Geological Society of South Africa

15/09/2026

💎 FROM PRESENTATION TO FIELD TRIP 💎

The last two day of the Lichtenburg 100 Centenary Conference took us into the field, where Mike de Wit led us through the geology of the Lichtenburg Diamond Fields.

After two days of presentations and discussions, it was exciting to see the geology we had been learning about brought to life in the field, connecting the science, interpretations and discussions to what we could actually observe on the ground. ⛏️🌍

A great way to close the conference and celebrate 100 years of Lichtenburg’s diamond history!

11/09/2026

💎 DAY 2 | LICHTENBURG 100 💎

We’re back for Day 2 of the Lichtenburg 100 Centenary Conference, celebrating 100 years since the discovery of the Lichtenburg Diamond Fields.

Today we’re digging deeper into the story behind these extraordinary diamonds — from South Africa’s diamond placers and the Bakerville gravels to structural controls, regional geology and the processes that created and preserved these deposits.

And, of course, the question that has intrigued geoscientists for a century…

💎 Where did the Lichtenburg diamonds come from?

A day of great science, new thinking, different interpretations and plenty of geological debate. Just the way we like it! ⛏️🌍

07/09/2026

🌍 THE TRUE SIZE OF AFRICA

The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed the use of map projections that more accurately represent the relative sizes of continents.

Africa covers approximately 30.3 million km² which is nearly 14 times the size of Greenland and about three times the size of Canada. However, the widely used Mercator projection has historically made Africa appear much smaller in comparison with northern landmasses.

The resolution encourages the use of the Equal Earth projection when relative size matters. As Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, stated:

“A fair map does not change the geography of the world; it changes how we see the world.”

For geoscientists, maps are more than illustrations, they shape how we interpret, communicate and understand our planet.

Source: United Nations News

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/09/1168284

07/09/2026

On today's agenda, the GSSA is at Africa’s largest mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, and power trade show, the Electra Mining Africa Exhibit 2026!! The theme for today is Future Skills and Careers Day.

​Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, learn more about our upcoming workshops and opportunities, or simply catch up with us, drop by our stand, chat with our team, and let’s discuss the future of South African geology and mining. See you there! ⛏️💎

07/08/2026

07/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shares their time, knowledge and expertise with the GSSA community.

To the organisations that make it possible by supporting their teams, thank you for investing in the future of geoscience.

Together, we inspire, mentor and grow.

28/07/2026

FIELD-TO-FINDINGS: A COMPLETE COURSE IN DRILLING, SAMPLE HANDLING, AND RESULT INTERPRETATION
4 AUGUST 2026
ONLINE

Register here https://zoom.us/meeting/register/UtJFdsMSSn6ZyOHLoryW1Q #/registration

🔍 From Drill Rig to Resource Model: Essential Knowledge for Every Geoscientist

Whether you're a student, graduate, exploration geologist, resource geologist, or geoscience professional looking to refresh your skills, this course provides practical insights into the entire geological data chain.

Topics include:
⛏️ Drilling
💧 Drilling Fluids
📍 Downhole Surveying
📝 Borehole Logging & Sampling
💻 Databases & Data Capture
🧪 Certified Reference Materials (CRMs)
🔬 Assays
✅ Sampling & QAQC
📊 Reporting

Learn how quality data is generated, managed and interpreted—and why every step matters.

28/07/2026

🚨 STUDENTS - Could You Pitch the Next Great Exploration Discovery? ⛏️🌍

The Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA), in partnership with Electra Mining Africa 2026, is proud to introduce The Explorers' Pitch—a Dragons' Den-style competition that challenges students to turn geological ideas into investment opportunities.

This isn't just another student competition. It's your opportunity to think like an exploration professional, present your ideas to industry experts, and demonstrate why your project deserves funding.

👥 Teams of 3 will develop a proposal for a South African exploration project, including:
🪨 A compelling geological target
📊 A realistic exploration programme
💰 A justified OPEX & CAPEX budget
📈 A clear investment case

The top three teams will present live at Electra Mining 2026 on Monday, 7 September 2026, where they'll pitch their projects to a panel of experienced geologists, mining professionals and industry leaders.

🏆 What's in it for you?
✅ R10,000 cash prize for the winning team
✅ Exposure to leading industry professionals
✅ Real-world pitching experience
✅ Valuable feedback from an expert panel
✅ A standout achievement for your CV
✅ Networking opportunities with potential future employers

📅 Key Dates
📌 Proposal submissions close: Friday, 14 August 2026
📌 Competition Day: Monday, 7 September 2026
📍 Venue: Electra Mining Africa, NASREC

Whether you're studying Geology, Geoscience, Mining Engineering or a related discipline, this is your chance to showcase your technical knowledge, teamwork and innovation on one of Africa's largest mining platforms.

Real Projects. Real Decisions. Real Impact.

Start building your team and get ready to answer one question:

Why should industry invest in your exploration project?

Upload you proposal HERE - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOgRz7Wzl-HM9eCYZGpM8Xgqt_px7UddfgQV3dLCjt0jbXSA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108812362616250346692.

We can't wait to see the next generation of exploration leaders take the stage.

06/07/2026

The GSSA was proud to join the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) at the National Science Month Launch held at the Sebokeng Vaal University of Technology (VUT) campus.

It was a day filled with inspiring talks, thought-provoking debates, and meaningful engagement with scholars, students, and fellow scientific organisations. Events like these remind us of the importance of collaboration in growing the geoscience profession and inspiring the next generation of Earth scientists.

Thank you to Minister Blade Mzimande for bringing the scientific community together to celebrate the role of science in shaping South Africa’s future.

07/05/2026

Did you know? 🎧
Most GSSA podcast listeners are 25–34-year-old males…

So here’s the real question: who’s missing out?

It’s time to shake things up. Fresh insights, diverse voices, and conversations that matter,there’s a seat (and a headset) for everyone.

Break the trend. Start listening: https://www.pod.link/gssa