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The Colloquium of African Geology
From the earliest days of exploration, geologists have been drawn to Africa’s unique geological history and diverse features, ranging from the majestic mountain ranges of the High Atlas in Morocco to the flat and monotonous expanses of the Karoo in South Africa, from the vast deserts broken by the inland deltas of the Okavango and Niger, and from towering volcanoes lining the East African Rift Valley to the imposing waterfalls of the Zambezi. In their pursuit of knowledge, intrepid explorers have braved the heat and dust of the Sahara and the treacherous rapids of the Congo, or scaled the heights of Kilimanjaro, but also engaged in less spectacular if no less consequential exploits, such as the painstaking geological reconnaissance of a continent, which – in the early days of European settlement – was largely inaccessible.
Africa contains some of the world’s oldest rock formations, such as the Archaean greenstone belts of South Africa and Zimbabwe, so that in its preserved rock record more than three billion years of earth history are documented. And it not only tells the story of the development of Planet Earth, but also supports its population through a wealth of important mineral deposits, including gold, diamonds, platinum and copper. Accordingly, Africa has been a living laboratory for both students of Earth history and seekers of the buried mineral riches essential to modern life and industrial development, and it is their curiosity and passion to unravel the geological events that have shaped the continent over hundreds of millions of years which led to the conception of the Colloquium of African Geology (CAG).
CAG is organised under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf), and is undoubtedly the most significant gathering of its kind to be convened on the African continent. Held biennially, this event has played a pivotal role in advancing geological knowledge by allowing scientists to interact and exchange ideas and findings, especially in the pre-internet days. Its inaugural meeting took place in March 1964 at the University of Leeds, England, master-minded by Prof. W.Q. Kennedy and Dr Tom Clifford, themselves notable experts in the field of African geology. Since then, CAG has grown exponentially. Of the 28 events held up to date, 18 took place in Europe, while the remaining 10 were hosted by various African countries, specifically South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Morocco (twice), Mozambique and Tunisia. It is with great anticipation that we look ahead to CAG29, which is set to unfold in Namibia during the final week of September 2023.
During the colloquium, international earth scientists from academia and industry will present their research results, share experiences in the field and laboratories, as well as discuss exploration strategies, mineral economics and data management under the inspiring theme of “The earth sciences and Africa’s development: current realities, future projections”. CAG also serves as a platform for fostering collaboration between African geologists and their overseas counterparts. It promotes the sharing of expertise, the establishment of international research partnerships, and the development of joint projects to further our understanding of Africa’s geological heritage.
Talks will cover such diverse fields as the geodynamic evolution of the African continent, palaeontology, ancient environments and palaeoclimates, ore deposit geology, hydrogeology, mineral investment, as well as the relatively new disciplines of agrogeology and medical geology. Promoting Earth heritage and responsible geotourism through the establishment of geoparks and generally raising awareness of Africa’s geological treasures amongst the public will be the subject of a separate session.
In connection with CAG29, participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a variety of field excursions to sites of particular geological interest around the country, visit mining operations and exploration projects and take a look at Windhoek’s water supply and management system. In addition, various short courses and workshops on the practical application of geoscience, such as novel exploration techniques, small-scale or artisanal mining, geotourism and the role of women in geoscience are expected to create a deeper understanding of the intersection between the earth sciences, sustainable development and society.
With its rich geological diversity, Namibia is a great choice to host this prestigious event, which will take place at the Mercure (formerly Safari) Conference Centre in Windhoek, from 26 to 29 September 2023. The Colloquium of African Geology stands as a testament to the richness and diversity of Africa’s geological heritage and continues to advance our understanding of the continent’s geological processes, unravel its past, and contribute to sustainable development through the responsible management of its geological resources. It bears evidence to the enduring power of knowledge and the boundless potential of the human spirit, and serves as a reminder of the beauty and wonder that lie at the heart of this great continent.
To learn more about CAG29, visit www.cag29gsaf.org
