MANUAL OF FUNCTIONS AND INDEX OF INFORMATION OF THE COUNCIL FOR GEOSCIENCE, AS REQUIRED BY THE PROMOTION OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT (ACT 2 OF 2000)

Introduction

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is one of the National Science Councils of South Africa and is the legal successor of the Geological Survey of South Africa, which was formed in 1912 by the amalgamation of three former Surveys, the oldest of which - the Geological Commission of the Cape of Good Hope - was founded in 1898.

The CGS was established through the Geoscience Act (Act 100 of 1993), which transferred the function of the Geological Survey to the Council for Geoscience.

1. Structure

The CGS is managed by a Management Board appointed by the Minister of Minerals and Energy. The composition of the Board is prescribed by the Geoscience Act. A Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Board on a five-year cycle. The Chief Executive Officer is assisted by a Management Team of three Executive Managers. The different functions of the CGS are performed by Business Units, each headed by a Manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the core-function activities of the CGS.

2. Functions and Mandate

The CGS operates under three types of mandates; some are fixed and others are variable:

• The principal fixed mandate is the Geoscience Act mentioned in the Introduction This Act states that the underlying objective of the CGS is to develop and publish world-class geoscience knowledge products and to render geoscience-related services to the South African public and industry. This mandate includes:

• The systematic reconnaissance and documentation of the geology of the earth's surface and continental crust, including all offshore areas within the territorial boundaries of South Africa.

  The compilation of geoscientific data and information in the form of maps and publications in the public domain.

• Basic geoscience research into the nature and origin of earth materials in order to understand the processes of the past and present and to publish such research findings.

• The collection and curation of geoscience data and knowledge on South Africa and the African continent in the National Geoscience Repository This information also includes documentation received from mining companies, research institutions and universities worldwide. Public access to this information is regulated through current legislation.

  The rendering of geoscience knowledge services to the State to enable informed and scientifically-based decisions regarding the use of the earth's surface and reasources within the boundaries of South Africa.

• The management of a number of geoscience facilities on behalf of the country. These include the National Seismograph Network, the National Borehole-core Repository, the National Geoscience Museum and the National Geoscience Library.The rendering of commercial geoscience services and products to national and international clients.

• The second fixed mandate under which the CGS operates forms part of the National System of Innovation as stated in "South Africa's National Research and Development Strategy" of 2002 as defined in the White Paper on Science and Technology of 1996, where the Department of Science and Technology plays an integrative role in regulating science and technology across all State-owned research organizations.
  

• The third and variable mandate of the CGS is expressed in the speeches and addresses made by, for example the President of South Africa in his State of the Nation Address and the various budget-vote speeches by the Ministers of Minerals and Energy and Science and Technology.
  

3. Contact Information

Street Address:

Postal Address:

Chief Information Officer

Mr T Ramontja - Chief Executive Officer

Deputy Information Officers

Mr D J Barnardo - Information Management Unit

Mrs L van der Merwe - Chief Librarian

4. Information Request Procedures

Written or telephonic requests must be submitted, stating the area or subject for which information is needed, in order to address the query correctly. Requests can be addressed to the Chief Information Officer or the Deputy Information Officers mentioned in Paragraph 3 of this document, or the request can be faxed to (012) 841-1076, (012) 841-1221 or (012) 841-1203. Requests can also be submitted on the general e-mail address of the CGS ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or on the e-mail addresses of the Chief Information Officer ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Deputy Information Officers ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

The Act also makes provision for an official form which can be used to apply for information. Fees are payable at the lodging of such an application, as well as for the information itself, based on the medium on/in which the information is required. If an application for information is rejected, for whatever reason, appeal can be lodged against such a ruling. The application form and appeal form are appended at the end of this document. This type of request must be lodged with the Chief Information Officer.

Applications for information can also be lodged at the various regional offices of the CGS. A list of regional offices appears in paragraph 9 of this document.

Prices of the information and official CGS publications are available from the CGS website or from a printed Catalogue of Publications, which is available on request.

5. Information Subjects

a. Publications

The publication series of the CGS includes the following:

• Annual Report. This publication provides a concise overview of the activities of the CGS for a given year.
  

• Annual Technical Report. A complete progress report on the research and other activities of the CGS.
  

• Handbooks. This series contains the results of comprehensive, countrywide research on a specific geological aspect or mineral resource.
  

• Memoirs. Contains the results of comprehensive research on a geological theme or entity, which does not cover the entire country.
  

• Bulletins. The results of limited studies on a geological aspect or entity are published in this series. The research is less comprehensive.
  

• Seismological Series. Earthquakes that occurred in Southern Africa and surrounding oceans during a specific year are documented in this series.
  

• Map Explanations. This series accompanies a geological or metallogenic map and provides an explanation, additional information and interpretation of the information on the map.
  

• Bibliography and Subject Index of South African Geology. Lists and briefly describes publications and theses on South African geoscience published worldwide during a given year.
  

• SACS Publications. Several series produced by the South African Committee for Stratigraphy (SACS).
  

• Popular Geoscience Series. This series is aimed at the general public and focuses on popular geoscience topics.
  

The Spatial Data Management Unit is responsible for the publication of the CGS map series. These include the 1:1 000 000-scale maps, the 1:250 000-scale maps and the 1:50 000-scale maps. In addition, various other map series are produced.

Geological maps

• The 1:1 000 000-scale series. The main product in this series is the geological map of the RSA. This map is frequently revised (present edition 1997). Other maps include the Mineral Map (published in 1981), the Metamorphic Map (1992), the Tectonic Map (1994) and the Gravity Map (2000).
  

• The 1:250 000-scale series. This geological map series presently covers 100 per cent of the surface of the RSA. Field mapping at a scale of 1:50 000 is used as a basis for the production of these maps. Some of the maps are also produced in a gravity edition, showing the gravity contours superimposed on the geology.
  

• The 1:50 000-scale series. This geological map series covers areas around important growth centres, e.g. Pretoria and Cape Town, and also certain areas of special geological interest, e.g. the Messina area. Geochemical maps
  

• The 1:1 000 000-scale Geochemical series. 1:1 000 000 scale maps of 1 by 2 degrees square, matching the maps of the 1:250 000 geological series.
  

Metallogenic maps

• The 1:250 000-scale Metallogenic map series. These maps depict the location of mineral deposits and other pertinent mineral-deposit information on a simplified geological background. The series is accompanied by an explanation for each sheet.
  

Geotechnical maps

• The 1:50 000-scale geotechnical series. This map series covers areas in important growth centres, e.g. Gauteng, and indicates geotechnical conditions of that area and land-use potential.
  

Geophysical maps

• The Geophysical Unit of the CGS produces various aerial radiometric and magnetic maps as well as ground based gravity maps at various scales. These maps are not published, but are available on demand and can be customised to suit a particular client's needs. The maps are sold through the Spatial Data Unit. Contact Mrs Almarie Smith on Telephone: (012) 841-1035, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and pricing.
  

Other maps

• Included in this group are Hazard Maps, presently consisting of a map at a scale of 1:60 000 of the Orange River flood plain in the Upington area, and Seismic Hazard maps at a scale of 1:6 000 000, depicting seismic hazard in the RSA. The Marine Geoscience Unit produced a number of maps, including the bathymetry and geology of the continental margin off the RSA and Namibia, at a scale of 1:2 000 000, as well as a 1:250 000-scale map of the Hermanus area, in the onshore/offshore map series depicting the geology and morphology of the coastal zone.
  

Maps of other countries

• In this category, the CGS produced a 1:125 000-scale map of the Makami Depression in Tanzania, and 1:1 000 000-scale geological and metallogenic maps of the Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Mozambique.
  

A comprehensive Catalogue of Publications is available on request and is updated as new publications are released. The Catalogue is also available on the Internet, on the CGS's website: http://www.geoscience.org.za/content/pubcat.html

b. Open File Information

This type of information consists of unpublished documents produced by CGS staff and unpublished information obtained from prospecting and mining companies. It includes reports, field mapping records (field sheets) and other unpublished information sources, e.g. CD-ROM data. A mechanism to release this information, called the ''Open File'', is also maintained. This involves reports and other documents that are suitable for release to the public. Documents with a classification of ''Open'' may be perused by visitors on request, while documents classified as ''Open File'' may be copied and sold. A list of these type of reports is maintained. It is available on the Internet (http://www.geoscience.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=270&Itemid=336) or on request from the Chief Information Officer or Deputy Information Officers.

c. The Prospecting Borehole Collection

This collection consists of prospecting borehole logs acquired through the stipulations of the Minerals Act (Act 28 of 2002) from prospecting companies. The Information Centre is responsible for the storage and availability of borehole log information, as allowed for by the Minerals Act. Presently only locality information, including the collar locality information (latitude, longitude and elevation in geographic coordinates) is available for borehole data received from South African Chamber of Mines members, through an agreement reached with the Chamber. Also available are the starting and completion dates of the borehole, the prospecting company, the final depth of the borehole, the farm information and the principal commodity intersected. It remains the responsibility of the applicant to obtain written confirmation for the release of the actual borehole data from the prospecting company concerned. The borehole information mentioned is available on the COREDATA borehole database. Queries can be directed to the Chief Information Officer or Deputy Information Officers.

d. SAGEOLIT database

The South African GEOlogical LITerature database is a bibliographic database containing references to internal reports and selected periodical articles housed in the Information Section and the Library. Internal reports are captured onto the database upon receipt in the Section. Periodical articles are selected from newly-received periodicals on display in the Library by a panel of indexers, consisting of experts from all divisions in the CGS. The database presently contains more than 200 000 records.

A unique feature of SAGEOLIT is the Map Database. SAGEOLIT focuses on Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa, with special emphasis on the SADC countries, but also contains information on geoscience literature of all parts of the world.

Queries can be directed to the Chief Information Officer or Deputy Information Officers and SAGEOLIT is also available on the CGS website.

e. The Library

The Library of the CGS serves as the National Geoscience Library. It contains the most comprehensive collection of geoscience publications in South Africa and probably the whole of Africa. It provides a comprehensive information service to all staff members and to the South African geoscience community as a whole.

The Library collection consists mainly of monographs (books), periodicals, theses, microfiche documents and pamphlets, but also includes other items such as indexed articles, conference papers, videos, audio recordings, etc. Several computer databases are available to Library users and include:

• ILIS4^© - administrative system and catalogue for monographs, periodicals, etc.
  

• SABINET (South African Bibliographic and Information Network) - national database to establish availability of publications in other libraries.
  

• SAGEOLIT (South African Geological Literature) - internal database of selectively indexed periodical articles, as described previously in this document.
  

• GEOREF^© - CD-ROM-based database containing references to articles from 22 000 comprehensively indexed international periodical titles.
  

Services offered by the Library include: interlibrary loans (national and international), photocopy services, current awareness services and computer searches. Library budgeting, orders and loan control are fully computerised on ILIS4(c).

The Library boasts a collection of more than 14 000 monographs, 800 current periodicals (subscription and exchange) and more than 10 000 analytical entries, including pamphlets. Exchange agreements exist with more than 400 institutions worldwide, ensuring a lively contact with the international geoscience community.

The Library is open to the public, who are also allowed to access the Library collections and use the Library's available databases, however, books or other Library material are not available for loan. Fees are in line with the stipulated fees as determined by the Access to Information Act.

f. The Map Library Collection

The Map Library contains a comprehensive collection of geoscience maps. Bibliographic descriptions of all maps are available on a computer database (SAGEOLIT). A unique feature of the database is that it also contains descriptions and references to geoscience maps contained in publications. The Map Library contains more than 13 000 map sheets and more than 40 000 documents are available on the database. The aim is to obtain as comprehensive a collection of African maps as possible, but maps from all over the world are available. Most of the maps are obtained through the exchange programme, but a programme to buy maps to supplement these is also followed. Lists of available maps, per country, are available on request from the Chief Information Officer or Deputy Information Officers.

g. The GEODE database

h. Human Resources and Financial information

The CGS has extensive records on these subjects, which is summarised in the CGS Annual Reports. Specific requests for information relating to these subjects should be lodged in the same way as described in paragraph 4 of this document.

6. The National Core Library

The National Core Library contains a comprehensive collection of borehole core and cuttings from South African geological strata. These were generated during exploration and research drilling and were collected over a period of several decades. Viewing, sectioning and sampling facilities are available to geological researchers, academic institutions and the private sector.

Presently this collection consists of more than 1 600 boreholes, with a cumulative length of more than 1 000 km. Information on the availability of and procedures to view core is available from Mr Roger Price at (012) 841-1071 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or from the Chief Information Officer or Deputy Information Officers.

Core Data

Core borehole data for South Africa are available for the areas depicted on the index map. Please contact Mrs M Schalekamp for more information. Telephone: (012) 841-1065 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

7. Digital information

Digital versions of a number of published maps and custom-made map products of South and Southern Africa are also available on request in a variety of formats. These include:

Geological maps

The areas within South Africa for which digital geological maps are available are depicted on the index maps. Please contact Mr Ken Wilkinson for further information. Telephone: (012) 841-1024 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Metallogenic maps

A digital version of the Metallogenic Map of South Africa is available on CD-ROM. This product contains ArcView files, together with the ArcView software, as well as ArcInfo shape files. Please contact Mrs Thelma Swart for information. Telephone: (012) 841-1017 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A digital version of the Metallogenic Map of Africa, customised to specific needs, is also available from the Council for Geoscience. Please contact Mrs Sue Frost-Killian for information. Telephone: (012) 841-1136 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mineral deposit maps

These maps are not available digitally, but are generated on demand from the SAMINDABA mineral deposits database. Please contact Mr Cornelis Vorster for further information. Telephone: (012) 841-1131 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seismological maps

Seismic Hazard data for South Africa are available for the events depicted on the index map below. Please contact Mr Ian Saunders for more information. Telephone: (012) 841-1456 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Geochemical maps

Geochemical data for South Africa are available for the areas depicted on the index map. Please contact Mr Kobus Elsenbroek for more information. Telephone: (012) 841-1411 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Airborne Geophysical Data

Airborne geophysical data for South Africa are available for the areas depicted on the index map. Regional airborne magnetic data are available for the whole of South Africa. Please contact Mr P Cole for more information. Telephone: (012) 841-1193 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

8. Services Provided

The core services that can be provided by the CGS staff on a consultancy basis include:

• Geological Mapping
  

• Metallogenic Mapping
  

• Geotechnical Mapping
  

• Regional Geochemical Mapping
  

• Economic Geology
  

•   Mineral Resource assessments

•   Advice to small-scale miners

• Regional Geochemical Surveys
  

• Engineering Geological Site Investigations
  

• Geophysical Surveys and Interpretations
  

• Geochemical Surveys
  

• Seismic Hazard Assessments
  

• Ground-water Investigations
  

• Coastal Erosion Studies
  

• Marine Geology
  

• Environmental Impact Assessments
  

• Isotope Geochemistry
  

• Geochronology
  

• Analytical Services
  

• Wet-chemical Determinations

• Geotechnical Analytical Services

• Optical and Electron Microscopy

• Petrographic Descriptions

• Mineralogy

• X-ray Diffractrometry

• X-ray Fluorescence

• Palaeontology
  

• Geographic Information System Development and Spatial Database Design
  

• Data Analysis, Design and Compilation of Geoscience Databases
  

• Cartographic Services
  

• Information Management and Dissemination
  

• Compilation and Publishing of
  

• Geological Maps
  

• Geophysical Maps, including Magnetic, Radiometric and Gravity Maps

• Seismic Hazard Maps
  

• Metallogenic Maps
  

• Geoscience Publications in various formats

9. Regional Offices

The Council for Geoscience operates branch offices in six of the nine Provinces. The contact information of these branch offices are as follows:

Central Regions (Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Free State)

Western Cape Regional Office

Eastern Cape Regional Office

KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office

Limpopo Regional Office

Northern Cape Regional Office