The Kingdom of Eswatini recognises the importance of geoscience in economic development and it is for this purpose that the investment has been made in the collection of high resolution geophysical data that will initially cover the north-western sector of the country. The Geological Survey Department (GSD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy of Eswatini, in collaboration with the Council for Geoscience (CGS) of South Africa, has commissioned the survey that will aim to map mineral potential and ground water resources among other things.

In the published amended regulations of the National Disaster Management Act of 2002 on 16 April 2020, Section 11K (3) stipulates that “the monitoring and impact of seismicity through the Council for Geoscience must be intensified with immediate effect”.

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) welcomes the responsibility bequeathed by the State authorities and affirms its readiness to fulfil this obligation in accordance with its legislative mandate and in collaboration with key protagonists in implementation of regulations.  The CGS maintains a national network of seismic stations across the length and breadth of the country and has a track record of recording and analysing seismology information for over a century. In giving effect to the resolution, the CGS will work together with a number of expert institutions including, albeit not limited to: the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), The CSIR, the Minerals Council, the South African National Institute of Rock Engineers and the Institute of Mine Seismology.

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) can confirm that an earth tremor occurred roughly 72 km south-west of Durban on 31 October 2019 at 13:19. The earth tremor registered a preliminary 3.7 on the local magnitude scale as recorded by the South African Seismograph Network. Although the tremor could be felt around the south-west of the Durban and areas further north, in Pietermaritzburg its epicentre has been located to an area around the regional route R612, near Sawoti Police Station in Braemar.

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) has learnt with sadness of the recent passing of Professor Morris Viljoen. Professor Viljoen had a successful career spanning over 60 years both as an academic and as a geologist working in the mining industry. He and his twin brother Professor Richard Viljoen are renowned for their extensive mapping of the Barbeton Greenstone Belt in Mpumalanga and their immense contribution to the geoscience field.

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) mourns the passing of Professor Maarten de Wit, an internationally acclaimed geoscientist who worked over several decades in numerous fields, including the evolution of the early Earth; Earth system processes and science transdisciplinarity. Professor de Wit’s passion, commitment to geoscience education and development led him to occupy various prominent positions at research institutions around the world and the supervision of several hundred Master’s and Doctoral graduates. His contribution toward the body of geoscience knowledge and understanding of the Earth is unrivalled and has assisted in the characterisation of numerous critical Earth processes and the development of applied geoscience solutions, especially on the African continent.

On Thursday, 26 September 2019, the Auditor-General awarded the CGS the much-coveted PFMA Clean Audit award for the financial year 2018/2019. This prestigious award marks the culmination of 16 years of consecutive unqualified audits by the CGS. The Auditor-General’s Business Executive, Ms Zolisa Zwakalisa, presented the award to the CGS Management team at our Silverton head office in Pretoria. Ms Zwakala congratulated the CGS on this achievement and encouraged the Management team and staff to continue with the good work.

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) has observed with concern the accusatory statements made by the Boere Krisis Aksie on 20 February 2020 via social media. We accordingly place on record that the statement was issued without consultation with the management of the CGS to address the purported concerns. We have further resolved to thoroughly investigate these allegations, in collaboration with the Law enforcement Authorities, and intend to engage all affected and interested stakeholders upon conclusion of the same within a period not exceeding a month. The reports from these comprehensive investigations will also direct the necessary actions to be duly considered in pursuit of justice.

The CGS is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa last Friday, 13 September 2019. Ms Bavelile Hlongwa was an aspiring, young and energetic leader who was passionate about the plight of women and youth in South Africa.

The Council of Geoscience (CGS) is invited to participate at the Critical Minerals Forum. Dr Taufeeq Dhansay will be representing the CGS at the open forum and discussion this coming Friday, 19 February 2021 at 14:00.

Please access the link below to listen to our pre-recorded contribution. https://youtu.be/KzDM5WEFy30​

Registration is free at https://www.americangeosciences.org/webinars/critical-minerals-forum-2021

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