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Field Trips

Orange River - Northern Cape

(Cape Town - Springbok - Aggeneys - Vioolsdrif - Cape Town)

24 - 31 August

Tour leader: Professor Dave Reid

Itinerary:
24 August  Meet at Breakwater Lodge & visit Sea Point Contact
                   Delegates overnight at Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town
25 August  Depart Cape Town
                   Overnight in Springbok
26 August  Okiep Copper District
                   Overnight in Springbok
27 August  Namaqualand Pegmatite District
28 August  Orange River Canoe Traverse
29 August  Orange River Canoe Traverse
30 August  Depart Orange River to Cape Town
                   Overnight at Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town
31 August  Departures

The West Coast field excursion provides the opportunity to examine a wide variety of natural mineral deposits, many of which are of economic value, including precious stones, base metals and industrials. Pre-colonial mining activity is known to have been widespread throughout Namaqualand and many products drew the attention of early settlers, the most notable being the expedition of Simon Van Der Stel in the late 17th century, which confirmed the presence of copper in the O'Okiep region of western Namaqualand.

Probably the most valuable resource discovered and exploited along the west coast of South Africa is gem quality diamonds, interpreted as marine, aeolian and alluvial placers. After several decades of economic prosperity, this unique mega-placer is close to being worked out. Exploitation of a second major coastal placer deposit containing a suite of heavy minerals rich in titanium and zirconium commenced with the establishment of the Namaqua Sands mine. Transport and concentration of ilmenite, leucoxene, zircon, garnet and other heavy minerals is also attributed to alluvial, marine and aeolian processes.

Economic quantities of marine phosphate were originally discovered on land in the Saldanha Bay region and while these have been mined out, considerable resources are known to occur offshore and exploration is ongoing.

With a history of nearly 200 years of industrial scale mining, the west coast and neighbouring interior supports a community well versed in the boom and bust economic cycle. New ventures occur alongside defunct or waning sites in the process or need of rehabilitation. Accompanying the major economic deposits mentioned above is a vast suite of minor deposits and mineral shows that occur along the west coast of South Africa from Cape Town to the Richtersveld. Their value resides principally in their good surface exposure and field relations, which provide the opportunity for prospectors to better understand the geological controls behind economic mineralization.

Purpose of the excursion:
The excursion follows a route from Cape Town northwards to the Orange River, which forms the border with Namibia. Included in the schedule are visits to active and historical sites of major mineral mining, together with well exposed geological localities that display features helpful in understanding their formation and depostional style.

In adddition to the mineralogy and its geological context, the excursion will also provide the opportunity to experience the fabulous scenery, the unique flora and fauna, as well as the diverse communities that characterise the Western and Northern Cape provinces.

Cost: R18 000 per person

Cost includes:
Return airport transfers
Trip transport
Accommodation: Breakwater Lodge, Springbok Hotel & Camps
Please note accommodation is on a sharing basis
Meals & beverages: 25 - 30 August
Canoeing: Fully inclusive gear. Beverages for own accounts

Requirements:
Persons must be fit and wear appropriate gear
Persons must be able to swim
No rock hammers please, but hand lens and a camera will be useful
Persons are responsible for their own visas to enter into Namibia & South Africa

Maximum number of participants: 20
Minimum number of participants: 10

Gem Potential Madagascar Pegmatites

21 – 31 August 2014

Tour Leader: Federico Pezzotta

Gem bearing pegmatites in Madagascar are distributed mostly in the central and south of the island, and they occur in in many different rock units (paragneiss, quartzites, marbles, and migmatites), belonging to different geologic domains and sub-domains. Malagasy gem-pegmatites are associated with a late Neoproterozoictectono-magmatic event (age between 570 and 540 Ma) characterized by the intrusion of syenite and granite plutons, emplaced in an extentional tectonic regime. Economically, the most important ones are those characterized by the occurrence of red and multicolored tourmaline (“liddicoatite” and “elbaite”). This excursion will allow the visit of numerous gem localities distributed in the Antananarivo domain and in the Itremo sub-domain, and the observation of several gem pegmatites characterized by unusual and exotic mineralogy.

Itinerary:

Day 1, Thursday, 21 August 2014
Arrive in Antananarivo and visit to the Energy and Mines Ministery and the Gemological Institute of Madagascar
Night in Antananarivo

Day 2. Friday, 22 August 2014
Transfer to Antsirabe, and visit of the Tsaramanga pegmatite, near Mahaiza (rose quartz and dark-blue beryl)
Night in Antsirabe

Day 3, Saturday 23 August 2014
Visit of the Sahatany-Valley pegmatites, Tsarafara, Estatoby, and other nearby gem pegmatites (gem varieties of tourmaline, beryl, spodumene, danburite, hambergite, spessartine)
Night in Antsirabe

Day 4, Sunday 24 August 2014
Visit of the Ialamitana pegmatites (gem-quality rose quartz, star rose quartz, heliodor and other beryl varieties)
Night in Ambositra

Day 5, Monday 25 August 2014
Visit of the Valozoro pegmatites (carving quality varieties of tourmaline, gem varieties of beryl)
Night in Fianarantsoa

Day 6, Tuesday 26 August 2014
Visit to the Alakamisy-Itenina gem-pegmatitic locality (large residual deposit of carving quality tourmaline)
Night in Fianarantsoa

Day 7, Wednesday 27 August 2014
Visit to local gem dealers and return to Antsirabe
Night in Antsirabe

Day 8, Thursday 28 August 2014
Trip to Manapa, transect across several geological formations containing different types of gem-bearing pegmatites
Night in Manapa (CAMPING)

Dey 9, Friday, 29 August 2014
Visit to several gem-bearing pegmatites (gem-varieties of tourmaline, beryl, spodoumene, danburite, rhodizite, londonite)
Night in Manapa (CAMPING)

Day 10, Saturday 30 August 2014
Return to Antsirabe and visit to local gem dealers
Night in Antsirabe
Day 11 Sunday, 31 August 2014
Travel back to Antananarivo and return to Johannesburg

Cost per person: TBC

Terms and Conditions:
1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.
2. Preference will be given to registered IMA 2014 delegates.
3. Cancellations must be received in writing and emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
4. Refunds will be granted at the discretion of the organising committee.
5. Cancellations received before 30 May 2014, will be refunded less a 10% administration fee.
6. Cancellations received between 31 May and 31 July 2014 will be refunded 50% of the tour price.
7. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 31 July 2014.
8. In the event that the tour is cancelled by the organisers, a full refund will be issued.
9. A decision will be made as to whether the tour will go ahead or not by 31 March 2014.
10. All participants will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to participating in the field trip.
11. All participants are to take out their own personal insurance cover for general travel insurance, personal liability, medical cover and dangerous activities cover. A copy of confirmation of insurance must be submitted to the organisers prior to participating in the tour.
12. The organisers reserve the right to change or cancel the field trip if necessary.

Local Wits Geology (Central Rand) - Geology, mining, history and environment Tour

Taking place on: 31 August 2014

The uppermost Elsburg conglomerate and associated southward dipping quartzite overlain by the Ventersdorp lava forming the Klipriversberg range to the south.

In the valley the historic (1893) red roofed mansion of Johannes Petrus Meyer, after whom Johannesburg was reputedly named, is seen.

The tour aims to present a brief introduction to some of the important geological features of the unique Witwatersrand plateau of the Johannesburg area. It also includes an introduction to the early gold mining history of the Reef and incorporates aspects of the history of early Johannesburg. Environmental impacts of 127 years of mining will also be viewed.

Features such as the Orange Grove Quartzite ridge forming the base of the Witwatersrand sedimentary basin and the northern edge of the plateau are viewed. The banded, magnetic iron formation known as the Contorted Bed is examined and the importance of the latter in tracing the Witwatersrand sediments below younger cover will be outlined.

A number of the iconic auriferous conglomerate reef horizons will be seen including the discovery site of the Main Reef and Main Reef Leader conglomerates at Langlaagte. The historic Ferreira stope on the Main Reef Leader, Ferreiras Dorp (site of the first gold mining camp-Ferreiras camp) will also be visited. The uppermost (Elsburg) conglomerates and quartzites forming the southern edge of the Witwatersrand Plateau will be examined. These are overlain by the Ventersdorp lava forming the Kliprviersberg range south of Johannesburg.

A number of iconic buildings associated with early Johannesburg will be seen. The part played by the Randlords in developing some of the early Central Rand mines such a Robinson deep will be covered including the history of one of the greatest Witwatersrand mines-Crown mines. Several of the mansions of the Randlords situated on Parktown ridge will be viewed and a colourful history recounted.

Re – processing of the tailings dams will be viewed on Crown mines, CMR and Village Main where the origins and consequences of environmental impacts of Witwatersrand mining on air (dust pollution) and river (water pollution) will also be seen and discussed.

Cost: R 750-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Packed Lunch
Refreshments

Min number of participants: 10
Max number of participants: 35

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Pilanesberg Geology, Fauna and Flora

The circular outline of the Pilanesberg Complex reflects the fact that it is an eroded volcano with a diameter of 28 km and an areal extent of 530 km2 that intruded around 1200 million years ago. Pilanesberg is the fourth largest park in South Africa, with a wide variety of habitats which include syenitekoppies, forested ravines, bush veld and rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas.

To most people, the name Pilanesberg Complex means an excellent game reserve where it is possible to see the Big 5 - the elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and the cape buffalo, only a two hour drive from Johannesburg. The central Mankwe Dam is a great tranquil place to spot wildlife, including crocodiles, at the water’s edge. To a geologist however, the Pilanesberg represents one of the world’s largest alkaline complexes, with outcrops of unusual rock types such as nephelinesyenites, foyaites and tiguaites.

The day tour aims to present a brief introduction to some of the important geological features of the unique Pilanesberg Complex. However, there is much more to see that just the rocks, as the major tourist attraction of course in the opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife. In addition to the large mammals, the park is home to over 300 species of birds and the park presents a tranquil setting of ever-changing scenery as you drive along the roads and game trails. The tour will be led by an experienced field guide who will present some of the historical background to the setting up of the park and will be able to identify animals, birds and trees for those who are interested.

En route to the Pilanesberg you will cross part of the Bushveld Complex, and pass near Rustenburg, the platinum capital of the world. You will see a number of the shafts of the platinum and chromium mines. Once in the park, we can’t guarantee that you will see the Big 5, but the tour is suitable for all who want to appreciate the geology, fauna and flora or a very special part of South Africa and we can guarantee a memorable day out.

Cost: R2 000 per person

Terms and conditions apply

Geology of the Western Cape

Taking place on: 6 - 8 September

Tour leaders
Professor John Compton & Dr John Rogers

Tour leader to advise times for each day

Requirements:
Hikers must be fit and wear appropriate gear, especially boots
No rock hammers, but hand lens and a camera will be useful

Pre-tour – 5 September
Delegates arriving in Cape Town. Airport transfers to be arranged according to their arrival times. Quality Touring Services to assist with transfers.

Day 1 – 6 September
Cape Peninsula Tour led by Dr John Rogers
Day 1 will highlight the geological sites of interest in the Cape Peninsula, including the famous Sea Point Contact, where the debate between the plutonists and the neptunists was resolved. Day 2 will be a hike up Table Mountain, weather permitting. While there will be no technical climbing required, this is nevertheless a strenuous hike requiring a moderate level of physical fitness. Day 3 will highlight geological features further up the West Coast, north of Cape Town, and will include the Pliocene vertebrate fossils of the West Coast Fossil Park. Note that the hike on Table Mountain could be changed to either the first or last day; this leg of the excursion is dependent on good weather.

Entrance to Cape Point, the African Penguins at Boulders in Simon's Town, the West Coast National Park and the West Coast Fossil Park and ascending Table Mountain via the Cableway are included.

The Cape Peninsula trip will include a drive to Three Anchor Bay and the Sea Point Contact, hiking down to Clifton 1st Beach to study Early Cretaceous dolerite dykes intrusive into Cape Granite, then a short cruise departing Hout Bay Harbour on the CIRCE tourist-launch to view Cape Granite, overlain by Ordovician sandstones of the Table Mountain Group. From there the drive will continue past Noordhoek Beach, the valley eastwards to Fish Hoek, across the fault-caused Fish Hoek/Noordhoek Valley to Kommetje and above Slangkop Lighthouse to stop between Misty Cliffs and Scarborough to examine raised a Pleistocene boulder beach and cemented talus below cliffs of TMG sandstone of the Peninsula Formation, well exposed in a rare road cutting. We continue to the view site over Smitswinkel Bay's major fault and a vista across False Bay and then south to Cape Point to, preferably, walk up to the Old Lighthouse for a view of rip-currents off Diaz Beach, of the Cape of Good Hope and eastward to Cape Hangklip and Danger Point. The final drive goes along the coast of False Bay to Froggy Pond and then heads north to Glencairn and the final viewsite overlooking the Cape Flats and the Constantia Vineyards and the mountains of the northern Cape Peninsula.

Day 2 – 7 September
GeoHike on Table Mountain led by Dr John Rogers
During the Table Mountain GeoHike we will examine the main rock-types of the Cape Peninsula. The hike begins along the Contour Path above Rhodes Memorial to outcrops of folded silt stones of the Late Proterozoic Malmesbury Group's Tygerberg Formation. We continue beyond Devil's Peak to the lower slopes of Table Mountain, below the summit of Maclear's Beacon, to reach Platteklip Gorge, a major joint, providing access to fit hikers. We then hike along a narrow Contour Path and return eastwards to Platteklip Gorge and a little farther east to Silwerstroom Cave to hunt for trace-fossils of trilobites, as well as linguoid ripple marks near the top of the Graafwater Formation of the Table Mountain Group (TMG). Approaching the Lower Cable Station, the hike passes talus fans below the cliffs of the Western Table, upon which the Upper Cable Station has been constructed. The group will go up Table Mountain via the CableWay to follow narrow tracks along the sub horizontal surface of the Western Table. The group then hikes eastwards to the top of Platteklip Gorge, where there is a short, chained, steep section beside cross-bedded pebbly sandstones of the Peninsula Formation of the TMG. Ascending from the top of the Gorge to the sub horizontal Central and Eastern Table, the group then strikes out for the summit, Maclear's Beacon, atop an outlier of the glaciogenic Pakhuis Formation and then returns to Platteklip Gorge via a glaciogenically folded sandstone bed.

Day 3 – 8 September
West Coast National Park and West Coast Fossil Park led by Professor John Compton
Quaternary coastal environments of the West Coast will take you approximately 100 km north of Cape Town to explore the many different coastal environments along the west coast of South Africa from Table Bay to Langebaan Lagoon. We will see modern beach, rocky headland, salt marsh, lagoon and sand dune environments and compare them with Pleistocene deposits including aeolianite and calcrete. We will visit the West Coast Fossil Park which is located in an old phosphorite mine and includes a spectacularly exposed fossil bone bed around 5 million years old. The depositional environments will be discussed in terms of gradients in coastal energy (waves and wind), sediment supply and sea-level fluctuations on Holocene (10,000 year) and glacial/interglacial (100,000 year) timescales. Excursion is also suitable for non-geologists as there are many interesting plants and birds to view in addition to the sediments and rocks!

Items included:
Transfers
Lunch packs & beverages
Entrance fees

Dinner is at leisure

Accommodation bookings:
On bed & breakfast basis
5 – 8 September: Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town

Cost: R 8 200 per person

Requirements:
Hikers must be fit and wear appropriate gear, especially boots
No rock hammers please, but hand lens and a camera will be useful
Maximum number of participants: 20
Minimum number of participants: 5

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

PPC Cement Factory Tour

Tour Leader: Maggi Loubser

Date & Time: Tuesday, 2 September

Description of the Tour:

PPC Ltd. has a long history within South Africa; it was established in 1890 in Hercules, Pretoria. PPC is the leading supplier of cement in Southern Africa through eight cement manufacturing facilities and three milling depots in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe that can produce around eight million tons of cement products each year. PPC also produces aggregates, metallurgical-grade lime, burnt dolomite and limestone. In 1908 it declared its first dividend and by 1910 it was listed on the stock exchange.

09:00-10:00 Departure for PPC Cement Factory

10:15-10:30 Welcome: tea to be served

10:30-12:00 Tour of the Factory

12:00-13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:00 Departure from PPC Cement Factory and return to Sandton Convention Centre

Registration: Delegates for the day trip will be able to register for the tour at the main entrance to the Sandton Convention Centre, Maude Street, Level 0, 30 minutes prior to departure. Maggi Loubser will collect you. Each delegate will receive a name badge. Please ensure that you display your name badge at all times for security and control purposes

Parking: Parking is not included in the registration fee and needs to be settled on the day of departure. Parking tickets will be able to be purchased at the Sandton Convention Centre Management Offices (VIP North Side) on Level 1 at a cost of R 31.00 per car per day. Payments can be made by cash or credit card.

Food & Beverage: A light lunch and refreshments will be served

SGS Lab Tour

Tour Leaders: Annegret Lombard and Louis Coetzee

Date & Times: Tuesday, 2 September 13:00 – 17:00

Description of Tour:

SGS Laboratories has earned the reputation for applying the same ethical principles, procedures and quality standards in our mobile laboratories that we do in our own on-site and commercial laboratory facilities. Our mobile laboratories allow you to access trusted, third-party laboratory services in locations that might not otherwise support full laboratory facilities.
Allowing SGS to locate, equip, staff and operate a mobile laboratory on your project site, no matter how remote, will ensure that you benefit from our full scope of capabilities. SGS mobile laboratories provide fast turnaround and the complete, accurate, geochemical or assay data that you need to effectively run and optimize your operations.
You gain a competitive edge when you take advantage of SGS's mobile laboratory services. By choosing SGS's mobile laboratory services, you will:

• Benefit from fast turnaround and accurate, reliable geochemical and assay data
• Take advantage of SGS's globally recognized technical expertise and quality management program audit
• Avoid project delays due to construction of a more permanent testing facility
• Reduce shipping delays
• Focus on the core aspects of your operation
• Allocate your financial and staff resources more effectively to free up capital, staffing or shipping
• Gain flexibility - our mobile laboratory service allows you to choose the testing program that best suits your needs
• Take advantage of our expertise and experience in real time, at the remotest location

When you choose an SGS mobile laboratory, you get globally recognized geochemical data at your doorstep. Contact us to see how you can take advantage of our extensive lab subcontracting expertise and experience anywhere in the world.

13:00-13:45 Departure from Sandton Convention Centre: Arrival at SGS Booysens

13:45-14:00 Welcome

14:00- 16:00 Tour of SGS Laboratories

16:00-17:00 Departure from SGS Laboratories and return to Sandton Convention Centre

Registration: Delegates for the day trip will be able to register for the day trip at the main entrance to the Sandton Convention Centre, Maude Street, Level 0 30 minutes prior to departure. Please board the vehicle timeously. Each delegate will receive a name badge. Please ensure that you display your name badge at all times for security and control purposes

Food & Beverage: A light lunch and refreshments will be served. Bottled water will be available

Cradle of Humankind

Taking place on 30 August 2014

Tour leader: Bonita de Klerk

We will do some exploring of the Cradle of Humankind which is only an hour's drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Cradle is world famous for its fossil finds and a well-known visitor destination

Trip will start at Maropeng which is the official Visitor Centre for the World Heritage Site. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years.

Here you will get an introduction to Hominin Evolution and more importantly what it means to be Human.

Our next stop is only 15 minutes away at the Sterkfontein Caves. This site represents the longest running Archaeological Excavation in the world. The Sterkfontein Caves are owned by the University of the Witwatersrand, whose scientists have been responsible for the main excavations of the World Heritage Site. They are credited with many of the famous discoveries including the world famous "Mrs Ples" and "Little Foot", an near complete Australopithecus skeleton dating back to about 3-million years.
The tours at the Sterkfontein Caves, which start above ground and then take visitors deep into the caves.

Wits Gold Mine

Itinerary to be finalised. Details to follow

Geology of the Early Earth – the Barberton Greenstone Belt

Taking place on: 6 - 12 September 2014

The Barberton granitoid-greenstone terrain in South Africa represents a classic site of Archaean geology in which the nature and processes of early Earth history may be investigated. Many issues pertaining to Archaean geology, such as crust-forming processes, geodynamics, greenstone-hosted gold mineralization, Archaean atmosphere and seawater composition and the origin of life have been extensively studied in this area. The excursion route for this trip will cover prime exposures where the evidence for these processes can be examined. It will also visit drill sites of the ICDP-funded Barberton drilling project. One day of the trip will be to the Kruger National Park situated to the north of the Barberton greenstone belt.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Route - Johannesburg - Badplaas - Tjakastad - Badplaas

08h30                  Pick-up delegates in Johannesburg, leave not later
                             Drive to Badplaas
                             Overnight in Badplaas (Aventura Resort or Cradle of Life Resort)

Stop 1.1              Tjakastad water reservoir and stream section
                            Overview of the geology of the Onverwacht Group
                            3.5 Ga volcano-sedimentary sequence of the Theespruit Formation

Stop 1.2 Granite-greenstone relationships west of Tjakastad (several stops possible in Stolzburg pluton)

Evening lecture:Overview of the geology and tectonic evolution of the Barberton greenstone belt

Day 2: Route - Badplaas - Tjakastad - Badplaas

Stop 2.1 Inflated flow of vesicular komatiite; Komati Formation

Stop 2.2 Komati Formation at Spinifex Stream

Stop 2.3 Middle Marker chert, contact between Komati and Hooggenoeg Formations.

Day 3: Route - Badplaas - Songimvelo Nature Reserve (Kromdraai Camp) - Songimvelo Nature Reserve (Main Camp) - Badplaas

Stop 3.1 Komati River section, Songimvelo Nature Reserve
3.4 -3.3 Ga clastic sedimentary rocks, carbonaceous cherts and basalts of the Hooggenoeg and Kromberg Formations

Game Drive in Songimvelo Nature Reserve

Day 4: Route - Badplaas - Msauli - Barberton

Stop 4.1 Josefsdal Chert

Stop 4.2 Manzimnyama Jaspilite
Jaspilitic banded iron formation of the 3.2 Ga Fig Tree Group

Stop 4.3 Siliciclastic rocks of the Fig Tree Group

Stop 4.4 Barite Valley Syncline
Barite, impact spherule layers, bedded cherts and chert dykes, contact between the Mendon Formation (Onverwacht Group) and the Fig Tree Group

Stop 4.5 Moodies Group on Bulembu Road

Day 5

Option 1: Fig Tree/Moodies Group and gold mineralization
Route - Barberton - Sheba Mine - Barberton

Stop 4.1 Sheba Mine, Golden Quarry, visit of core shed?, Sheba Formation of the Fig Tree Group

Stop 4.2 Sheba Creek, Eureka Syncline
Tidal sandwave deposits of the Moodies Group

Stop 4.3 Northern limb of Eureka Syncline
Basal conglomerate of the Moodies Group

Stop 4.4 Northern limb of Eureka Syncline
Sandstone, shale, BIF of the Moodies Group

Option 2: Cherts of the Onverwacht Group
Route - Barberton - Montrose – Barberton

Stop 4.1 Buck Reef Chert
3.45 Ga felsic volcanic rocks and banded cherts at the contact between the Hooggenoeg and Kromberg Formations

Stop 4.2 Msauli Chert
Accretionary lapilli, altered ultramafic rocks and chert dykes at the contact between the Mendon Formation and the Fig Tree Group

Day 6: Route - Barberton - Malelane - Skukuza

Visit Kruger National Park

Day 7:

Return to Johannesburg via Johannesburg `international Airport for arrival in the afternoon (4 pm)

Cost: R25 500 per person

Included:
- Accommodation: 6 - 11 September
- Trip transfers
- Daily meals & beverages: 6 - 12 September
- Game drive

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates.

3. Cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 May 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 31 May and 31 July 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. Cancellations received after 31 July 2014 will not receive a refund.

7. All refunds are subject to the approval of the Organising Committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel a tour.

Pilanesberg Alkaline

Taking place on: 29 - 31 August 2014

Tour Leader

Jock Harmer

ITINERARY

Day 1 of the excursion will focus on the Bulhoek Kop intrusion - one of three petrologically indentical dolomite carbonatite intrusions distributed over kilometre that are loosely grouped as the Bulhoek Complex. Bulhoek forms part of the widespread period of alkaline and carbonatitic magmatism that affected the Kaapvaal Craton in the middle Proterozoic (ca 1400Ma). Bulhoek is petrogenetically significant in that well-preserved magmatic features are preserved that leave little doubt that the intrusions formed from successive pulses of magnesian carbonate magma that crystallised dolomite at low crustal pressures.

The remaining two days will be devoted to exploring the geological features of the Pilanesberg Alkaline Complex - one of the few (and the second largest) agpaitic peralkaline nepheline syenitic intrusives know. Both saturated adn undersaturated syenite intrusives are represented and underlie a thin, but aerially extensive, drape of volcanics and volcaniclastics of trachytic composition:
No volcanic equivalents of the undersaturated syenites have been found. Topographically, the Pilanesberg Complex forms a series of annular rings that trace the arcuate ring dyke/cone sheet pattern of the intrusives - the current erosion level is close to the volcanic/sub-volcanic interface.

Much of the Pilanesberg Complex now lies within a game reserve hosting a wide range of indigenous fauna - including the Big Five! Support of the park management has been secured to allow the excursion to visit outcrops of all the major units of the Pilanesberg including the rare, eudialyte-bearing aegirine foyaites also called "lujaurites".

Cost: R8,000 per person

Minimum participants: 10
Maximum participants: 35

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates.

3. Cancellations must be received in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Any refunds issued will be subject to approval by the organising committee.

5. Cancellations received before 30 May 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

6. Cancellations received between 31 May and 31 July 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

7. No refunds will be issued after 31 July 2014.

8. In the event that the tour is cancelled by the organisers, a full refund will be issued.

9. A decision will be made as to whether the tour will go ahead or not by 31 March 2014.

10. All participants will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to participating in the field trip.

11. All participants are to take out their own personal insurance cover for general travel insurance, personal liability, medical cover and dangerous activities cover. A copy of confirmation of insurance must be submitted to the organisers prior to participating in the tour.

12. The organisers reserve the right to change or cancel the field trip if necessary.

Northern Bushveld

Taking place on: 28 - 30 August 2014

ITINERARY

Day 1, Saturday

Early departure from Johannesburg, to Mookgopong (Naboomspruit) area.
Afternoon visit of fluorite mine to observe mineralisation in Nebo Granite of Bushveld Igneous Complex

Day 2, Sunday

Visit outcrops of mafic unit of the northern limbo Bushveld Igneous Complex

Day 3, Monday

Morning visit of the old tin mine north of Mookgopong to observe mineralisation of Nebo Granite
Afternoon drive back to Johannesburg

Cost: R 4 750-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport with refreshments
Accommodation
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Min Number of participants: 10
Max number of participants: 35

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates.

3. Cancellations must be received in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Any refunds issued will be subject to approval by the organising committee.

5. Cancellations received before 30 May 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

6. Cancellations received between 31 May and 31 July 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

7. No refunds will be issued after 31 July 2014.

8. In the event that the tour is cancelled by the organisers, a full refund will be issued.

9. A decision will be made as to whether the tour will go ahead or not by 31 March 2014.

10. All participants will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to participating in the field trip.

12. The organisers reserve the right to change or cancel the field trip if necessary.

Big 5 & Big 5

Taking place on: 24 – 31 August 2014

Tour Leader:

Johan Krynauw

ITINERARY

Day 1 - 24 August

06h00 - 07h30 Depart from Misty Hills. Arrival at Cullinan Diamond Mine
07h40 Change house and safety briefing.
08h00 Presentation – Overview of mine geology, geotechnical issues and block caves.
09h00 Depart for underground visit – view kimberlite contacts and block cave sequencing
11h00 Return to surface,
11h30 Change and surface visit – view open pit and diamond hub
13h00 Lunch in the Cullinan game farm and a tour of the historical points of interest in Cullinan village.
16h00 Depart from Cullinan Diamond Mine for Misty Hills

Day 2 - 25 August

05h30 Visit to Goldfields South Deeps mine depart Misty Hills
07h00 Arrive at Twin Shafts, South Deep, Light breakfast in boardroom. Introduction and safety presentation, Projects Boardroom, Twin Shafts.
07h30 Change into underground gear, Twin Shafts change house
08h00 Underground visit to 95 1W, with TM3 Production crew
11h00 Change from underground gear, Twin Shafts change house
11h30 Short presentation by MRM department, Projects Boardroom, Twin Shafts
12h30 Lunch in boardroom
13h00 End of visit, and return to Johannesburg

Day 3 - 26 August

06h00 Departure from Misty Hills for Anglo Platinum Paardekraal Shaft - Rustenburg
07h00 Arrival at the RPM Sport Club. Welcome, refreshments and video
07h30 Travel to Paardekraal Shaft,
08h00 Change for underground visit
08h15 Underground at Paardekraal Shaft
11h15 Surface, shower and change
11h45 Travel to RPM Sport Club
12h15 Lunch
13h30 Departure for Thabazimbi

Day 4 - 27 August

08h00 Departure Komma Nader Guest House for Surface visit to Thabazimbi iron ore mine

Day 5 - 28 August

07h30 Depart Impala Hotel drive to mine
08h00 Visit to Phalaborwa carbonatite copper mine
Overnight at Phalaborwa Guest House

Day 6 - 29 August

Travel to the Kruger National Park
Overnight at Satara Rest Camp, Kruger Park
20h00 - 22h00 Night game drive

Day 7 - 30 August

Day at Kruger National Park
Overnight at Satara Rest Camp, Kruger Park

Day 8 - 31 August

Return to Johannesburg (Sandton ICC) via the 'panoramic route'

View Field Trip Map

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA 2014 delegates.

3. Cancellations must be received in writing and emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Refunds will be granted at the discretion of the organising committee.

5. Cancellations received before 30 May 2014, will be refunded less a 10% administration fee.

6. Cancellations received between 31 May and 31 July 2014 will be refunded 50% of the tour price.

7. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 31 July 2014.

8. In the event that the tour is cancelled by the organisers, a full refund will be issued.

9. A decision will be made as to whether the tour will go ahead or not by 31 March 2014.

10. All participants will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to participating in the field trip.

12. The organisers reserve the right to change or cancel the field trip if necessary.

Olifantspoort Late Iron Age Pb-Cu Mine and visit to Microbrewery

Taking place on: 6 September 2014

Tour Leader

Graham Reeks

Arrive at mine approximately 1.75 hrs from Johannesburg. Walk from car/bus deposit point would be about 400m, slightly uphill but easy walk. The deposit is a vein deposit exposed over about 100m although the vein has been traced on surface for about 0.6 km. It has been the focus of a recent mineralogical study by me and this has resulted in a substantial number of minerals being found and described from the site. Although a copper mine, it also contains a large quantity of lead minerals.

Collecting will be possible and allowed. The tour will outline the known archaeological history of the site and what it was worked for, along with the geology and mineralogy of the deposit.

The site is visited every year by one of the local mineral collecting societies and is the focus of ongoing mineralogical and archaeological research by Graham Reeks.

The tour to the mine will be completed by a visit to the Brauhaus brewery and restaurant, located on the shore of the Olifantspoort Dam, for a light lunch.

Cost: R 800-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Refreshments
Lunch
Brauhaus Tour
Mine information article

Min number of participants: 10
Max number of participants: 35

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Exxaro Mineralogical Laboratories, Pretoria:

Taking place on: 5 September 2014

The laboratories are situated on the outskirts of Pretoria and form part of the Research and Development Division of Exxaro Resources Ltd. They function as the in-house mineralogical resource for a company whose prime interests lie in the mining of coal, iron ore, heavy minerals and associated commodities such as chars and cokes and as such, applied mineralogy plays a major role as a supporting function for metallurgy. As a result the equipment in use and on display includes 3 Qemscans, one of which is used for the investigation of coal, char and coke, a Panalytical XRD machine and Panalytical XRF instrument. This instrumentation is supported by sample preparation equipment such as milling and sample splitting equipment, polishers and coating machines as well as thin sectioning equipment.

Being a coal mining company, specialised techniques for preparing polished coal blocks for the Qemscan and other petrographic procedures are routinely in use. Various microscopes are available in the microscope laboratory. These include petrographic microscopes for reflected and transmitted light microscopy, a specialised motorised stage for image analysis of cokes and chars, stereomicroscopes and a coal petrographic microscope system for maceral quantification and the rank determination of coals. Three of the mineralogists are internationally certified coal petrographers.

Cost: R 400-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Refreshments

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Lonmin Platinum Mine Field Trip

Taking place on: 29 August 2014

Tour Leader

Johan de Villiers

Merensky Reef bottom contact

Geology and Operation:

The underground mine and concentrator is owned and operated by Lonmin and is the third largest platinum producer in South Africa. It mines and processes ore from the Merensky Reef and UG-2 chromitite layers of the Bushveld Complex.

The underground mine visit will include the Merensky Reef and UG-2 exposures and will provide opportunities for seeing the layering in the sequence. Pothole features can also be seen where the normal layering is interrupted by cross-cutting features.

The mine visit will be followed by a visit to the concentrator where the ore is beneficiated from 5 g/tonne to approximately 150g/tonne. Large flotation cells in series are used to recover platinum group minerals with an efficiency approaching 90%.

Visitors will have to be briefed about safety in the mine and concentrator. The visit will last most of the day.

Cost: R 750-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Packed lunch
Refreshments on the coach

Min number of participants: 15
Maximum number of participants: 20

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Wonderkop Chromite Mine and Smelter Field Trip

Taking place on: 28 August 2014

Tour Leader

Johan de Villiers

Loading chromite ore underground

Geology and Operation:
The underground mine is operated by Glencore Xstrata and the chromite ore is mainly from the LG-6 chromitite layer of the Bushveld Complex. Two chromitite layers are processed in the smelter facility which consists of 4 semi-enclosed electric arc furnaces fed by two pelletising plants.

The chromitite layers occur in the lower part of the critical zone of the Bushveld Complex and the layers are up to 1m thick. The mineralogy is relatively constant consisting of predominant chromite, with minor plagioclase and orthopyroxene.

The friable ore chromite is beneficiated, and mixed with a binder to produce pellets and fired in grate furnaces. The pelletised ore is then smelted in submerged arc furnaces to produce a ferrochrome product
and a slag which is discarded.

The trip will involve a visit to the mine and smelter facility.

Cost: R 750-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Packed lunch
Refreshments on the coach

Min number of participants: 15
Maximum number of participants: 20

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Vametco Vanadium Mine

Taking place on: 27 August 2014

Tour Leader

Johan de Villiers

Outcrop of the Main magnetite layer

Geology and Operation:
The mine is situated on the Main magnetite layer at the base of the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex. It is operated solely for the extraction of vanadium from the magnetite, and the final product is vanadium nitride.

The Main magnetite layer is a massive cumulate consisting of magnetite containing approximately 2% V2O5 at its base, decreasing progressively upwards. The magnetite is intimately intergrown with ilmenite which contains negligible vanadium. Mining is by opencast methods and after crushing and milling, the magnetite is extracted using magnetic separation. The concentrate is then roasted with sodium carbonate and the sodium vanadate extracted by water washing. The vanadium is converted to ammonium vanadate and finally to vanadium pentoxide, which is then roasted to produce vanadium nitride.

Mineralogists can collect excellent samples of coarse-grained magnetite, containing spectacular microscopic intergrowths as well as samples of disseminated magnetite.

It is an easy trip and outcrops can be reached by normal vehicles.

Cost: R 750-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Packed lunch
Refreshments on the coach

Min number of participants: 15
Maximum number of participants: 20

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

The Richest Views on Earth

Taking place on: 31 August 2014

Tour Leader

Grant Cawthorn

This excursion is of general interest for visitors to South Africa, not just specialist earth scientists. We show where the greatest goldfields and platinum and chromite fields were discovered and mined, and recount the history of the area. We drive in a coach to a vantage site overlooking Johannesburg and explain the history and the Witwatersrand Supergroup rocks.

We then drive across the ancient granitic gneiss complex and through the Transvaal Supergroup rocks to Hartbeestpoort Dam. The cable car will take you to the top of the Magaliesberg Quartzite for a vantage view over the western Bushveld Complex and its platinum and chromite mines. Lunch can be purchased at the cable car restaurants & is for delegate's own account.

08:00 Departure from Sandton ICC
18:00 Return to Sandton ICC

Accommodation bookings:
N/A

Namibian Pegmatites and Industrial Minerals

Taking place on: 6 - 12 September 2014

Tour Leader(s)

Judith Kinnaird, Paul Nex and Gabi Schneider

The pegmatites and industrial mineral deposits to be visited during this excursion in central Namibia are but a small example of the wealth of minerals available in the country. During the field excursion participants will have the opportunity of visiting several pegmatites from zoned Li types to tourmaline-bearing, see a marble works and salt industry, visit a uranium deposit, a wollastonite industry, a monazite-bearing carbonatite dyke and experience the wonders of the Crystal Gallerie

ACCOMMODATION VENUES

AMEIB RANCH

Ameib is a superb holiday paradise, meaning "The Green Face" offer many safari opportunities. Photographers will discover the challenging scenes amongst sculptured rocks and the breathtaking landscape. Those interested in Namibia's history will delight in the discovery of rock art and paintings. The highlight is the White Elephant in the Phillip's Cave, a superb example dating back hundreds of years. The walking trails over the ranch offer game spotting and the study of indigenous birds from close-up. As you daydream around the sparkling pool or the camp, the outside world passes by; you will really appreciate Ameib, natures' beautiful paradise.

BEACH LODGE SWAKOPMUND

Located 50-metres from the oceanfront and featuring a roof terrace with a pool, Beach Hotel Swakopmund offers bright, airy accommodation with a balcony and modern décor. There is à la carte restaurant, sun terrace and a bar. The stylishly furnished rooms and apartments are equipped with air conditioning,

The Large rooftop terrace has a swimming pool, cocktail bar and stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean, the Namib Desert and the city centre. The National Marine Aquarium and Swakopmund Lighthouse are within 2 km away. Local activities include swimming and horse riding.

ITINERARY

Day 1, Saturday
Arrive                     Windhoek
Travel                     Windhoek-Okahandja-Karibib-Usakos
Accommodation Usakos area: Ameib Ranch
Karibib marble works, Karibib mineral shop, Erongo scenery/walk

Day 2, Sunday
Travel Usakos-Karibib
Accommodation Usakos area: Ameib Ranch
Rubikon pegmatite, Otjua pegmatite

Day 3, Monday
Travel Usakos-Karibib
Accommodation Usakos area: Ameib Ranch
Usakos wollastonite, Usakos tourmaline mine, Otjua tourmaline Eureka carbonatites

Day 4, Tuesday
Travel Usakos-Karibib
Accommodation Usakos area: Ameib Ranch
Navachab gold mine and metamorphic minerals

Day 5, Wednesday
Travel Usakos-Spitkoppe-Henties Bay-Swakopmund
Accommodation Beach Lodge Swakopmund
Klein Spitzkoppe dimension stone quarry, mineral dealers on main road, Coastal salt pans

Day 6, Thursday
Travel Swakopmund-Rossing
Accommodation Beach Lodge Swakopmund
Rossing uranium mine, rose quartz locality
Crystal Gallerie, or Swakopmund sightseeing

Day 7, Friday
Travel to Windhoek for return flight to Johannesburg

Minimum participants: 15

Maximum participants: 20

A decision will be made whether this tour is taking place or not by 31 May 2014.

Cost: R19 000

- Persons to have correct currency prior to trip
- Persons are responsible for their own visa & travel insurance
- Persons to ensure they have the required vaccinations before entering South African & Namibia, depending on their country of origin or place of travel prior to the conference

Tswaing Meteorite Crater

Taking place on: 7 September 2014

Tour Leader

Dion Brandt

Some 220 000 years ago a stony meteorite, the size of half a football field, slammed into the earth's crust. The impact formed a huge crater, 1.13 km in diameter and 200 m deep known as the Tswaing Meteorite Crater. It is situated 40 km to the northwest of Pretoria and is one of the best-preserved meteorite impact craters anywhere in the world. This bowl-shaped crater is located in the southern portion of the 2 050 million year old Bushveld Complex. The near-circular Tswaing Crater is well preserved and displays various geological features typically found at such craters including breccia, PDFs, and glass spherules.

For much of the 20th century a controversy raged over the origin of the Tswaing Crater. Two genetic hypotheses were proposed: a volcanic, and a meteorite impact origin. However, drilling into the crater centre in 1988/89 revealed a large number of spherical, ovoid and dumb-bell shaped glass fragments, diaplectic quartz and feldspar, and abundant evidence of shock metamorphism, finally revealing the origin of the Tswaing Crater. In addition the drill core provided evidence of the palaeoclimatic record since the time of the cratering event.

Sunday 7 September
08:00 Depart Johannesburg from Sandton ICC 10:00

Arrive at the crater
Introduction at the museum
Drive to gate on southwestern edge of crater area
Visit the crater (2-3km walk)

14:00 Return to picnic site for lunch
15:00 Return to Johannesburg

Items included:
Coach
Lunch packs & beverages
Entrance

Accommodation bookings:
N/A

Min number of participants: 10
Max number of participants: 30

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and are at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Local Wits Geology (Central Rand) - Geology, Mining, history and Environment Tour

Taking place on: 31 August 2014

Tour Leader:

Morris Viljoen

The uppermost Elsburg conglomerate and associated southward dipping quartzite overlain by the Ventersdorp lava forming the Klipriversberg range to the south.

In the valley the historic (1893) red roofed mansion of Johannes Petrus Meyer, after whom Johannesburg was reputedly named, is seen.

Cost: R 750-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Packed Lunch

Refreshments

Min number of participants: 10
Max number of participants: 35

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Ceramic Factory Field Trip

Taking place on: 3 September 2014 - afternoon (during the conference)

Tour Leader: Luisa Ashworth

Date & Times: Tuesday, 2 September 12:30 to 16:00

Description of Tour:

12h30: Departure from Sandton City for Betta Sanitaryware Factory

The ceramic factory field excursion aims to introduce geologists to the practical applications of industrial minerals, such as feldspar, quartz, and kaolinite, in the ceramic industry. The factory to be visited is Betta Sanitaryware, the dominant supplier of sanitaryware in sub-saharan Africa, with close on 50% market share in the region. The factory is highly automated, and makes use of the high pressure casting methodology, which contributes to a reduced wastage factor and consistency in casting. Our visit will be to the production plant where we will be shown the step-by-step process of sanitaryware production.

15h00: Departure from Betta Sanitaryware Factory

16h00: Arrival at Sandton Convention Centre

Registration: Delegates for the day trip will be able to register for the day trip at the main entrance to the Sandton Convention Centre, Maude Street, Level 0, 30 minutes prior to departure. Each delegate will receive a name badge. Please ensure that you display your name badge at all times for security and control purposes

Food & Beverage: A light lunch and refreshments will be served. Bottled water will be available

Special Notes: Please ensure that you have a form of Identification on person (Identity Book: Passport or Birth Certificate)

Cost: R 400-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Refreshments

Min number of participants: 7
Max number of participants: 15

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Argent Mine Tour

Taking place on: 30 August 2014

Tour Leader:

Graham Reeks

The Witwatersrand gold rush of the late 19th century is well documented. It is, however, a little known fact that during the same time period there was also a rush to prospect and peg claims for silver bearing deposits of lead and copper in the greater Pretoria region. A journalist in 1889 described it as the ‘Pretoria Silver Belt.’ There were approximately twenty-five active mining ventures around Pretoria in the 1890s; some were more successful than others. They attracted the attention of many of the gold Randlords and became additional investment areas for their venture capital. After the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, new speculators took an interest in many of the old mines although by the outbreak of the First World War, in 1914, all mining had ceased. In 1919, General Mining Corporation de-watered the most successful of all of the mines dating from the 1890s – the ‘Argent mines’, which are situated approximately 40 km east of Springs. They restructured and re-equipped the surface operation and deepened the largest of the mines at Argent. In 1928 the mines closed for a second time due to the falling price of silver. The mines of the area were to see a further resurgence of interest in the 1950s and 1970s when a consortium of three mining companies – Goldfields, Anglo American and General Mining re-prospected and reopened some of the mines.

The tour will start at the site of the 1890s reduction works and prospecting trenches then progress to the main shaft. Then we will visit the boiler house and progress to the various crushing and ore bin stations to the site of the 1920s tube mills, concentrating plant and reduction smelting plant. On the way you will see the waste rock dump, slimes dams and the slag dump. The processes used in the 1890s and 1920s will be explained along with details of the unique mineralogy of the silver mine. The tour will last about 4 – 4,5 hours, collecting of specimens will be possible. Bring own hammers and bag. Wear strong shoes or boots.

The tour will present the history, reduction process and mineralogy of the Argent mine. Ultimately, through its 114 years of history, the industry was to produce approximately 93 tons of metallic silver, along with thousands of tons of associated lead, zinc, copper and antimony.

This is a 1 day tour approximately 120km east of Johannesburg. It is highway most of the way JHB- Witbank highway with a 3 km good dirt road at the end to get to the mine site. The area is flat farmland and the walk is about 2 km long around the mine ruins. It takes approximately 1 – 1,3 hours to get to the site from Johannesburg. It will be possible to collect samples of the mineralised slags, which contain some very rare species in micro form. The vein will also be exposed so that it can be seen on the surface and samples collected.

Cost: R 750-00 per person

Cost Includes:

Transport
Refreshments
Lunch

Min number of participants: 10
Max number of participants: 35

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued to cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. Refunds are subject to the approval of and at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to cancel or change this tour.

Witwatersrand Golden Geology

Taking place on: 6 September 2014 PM

Tour Leader

Gavin Whitfield

This easy one-day field trip focuses on the important geological formations of the Witwatersrand and the history of gold discovery. It starts at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden west of Johannesburg where you can walk through the unique Geological Rock Garden and explore the Geological Trail.

We then drive across the Witwatersrand to stop at George Harrison Park to see the discovery outcrop of the Main Reef conglomerate. On the way we pass the site of the Confidence Reef, the first important gold discovery on Witwatersrand. Then on to Gold Reef City where you will do the "Jozi's Story of Gold" tour including going 220 m underground down the original Crown Mines No. 14* shaft, followed by seeing a pour of molten gold at the 1890s mining village. (* subject to availability)

08.00 Depart Sandton CC for Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Krugersdorp); explain regional geological setting on the way
09.00 Arrive WSNBG and move to Geological Rock Garden; walk towards waterfall. Show Fred Struben's 1885 map and explain prospecting
09.30 Arrive at waterfall and explain local geology with short presentation; climb to top of waterfall to see view and explain Witwatersrand geology
10.30 Depart Garden for George Harrison Park; stop outside Kloofendal Nature Reserve on the way for short presentation on the Confidence Reef
11.30 Arrive at George Harrison Park in Langlaagte and see Main Reef conglomerates; short presentation on site to explain historic discovery and new mining development
12.30 – 13.00 Arrive at Gold Reef City Theme
13.30 Short presentation on historic Crown Mines; proceed to tour office to start guided Heritage Tour. Will include U/G visit to No. 14 Shaft and gold pour; and local museum if it is open
16.00 Depart GRC for Elsburg Conglomerates at Ridgeway (time permitting)
17.00 Depart for Sandton Convention Centre via M1
17.30 – 18.00 Arrive at Sandton Convention Centre

Items included:
Coach
Lunch packs & beverages
Gold Reef City Entrance fees
Accommodation

Min number of participants: 10
Max number of participants: 30

Terms and Conditions:

1. Participation will be confirmed on receipt of payment.

2. Preference will be given to registered IMA delegates and accompanying persons.

3. All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Cancellations received before 30 June 2014 will receive a full refund less a 10% administration fee.

5. Cancellations received between 1 July and 15 August 2014 will receive a 50% refund.

6. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 15 August 2014.

7. All refunds are subject to the approval of and are at the discretion of the organising committee.

8. The organising committee reserves the right to change or cancel this tour.

Vredefort Dome

Taking place on: 30 - 31 August 2014

Tour Leader

Prof. Dr. Wolf Uwe Reimold and Roger Gibson

This excursion will examine the rocks of the upper and middle crust of the Kaapvaal craton exposed in the Vredefort Dome, which is the southwest eroded central uplift structure of the world's largest and oldest known impact structure. In addition, formidable explosures of deformation phenomena caused by the impact (i.e. shatter cones, pseudotachylitic breccias, and impact melt rock) will be examined. Besides some cultural aspects of this World Heritage Area.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION VENUES:

SUNWA RESORT

Situated on the banks of the Vaal River, 10 km’s outside Parys and 120 km’s south of Johannesburg.

SunWa has gone to great lengths to utilize the beautiful environment of the Vaal River and to create a Conferencing, Accomodation and inhouse run teambuilding venue where tranquility and hospitality are paramount.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – 30 August
08:00 Depart from Sandton ICC
Viewpoint on Mponeng Gold Mine (Mine Hospital site) – panoramic view of the central Witwatersrand region (optional stop)

Stop at Sunwa Lodge to drop off luggage/short rest stop
Kopjeskraal alkali granite with impact deformation
Booysens Shale – prime shatter cone site
Amazon Reef - Witwatersrand gold mineralization in upper Witwatersrand Supergroup quartzite
Schoemansdrif shatter cones at the Vaal River weir (optional)
Kommandonek cordierite-andalusite hornfels and associated metamorphosed lithologies of the lower Witwatersrand
Time permitting, stop at Leeukop Hill quarry with massive pseudotachylitic breccia (sundowner on quarry berm overlooking the northwestern Vredefort Dome
18:30 Return to Sunwa Lodge by dusk (approximate time)
19:30 Dinner

Day 2 – 31 August
08:00 Depart Sunwa
Salvamento quarry (upper crustal granite gneisses and pseudotachylitic breccias)
High-grade metamorphic rocks of the mid-crust around Steynskraal
And near the Inlandsee pan (innermost part of the Vredefort Dome)
Hatthingsrust – if accessable (i.e., demanding dry roads), Archean komatiitic basalts with pillow lavas and shatter cones
Vredefort Granophyre on Daskop Farm – impact melt rock with San petroglyphs
19:00 Return to Sandton ICC; approximate arrival time

Requirements for Participants
Appropriate shoes for field "work"; while the vicinity of exposures are accessible by vehicle, there will be a number of short hikes to investigate scattered exposures. Bring a warm jacket, as it cannot be entirely excluded that a cold front might bring some wind and possible even some rain. On the other hand, even on a clear and cool day, sun protection is a must!

Items included:
Transfers
Packed lunch & beverage
Dinner & beverages

Accommodation booking:
On bed & breakfast basis
30 August: Sunwa Lodge

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