School of Geosciences - University of Witwatersrand

Jul 23

Congratulations to our senior lecturer in Economic Geology, Dr Ben Hayes, on receiving the Friedel Sellschop Fellowship for 2025 to 2027. Presented by the University of the Witwatersrand, this grant, worth up to R145 000 a year over three years, acknowledges and celebrates outstanding early-stage r...Read more

Congratulations to our senior lecturer in Economic Geology, Dr Ben Hayes, on receiving the Friedel Sellschop Fellowship for 2025 to 2027. Presented by the University of the Witwatersrand, this grant, worth up to R145 000 a year over three years, acknowledges and celebrates outstanding early-stage researchers. The grant will fund Hayes’ research into the origin of the enigmatic Okiep copper deposits in the Northern Cape – one of the oldest mining districts in southern Africa. This research will provide insight into how the copper deposits were formed and enhance exploration in a region ripe for new discoveries. #Wits #WitsGeosciences #WitsForGood

Jul 23

Are you curious about where your degree can take you? Join us at the Wits Geosciences Career Fair to explore a wide range of exciting career paths in geoscience! 💬 Connect with top industry professionals 🎯 Get practical advice on shaping your academic and career journey 📍 Venue: GLT Geosciences ...Read more

Are you curious about where your degree can take you? Join us at the Wits Geosciences Career Fair to explore a wide range of exciting career paths in geoscience! 💬 Connect with top industry professionals 🎯 Get practical advice on shaping your academic and career journey 📍 Venue: GLT Geosciences Building, Wits University 📅 Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025 🔗 Scan the QR code in the poster to RSVP — don’t miss out! #WitsGeosciences #CareerFair2025 #GeoscienceCareers #WitsForGood #FutureGeoscientists #BridgeTheGap

Jul 23

📢 Upcoming Geotalk – Thurs 24 July Join the Wits Geosciences Honours Class of 2025 as they present insights from their recent field excursion to the Barberton Greenstone Belt and Bushveld Complex. 🌍 Topic: Archaean and Proterozoic Metallogenesis in South Africa 📅 Date: Thursday, 24 July 🕓 Time...Read more

📢 Upcoming Geotalk – Thurs 24 July Join the Wits Geosciences Honours Class of 2025 as they present insights from their recent field excursion to the Barberton Greenstone Belt and Bushveld Complex. 🌍 Topic: Archaean and Proterozoic Metallogenesis in South Africa 📅 Date: Thursday, 24 July 🕓 Time: 16h00 📍 Venue: G101, Wits Geosciences Building Come support the Honours class and hear firsthand how some of South Africa’s most important geological terranes reveal their mineral stories! #Geotalk #WitsGeosciences #BarbertonGreenstoneBelt #BushveldComplex #FieldGeology #HonoursClass2025 #SouthAfricanGeology

Jul 19

Congratulations to Wits School of Geosciences geology and geochemistry honours alumna Nomonde Miya on receiving the 2025 Haughton Award at the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) awards ceremony on 17 July 2025. The GSSA presents the Haughton Award annually, which recognises the most outstan...Read more

Congratulations to Wits School of Geosciences geology and geochemistry honours alumna Nomonde Miya on receiving the 2025 Haughton Award at the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) awards ceremony on 17 July 2025. The GSSA presents the Haughton Award annually, which recognises the most outstanding BSc Honours research thesis in Earth Sciences from a South African university. Nomonde received this award for her honours thesis, titled “Tectonomagmatic History of Anorthosite and Orthogneiss in the Qaqortorsuaq Anorthosite Mine, Southern West Greenland: Constraints from Zircon U-Pb Geochronology”, which was recognised as the best thesis countrywide. “Receiving the Haughton Award means so much to me – it’s a reflection of hard work, perseverance, countless late nights and a deep love for geosciences. I’m grateful to the Wits School of Geosciences and everyone who’s supported me along the way,” Nomonde says. Congratulations, Nomonde. Your success is a genuine motivation to other students in the scientific community.

Jul 18

Congratulations to Professor Glen Nwaila, Director of the African Research Centre for Ore System Science at the Wits School of Geosciences, on being awarded the prestigious Des Pretorius Memorial Award for 2025. Prof. Nwaila is recognised for his substantial contribution to economic geology in Afri...Read more

Congratulations to Professor Glen Nwaila, Director of the African Research Centre for Ore System Science at the Wits School of Geosciences, on being awarded the prestigious Des Pretorius Memorial Award for 2025. Prof. Nwaila is recognised for his substantial contribution to economic geology in Africa, particularly his outstanding work in mineral exploration technology, machine learning, geodata science and mineral resource estimation. His methodologies and scientific advances have important applications at the interface of academia and industry. “The Des Pretorius Memorial Award marks a new chapter in my pursuit for rigorous, curiosity-driven research where each data point becomes a stepping-stone towards scientific progress that benefits African communities, academia and the mining industry. I hope this recognition inspires my students and ignites passion in the next generation of geoscientists. My sincere thanks go to the Wits School of Geosciences for fostering the enabling environment in which I can pursue my passion,” says Prof. Nwaila. The Wits School of Geosciences is proud of Dr Nwaila’s achievement and looks forward to his ongoing success and impact in this societally and economically relevant discipline.