important role that female geoscientists also play in this field. Before I hand over to Prof Cairncross, I would like to read a message of support I received from Prof Alberto Riccardi, President of the IUGS, who could not be present with us at this opening ceremony: [Reading Message] Thank you.
Photograph taken at the opening ceremony of CAG23. From Left to right: Prof Rensburg, Vice-Chancellor UJ, Prof Parekh Deputy VC-UJ, Prof Cairncross HOD-Geology, Prof Burger Dean Faculty of Science, Prof Mouri Chair CAG23, H.E. Mrs Pandor Minister of Science and Technology.
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Message from the President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) [Read by Hassina Mouri at the opening ceremony 10/01/2011 Soweto Campus]
On behalf of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) representing the international geological community, I wish to thank the government and the geological community of South Africa represented by the University of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand, the Mineralogical Society of South Africa and the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, for hosting this conference.
Important issues to be considered in this meeting, such as Earth Resources and Sustainable Development of Africa, Energy Resources, Geohydrology, Environmental Geology and Geohazards, geoheritage, and geoscience education, among others, are within the goal of IUGS to apply geological studies to use all natural resources wisely, to preserve Earth’ s natural environment, and improve human well being. Thus, several commissions and task groups of the International Union of Geological Sciences are involved in geological education training and technology transfer, management and application of geoscience information, geoscience in environmental management, and standards in geosciences. An initiative of utmost interest to participants in this meeting is UNESCO’s Earth Sciences Education Initiative on Africa. The initiative, currently being supported by the International Union of Geological Sciences, is aiming to promote research projects, exchange of scientists and development of centres of Excellence, with the participation of several IUGS affiliated organizations such as the Geological Society of Africa, the Commission for the Geological Map of the World, the International Centre for Training and Exchanges in the Geosciences (CIFEG), and the African Association of Women in Geosciences (AAWG). To conclude this message, I wish to stress the need to promote education, capacity building and transference and sharing of scientific knowledge. They will help to reduce the gap between developed and developing countries, and, therefore, to have a more prosperous and equalitarian society worldwide.
On behalf of the International Union of Geological Sciences I wish all participants a successful meeting, in the hope that the results of the "23 Colloquium of African Geology" (CAG23) will be an important contribution to the above mentioned goals. Signed Alberto C. Riccardi President IUGS
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Address by Prof. A. Mogessie (President of the Geological Society of Africa) at the CAG23 opening ceremony at the Soweto Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa (Jan.10, 2011) Excellency, Minster of Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa, Excellency the Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg Prof. Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg Prof. Hassina Mouri, Chair of the Colloquium of African Geology (CAG23) and Secretary General of the Geological Society of Africa, Members of the Local and international organising committee, Distinguished guests and colleagues, It is an honour for me, the GSAf Council and for the members of the Geological Society of Africa and its supporters, that your excellency the Minister of Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa have taken your precious time to come to open the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology officially The Geological Society of Africa (GSAf), was established in 1973 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The one who took the intiatiive was the late Prof. Russell Black, at the time Prof. of Geology and Chairman of the Department of Geology, Haile Sellassie I University (now, Addis Ababa University) in cooperation with Prof. oyawoye of Nigeria who became the first President of our Society (For both prominent African Geologists Symposiums are organised at this Colloquium). It was a time where active geological research was going on in the Afar section of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Those engaged in this research and also were involved in teaching programs of the Geology Department were prominent scientists such as the late Prof. R. M. Schakelton from Britain, Aron Tazieff and his student Jack Varet from France, Barberi and Marinelli from Italy, just to mention a few. The Society has achieved a lot through the years by taking initiatives 1. To promote earth science education and research in Africa; 2. To provide a forum for discussion and dissemination of information in African geology and earth resources; 3. To promote the development and sustainable management of the continent's earth resources and to advance its socio-economic development; as well as 4. To improve natural hazards assessment and disaster mitigation. In order to achieve these objectives the GSAf operates through a dedicated group of elected council members consisting of a President, five Vice Presidents and Councillors for each of the five regions of Africa, in addition to the Secretary General, Membership Secretary, Treasurer and Information Manager. The most important activity is related to the preparation of the bi-annual Colloquium of African Geology. This week we have the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology (CAG23) organized by the University of Johannesburg under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa with an important theme “Together in Africa for a leading role in geoscience”. Apart from preparation of the Colloquium several activities have been undertaken during the last two years since the new GSAf Council was elected. I will summerize the most important ones:
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1. UNESCO-IUGS initiative on Earth Science Education in Africa (contributing and participating at 5 workshops in Assuit Egypt, Dakar, Senegal, Cape Town, South Africa, Luanda, Angola, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo) and discussions on the establishment of Excellence regional centers for research in Africa (This topic will be handled at the this Colloquium) 2. AEGOS (African-European Georesources Observation System)- as a member of the Steering Committee 3. Young Earth Scientists Network Africa (working with the group and editing submitted abstracts and giving some financial support for the registration fee of 10 YES participants to attend this Colloquium) 4. IYPE/PEI – The GSAf was very much involved in the establishing of IYPE National Committees in the African continent, the legacy of which is for example the establishment of the Young Earth Scientists Network. The IYPE , which deals with outreach programs will be replaced by the Planet Earth Institute (PEI) and the GSAf will play a significant role in the establishment of the PEI-Africa when a final decision will be made at the IUGS Executive Committee meeting next February at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris 5. Seismotectonic Map of Africa – GSAf representatives (experts in the field) from all five regions of Africa have been working with the group and they will present their new map at this Colloquium and it is published on the front page of the abstract volume of this Colloquium 6. UNECA – GSAf – Discussion is going on with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to pay the subscription fee of the Journal of African Earth Sciences, (which is the official Journal of the Geological Society of Africa) for 49 African Universities with Geology Departments which do not have access to this scientific journal. 7. Appointment of Goodwill Ambassadors: in order to internationalize and expand our network we assigned prominent scientists from different countries and continents to be our Goodwill Ambassadors: These are (Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, France, Hungary, The Chech Republic, Great Britain, Portugal, Italy and the U.S.A.) – some are at the CAG23 (woodfork from the U.S.A., Pinto from Portugal, Dodson from Australia, and Cordani from Brazil) 8. The appointment of African Earth Scientists in the Diaspora as our Goodwill Ambassadors will start soon 9. Associated Membership of the Geological Society of America (GSA): Thanks to Prof. Jack Hess, Executive Director of the Geological Society of America, and our Goodwill Ambassador for the USA, Prof. Larry Woodfork, our society has become associated member of the GSA in February 2010; contact has been made with the Association of American Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and discussion has been conducted at the International Mineralogical Association (IMA2010) meeting last August in Budapest, Hungary with the President and Executive Committee members of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG), among them Prof. Judith Kinnard from The Witwatersrand University, South Africa. 10. Supporting African International Geoscience (IGCP) projects e.g. Kimberlite field Conference in Tanzania (September 2010) led by Prof.Ch. Hauzenberger of the University of Graz, Environmental Geology/medical geology research proposal by Prof. Theo Davies, University of Venda, South Africa – this work of encouraging more IGCP projects in Africa will be strengthened in the future in cooperation with Prof. Felix Toteou (former GSAf President, now UNESCO Earth Science specialist in Nairobi, Kenya and Misses Sarah Gaines, Earth Science Education Specialist, UNESCO Paris (both present at this Colloquium).
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11. Cooperation with the Association of African Women Geoscientists (AAWG) on the first conference of the Africa Geoparks Network (AGN) which will be held in November 2011 in Morroco. 12. Publication of GSAf Regional Bulletins (Thanks goes mainly to Prof. Lopo Vasconcelos of Mozambique, VP of GSAf Southern African Region,) – not only for the excellent monthly Bulletin but also the important contribution he has made in the organization of the CAG23 as Vice President of the Geological Society of Africa, Southern African Region. Newsletter of the Geollogicall Sociiety of Afriica (GSAf) – Nr.. 1; January 2011.. 17. Excellency, distinguished delegates and colleagues. This decade is a decade of African Geology. We started this week, January 2011 with this Colloquium (CAG23) at the University of Johannesburg. This will be followed by a major international Conference (IMA2014), at the Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg which will attract more than 1500 delegates from all over the world. In 2016 will be the International Geological Congress, that will be organised by the Council of Earth Sciences, in Cape Town, South Africa. This will attract several thausand earth scientists from all corners of the world. This is a great opportunity for developing Earth Science Education and research in Africa and engage the youth to be involved in exploring and exploiting the resources of the continent and take care of the environment for a sustainable development. The Geological Society of Africa will try to do its best to be a partner in these and other initiatives for years to come. Finally I thank you your excellency again and would also like to congratulate the Chair of the Colloquium Prof. Hassina MOURI and the Local organising Committee, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg Prof. Burger for their excellent work in putting together such an exciting scientific as well as social Program. In my name and the name of the Geological Society of Africa Council and its members, I thank you. Prof A. Mogessie President, GSAf [http://www.geologicalsocietyofafrica.org/news/newsletter/]
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APPENDIX 8: SOME COMMENTS FROM DELEGATES From: Prof Rensburg, Ihron (Vice-Chancellor, University of Johannesburg) Hi Hassina, May I again convey my congratulations – you have done us all proud! From: Prof Burger, Kinta (Dean: Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg) Dear Hassina, colleagues I would like to echo Hassina’s appreciation to each and every one who contributed to the great success of CAG. The glowing feedback received from the delegates indicates the huge positive impact of CAG in promoting Geology@UJ, the Faculty, UJ and SA. In particular, appreciation and congratulations to you, Hassina, for attending to every little detail. Your vision and enthusiasm provided the direction and energy throughout the whole process. __________________________________________________________________________________ From: Prof Cairncross, Bruce (Head of Department Geology, University of Johannesburg) Dear Hassina, Once again, congratulations on a very successful CAG! I have heard nothing but compliments! __________________________________________________________________________________ From: Dr Paul Nex [President of Geological Society of South Africa] Hi Hassina, Congratulations on an excellent and enjoyable conference. __________________________________________________________________________________ From: Prof Jose Centino [President of the International Medical Geology Association, plenary speaker] Dear Hassina: It has been a great pleasure and a real honour meeting you and all the staff at the University of Johannesburg! I would like to join the hundreds of participants in congratulating you for one (if not the ONE!) of the most successful CAG conferences! Your dedication, hard work and remarkable hospitality were the trademark of this remarkable conference. I personally would like to take this opportunity to express to you my utmost gratitude for allowing me to be part of this extraordinary event and I do hope that my contribution to the conference programme was up to your standards and expectations. On behalf of the International Medical Geology Association, I would like to thank you for allowing us to present and promote medical geology within this selected group of geoscientists. I sincerely hope that we can continue working together towards the creation of the International Institute of Excellence on Medical Geology in South Africa. At IMGA, we are all here to assist you and our South African colleagues and friends in elevating medical geology research and education in South Africa and Africa and to bring together our collective talents and efforts to resolve environmental and health issues affecting the African population. Again, thank you so much for the privilege of getting to know you and for the opportunity of contributing to the 23rd CAG conference. I look forward to a lasting friendship and many productive and exciting collaborations on medical geology in future. __________________________________________________________________________________
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From: Prof van Reenen, Dirk [UJ-Geology] Dear Hassina. You played the major role in organising a highly successful conference. I was happy to participate. ______________________________________________________________________________ From:Dr Bitam Lhacen [President of the African Geological Surveys - Algeria] Hassina, bonjour ! De retour au bled, je m’empresse de t’écrire pour te féliciter de l’organisation du CAG23. C’était très bien. D’autant que les Sud’Af avaient un total respect pour toi. Encore bravo. Translation: Now that I am back home, I wish to congratulate you on the organisation of CAG23. It was great. And furthermore, SA had a total respect for you. Once more – bravo. ______________________________________________________________________________ From: Dr Ovadia, David C. [Director, British Geological Survey] Dear Hassina Just to say thanks to you and your colleagues for organising an excellent conference. I know how much work goes on behind the scenes. __________________________________________________________________________________ From: Prof Jean-Paul Cadet [Former President of the Geological Map of the World Association] Bonjour Hassina, Merci de votre mot aimable auquel je réponds avec retard car je voulais recueillir le maximum d'avis sur le CAG et votre rôle. Eh bien: félicitations : une vraie réussite ! Tous mes interlocuteurs ont été unanimes pour reconnaître que le CAG, avait été un vrais succès. L'organisation, excellente, et surtout le contenu scientifique ont été salués et je dois dire pour ma part que j'ai été impressionné par le livre de résumés, digne des meilleures réunions scientifiques. Votre rôle aussi a été très positivement apprécié: j’ai retenu que vous aviez été remarquable de compétence et d'efficacité, de gentillesse et d'attention, mais aussi de modestie associée à un sens de l'humour très délicat, bref que vous étiez très professionnelle. Bravo donc: je suis content que vos efforts soient reconnus et récompensés, sans oublier les retombées positives pour la géologie africaine. Translation: Thank you for your kind email, which I answer with delay because I wanted to gather the best opinion on CAG and your role. And… congratulations: a true success! All my colleagues acknowledged unanimously that CAG, had been a real success. The excellent organisation, and especially the scientific content, was praised and I must say that I was impressed by the amount of abstracts – worthy of the best scientific meetings. Your role also was truly appreciated: You must be of remarkable competence and effectiveness, kindness and attention, but also modesty associated with a very delicate sense of humour, in brief: you were very professional. Bravo again! I am very happy that your efforts have been recognised and rewarded, without forgetting the positive repercussions for African geology. ______________________________________________________________________________
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From: Dr Edmund Nickless [Executive Secretary, Geol Soc of London] Dear Hassina Congratulations on a most exceptional and very successful Colloquium. _________________________________________________________________________________ From: Dr Philippe Rossi [President of the Commission of the Geological Map of the World] Bonjour Hassina, Je voudrais vous remercier pour votre accueil au CAG23 à Johannesburg et pour vous féliciter pour la qualité et la convivialité de l’organisation. Mes collègues et moi-même considérons que cette réunion a été un grand succès, ce sera un modèle pour les CAG à venir. Translation: Hello Hassina, I would like to thank you for your hospitality at CAG23 in Johannesburg and to congratulate you for the quality and conviviality of the organisation. My colleagues and I consider this meeting to have been a great success: it will be a model for the CAG to come. __________________________________________________________________________________ From: Prof M. Meghraoui (Seismotectonics and Seismic Hazards in Africa: France) What a “Congress”! this is more than a “Colloquium”! I did not know that Dr Hassina Mouri had so much potential!. Thank you so much Hassina and congratulations to the LOC. __________________________________________________________________________________ From: Prof Larry Woodfork [Former President IYPE- USA] Dear Hassina, I am very sorry that I wasn't able to thank you again in person on Saturday for all that you have done on my behalf to make it possible for me to participate in CAG23. It was a great meeting, thanks to your organisational and management skills. My hat's off to you!!!!!!! You are, indeed, a rising bright star in the African geoscience community. ______________________________________________________________________________ From: Elronah Schaap (Smit) [Inkaba yeAfrica office] Hassina - This is a long overdue 'congratulations' for a job WELL done. It was definitely a very successful, impressive high-level conference, where I witnessed the enthusiasm of delegates networking. It's obvious and unbelievable just how much support you/CAG23 had from UJ. It was clear that this conference was the main focus amongst the well-briefed group of UJ members assisting you/the whole event. (You're welcome to share my observations with the UJ/CAG23 team, and even your higher authorities at UJ). We had SO much interest in Inkaba due to our presence at CAG23 – with quite a number of potential Inkaba students that might just surface. The variety of questions that I alone handled were quite intriguing. It actually made me realise which additional posters should be produced as supporting material. E.g. a map of all SA universities and where Inkaba's research is actually taking place (Very much like the Africa Alive Corridors map on AEON's flyer). The second poster idea triggered was one on all the Inkabas that graduated whilst being part of the programme, i.e. our 'success stories' - with pics etc., especially now that we have our second-generation students supervised by successful Inkaba PhDs. The catering was perfect: tea/coffee breaks beautifully set up, assistants very professional etc. etc., and I liked the lunch bag ideas: easy and low in manpower and of course, the finances.
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This event surely bought a lot of mileage for UJ. ______________________________________________________________________________ From: Dr Asch, Kristine [Chair of the IUGS Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information (CGI) Dear Hassina, Thank you and your team again for this excellently organised CAG 23 meeting! Thank you also for making it possible that we could have the OneGeology - AEGOS - GIRAF workshop on Wednesday last week. I hope you can relax a little meanwhile and are feeling happy about what you and your colleagues achieved during that inspiring week! _____________________________________________________________________________ From: chennaoui hassna [[email protected]] Dear Dr Mouri, I would like to express you all my gratitude for the financial support to attempt the CAG 23. I also want to congratulate you for the perfect scientific and logistic organisation of this meeting, it has been a successfull one. For the first time in the CAG history, we could organise a session on "Meteorites and impact craters in Africa", this session was very interesting, keynote talks and oral presentations was of a very high level. Again, thank you so much and congratulations for your professional organisation. Prof Hasnaa Chennaoui, Hassan II University Casablanca, Faculty of Sciences - Department of Earth Sciences, Morocco. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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APPENDIX 9: ARTICLES/PRESS RELEASE/OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(Published in Geobulletin, South Africa, March 2011)
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Geoscientists to scrutinize Africa’s geological history
For the first time in South Africa, the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology (CAG23) will take place from 8 – 14 January 2011 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). No less than 400 geoscientists from African, European, American, Australian and Asian countries will reflect on the challenges, threats, obstacles, advances and opportunities in different aspects of geosciences, earth science, research and education in Africa and around the world at 16 scientific sessions and workshops. The CAG23 opening ceremony will take place at the UJ’s Soweto Campus. The South Africa Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor will deliver the opening address at this special occasion. All the scientific sessions, short courses, workshops and exhibitions will take place on the University’s Auckland Park Kingsway Campus. “The conference enhances the understanding of the mitigation of a large range of natural hazards that affect society. CAG23 has evolved over the last 47 years and became the foremost African geology forum, internationally. It also plays a crucial role in stimulating scientific collaboration and networking within African countries and the rest of the world,” says Dr Hassina Mouri, a senior lecturer and researcher at the UJ’s Department of Geology. CAG23, hosted by UJ in cooperation with the University of Witwatersrand, the Geological Society of South Africa, the Mineralogical Association of South Africa and the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa, aims to develop research and education related to the earth sciences in Africa. For more information: www.cag23.co.za
ends
Note to the journalist/news editor/producer
Dr Mouri is available for interviews on request. She can be contacted on 011 559 5706,
0820948079 or via email [email protected]
Herman Esterhuizen
Coordinator: Media Relations Division of Institutional Advancement University of Johannesburg Tel: +27 11 559-6653 Cell: + 27 72 129 0777 Email: [email protected]
Media release
Monday, 03 January 2011
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Article published by the University of Johannesburg 14/04/2011 © UJ http://www.uj.ac.za/en/newsroom/news/pages/re-gearsciencetotacklemedicalgeology.aspx re-gear science to tackle medical geology Science will have to be re-geared to meet global challenges, and this would require exploring emerging disciplines within the Geosciences spectrum, said Prof Hassina Mouri, Associate Professor and researcher at the UJ’s Department of Geology. This was the message at the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology (CAG23) held at UJ in January 2011. This was the first time the conference was held in South Africa and was one of the largest events on African Geology since CAG was launched in 1964.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, highlighted the importance of geoscience during the opening ceremony of the conference. “Geoscience plays a critical role in the growth and development of our mineral resources, and can therefore be considered a strategic science,. It addresses the development needs of our country and continent. The theme of the Colloquium, ‘Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geoscience’, is therefore very appropriate,” said Ms Pandor.
Prof Mouri stressed that the Medical and the Geological Sciences were completely independent from each other. “The challenges within Geosciences are scientific. The African continent is well-heeled with natural and mineral resources; however the poor infrastructure, lack of geologic analytical facilities, the lack of funding for students pursuing careers in Geosciences, and the lack of networking among African countries needs to be address. Geoscientists must unite efforts to relieve the African continent from poverty, health issues, natural disasters and other challenges that the continent is facing,” said Prof Mouri.
“We, as geoscientists, have the responsibility to try and come up with solutions to challenges. Geoscientists should bring the benefits of the resources to the people of Africa. Well-managed resources, exploring alternative ways to safeguard resources and capacity building can all contribute to the development of the African continent,” said Prof Mouri.
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Article Issued by: Department of Science and Technology 10 Jan 2011
Minister Pandor to address the opening ceremony of the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology at Soweto Campus of University of Johannesburg (UJ)
http://www.info.gov.za/speech/DynamicAction?pageid=461&sid=15561&tid=26545
The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor will this evening, Monday, 10 January 2011 at 19h00 address the opening ceremony of the 23rd Colloquium of African Geology (CAG) at the Soweto Campus of the University of Johannesburg.
The Colloquium is a biennial international meeting organised under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf). It is the largest international geological event that focuses on African geology. Launched in 1965, the event attracts hundreds of delegates worldwide. The theme of the colloquium is “Together in Africa for a Leading Role in Geosciences”. Members of the Media are invited to attend.
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Article published in the Faculty of Science Newsletter, June 2011 http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/science/Pages/default.aspx
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April 2011 http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/science/Pages/default.aspx
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UJ Advance- News May211
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A PERSONAL REFLEXION FROM A KEYNOTE SPEAKER : PROF JACQUES TOURET (SPONSORED BY THE FRENCH EMBASSY IN SOUTH AFRICA)
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CAG 23, Johannesburg 2011 : Quelques réflexions sur un congrès réussi
Jacques Touret, Musée de Minéralogie, Mines-ParisTech (Ecole des Mines), 60, Bvd Saint Michel, 75006 Paris
Le 23ème Congrès de Géologie Africaine (CAG23), qui s’est tenu dans les locaux de
l’Université de Johannesbourg du 8 au 14 Janvier 2011, marquera un étape importante dans l’histoire des rencontres qui, tous les deux ans, font le point des connaissances sur un continent qui a vu naître l’humanité et qui, aujourd’hui, contient une bonne partie des ressources naturelles de notre planète. Remarquablement organisé par une équipe dynamique conduite de main de maître par Dr Hassina Mouri, de l’Université de Johannesbourg, ce fut un congrès de dimension véritablement internationale, rassemblant plus de 500 participants (à peu de choses près le double du précédent congrès), venus de près de 60 nations. Six conférences plénières, 26 conférences invitées, toutes données par des experts reconnus, plus de 300 communications « normales », une centaine de « posters » ont donné à cette manifestation un niveau comparable à celui des meilleurs congrès européens ou américains. La présence française était très visible au niveau des conférences invitées et des cours spécialisés (Short course) tenus avant et après le colloque. Sur les 7 cours initialement prévus, seuls deux, tous les deux donnés par des spécialistes français, ont rassemblé suffisamment de candidats pour pouvoir être délivrés : le cours sur les inclusions fluides (J. Touret & J.M. Hiuzenga), donné avant le congrès à des participants venus, non seulement d’Afrique du Sud, mais aussi du Japon, Inde, Iran ou Europe (Grande Bretagne, Pays Bas) et le cours post-congrès, traitant des gisements uranifères ( M. Cuney ). Ce dernier cours, très suivi (près de vingt participants), témoigne du renouveau que, après une longue période de stagnation et de déclin, connaît la prospection minière en Afrique: le monde doit se préparer à « l’après-pétrole » et, quels que soient les espoirs suscités par les énergies renouvelables, la découverte de nouvelles ressources minières apparaît comme une nécessité incontournable.
Le programme du Congrès était très riche, avec des sessions parallèles qui, souvent, faisaient regretter à tout participant de ne pas avoir le don d’ubiquité pour assister simultanément à plusieurs conférences, toutes aussi intéressantes les unes que les autres. Fort heureusement, l’organisation du Congrès était très concentrée, avec des salles de conférence, d’accueil ou d’exposition très proches les unes des autres. Au total, une perte de temps minimale, et la possibilité de multiples contacts entre tous les participants. La plupart des communications étaient regroupées dans des symposium thématiques, souvent dédiés à des personnalités ayant profondément marqué la géologie africaine : les Professeurs Cahen et Kampuzu pour le Bassin du Congo, R.Black pour l’Orogène Pan-Africain, N. Beukes pour la craton du Cap (Kaapval craton), etc. Je mentionnerai particulièrement le colloque sur l’Anthropologie et l’Evolution humaine dédié au Professeur Tobias, le grand homme de l’Anthropologie humaine en Afrique du Sud. En dépit de son grand âge, le Professeur Tobias était présent au Congrès, la conférence plénière qu’il a tenue devant un auditoire comble fut un grand moment d’émotion. D’ autres symposium reprenaient les thêmes qui ont rendu célèbre l’Afrique du Sud dans le monde géologique: Evolution crustale de l’Archéen au Protérozoïque, Magmatisme kimberlitique, Intrusions rubanées (Bushveld) etc. Comme il fallait s’y attendre, une attention particulière a été portée à l’ancient continent de Gondwana, avec pas moins de trois symposium consacrés à l’étude d’une région qui, combinant Afrique, Antarctique, Indes–
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Madagascar, Amérique du Sud et Australie, joue un rôle-clé pour la compréhension de l’hémisphère Sud de notre planète.
Les thêmes mentionnés ci-dessus, relevant directement de la géologie de l’Afrique, s’inscrivent dans la continuité des précédents CAG. Mais le présent congrès a eu également une dimension plus politique, avec l’intérêt marqué accordé par les autorités gouvernementales de l’Afrique du Sud, notamment la Ministre des Science et Technologie. Son discours lors de la séance officielle d’ouverture au Campus de Soweto alla bien au delà des messages polis qui sont délivrés en général en ces sortes de circonstances. Il s’est fait l’écho des problèmes et surtout des aspirations d’un continent en plein devenir: comment préserver son héritage culturel, favoriser l’enseignement, avec les problèmes causés par la « soif de connaître » d’une jeunesse se précipitant en masse dans les universités, donner aux femmes la place qu’elles méritent dans la science, gérer au mieux l’exploitation des ressources naturelles, maitriser l’influence de l’homme sur son milieu. Quelques grands problèmes qui sont déjà ceux du monde d’aujourd’hui, et qui risquent de devenir cruciaux dans le monde de demain. L’augmentation irréversible des populations, l’extinction programmée de bon nombre de ressources naturelles, l’évolution prévisible des climats, posent des problèmes environnementaux que les géologues, mieux que quiconque, sont à même d’apprécier et, dans la mesure où on leur en donnera les moyens, de maitriser. Tous ces thêmes ont été débattu pendant le Congrès, avec notamment l’émergence d’une nouvelle discipline, la Géologie Médicale. L’Afrique du Sud tient une place importante dans cette nouvelle discipline, qui prendra sans nul doute un grand développement dans un futur proche.
D’une façon générale, les présentations étaient de qualité, tant en ce qui concerne les communications orales que les affiches (posters). INTERNET fait des miracles, et tout le monde, même dans les universités les plus reculées, maitrise aujourd’hui les subtilités des fondus enchaînés dans les présentations PowerPoint. Le seul décalage vient des pays qui, pour des raisons politiques ou économiques, n’ont que peu de contacts avec l’extérieur. Peut-être ce décalage a-t-il joué un rôle dans l’âpre bataille qui, a marqué le choix de la prochaine édition, voyant finalement la victoire de l’ Ethiopie sur l’Algérie. Mais cette bataille a aussi souligné l’intérêt porté par toutes les délégations africaines à un congrès qui, avec CAG 23, a pris rang parmi les grandes manifestations de ce type à l’échelle mondiale.
Jacques Touret
Fevrier 2011
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Scientific Article by Jacques Touret (keynote speaker) and Jan Marten Huizenga.
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APPENDIX 10: Technical Reports CAG21 AND CAG22 -----------------------------------
CAG21 Hammamet – November 4 to 6th, 2008
Presented by Prof Med H. Inoubli, University Tunis El Manar.
The 22nd Colloquium of African Geology was held at the Paradis Palace of Hammamet (Tunisia), November 4th to 6th, 2008. Hammamet is one of the most outstanding touristic cities in the Country. This conference was organized under the Tunisian Association of Applied Geology (ATGA) umbrella. The Colloquium offered an opportunity for Academicians and Engineers to discuss and exchange new ideas in African Géology.
The opening ceremony was chaired by his Excellency Pr. Lazhar Bououni, Tunisian Minister of Higher Education, Research and Technology. Groupe Chimique de Tunisie / CPG, Entreprise Tunisienne d’Activité Pétrolière, Office National des Mines and Office de Topographie et de Cartographie together with some important Oil companies operating in Tunisia afforded substantial help and give the necessary financial resources to support this international event. The three day technical program of Colloquium and Conference included paper presentations, plenary sessions, panels, poster sessions and exhibitions. There were also two Fieldtrips three days each, devoted to the geology of the Northern, as well as the central and Southern regions of Tunisia. The main targets of the 22nd CAG/13th Conference, were to promote research and engineering developments as follows :
• providing a forum for discussion and exchanging of new advances in geology techniques and conceptual models;
• providing practice for academicians and engineers, thus enabling evaluation of evolving research and exploration tools in the field of natural resources, geoenvironment and sustainable development;
• providing an issue for the practical applications of engineering geology; • encouraging the exchange of geological data and experience.
The main aim was thus to bring together all Gescientists to present up to date knowledge and developments, discuss results and contribute to the development of Africa. The principal theme of this bi-annual Meeting was “Knowledge, Solidarity and Development”. The United Nations also proclaimed 2008 the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) at a time when the whole word was struggling to renew raw material reserves, where global warming and the effects of global climate change and where the environment remains the last parameter were to be considered. At this time knowledge, communication and solidarity appear as the key success factor for development. The objective is to make knowledge in Earth Sciences more effective and use the practical applications and literature in decision making to arrive at the sustainable development of our African Countries. Eleven themes were elected for conferences, including: Geodynamics of Africa, Basin Analyses & Petroleum Exploration, Earth Resources & Sustainable Development of Africa, Water and Soils resources, Paleoclimatology & Human Evolution of Africa, Geochemistry & Geochronology, Geo-environment & Global changes, Geophysics & Geohazards, Geomatics & Remote Sensing and Geo-education. In total 231 oral communications were achieved together with 40 poster shows. Number of communications per theme: Colloquium sessions Total contributions International Year of Planet Earth 1
Geodynamics of Africa 34 Basin Analysis & Petroleum Exploration 48 Earth Resources & Sustainable Development of Africa. 27 Water and Soils resources 44 Paleoclimatology & Human Evolution of Africa. 6
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Geochemistry & Geochronology 25 Geo-environment & Global changes 12 Geophysics & Geohazards 20 Geomatics & Remote Sensing 6 Geo-education 8
In addition 27 contributions were programmed but not presented, thus representing 10.4% of the total production of the Colloquium. The total participants were 302, from Africa (244), Europe (42), Asia (11) America (3) and Australia (2). The total number of participating countries was 41: Africa (19), Europe (10), Asia (8), America (2) and Australia (1). The Maghrebian geologists prevailed among participants to 22nd CAG.
Per continent participants
Per continent participating countries
Africa; 244
America 3 Australia; 2Asia; 11
Europe 42
AfricaEuropeAsiaAmericaAustralia
Africa; 19
Europe; 10
Asia; 8
America; 2 Australia; 1
AfricaEuropeAsiaAmericaAustralia
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