EARTH SCIENCE
15
Charles Okujeni
Charles Okujeni is Professor of Geochemistry in and Chairperson of the Department of Earth Sciences at UWC. Research in the department is focused on the study of fundamental processes and the linkages between different components of the Earth system, and is broadly conducted under the headings of environmental water & science, and applied geology. Okujeni’s own research follows on from his PhD in exploration geochemistry, and his work as a research assistant with the Institute of Mineral Exploration at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. His research cuts across areas, from the geochemistry of the regolith (the layer of assorted material covering rock) in semi-arid and arid terrains, to element dispersion plumes, which looks at the patterns in which elements break up and are distributed. He also applies alteration and lithogeochemical vectors in the prospecting of concealed mineral deposits, and works with prediction tools and geochemical modelling for acid mine drainage (AMD). Current projects include work on the geochemistry of regolith associated with the platinum-group elements (PGE) in the Rooiport prospect in the Platreef, where he also looks at the geochemical controls associated with PGE and ore-rich base-metal sulphides. In addition, Okujeni studies the framework and geochemistry of regolith overlying the PGE mineralisation in the Stella Layered Intrusion, another major mining project. He also works on AMD prediction in the Randfontein Area,Wits Basin. Okujeni has graduated over 60 honours, 13 MSc and five PhD students, and currently supervises 10 MSc and two PhD candidates.
Russell BailIe
Dr Russell Bailie research activities are currently focused on two areas. The first involves petrological, geochemical and isotopic examinations to determine the nature, age, origin, structural and tectonic evolution of the metasedimentary and magmatic rocks found within an area known as the Proterozoic Namaqua Mobile Belt, mostly located within the Northern Cape Province. This region was subjected to both terrane accretion – in which rocks created elsewhere are deposited on the edges of continents through the movement of the earth’s plates – and continental collision. Researchers are also looking at a range of ore deposits. As part of this study, Bailey collaborates with the Council for Geoscience (CGS) on research in the Upington area, with plans to shift focus to the southwestern portion of the Namaqua Mobile Belt in a project with the CGS and Stellenbosch University. Five co-supervised master’s students form part of this research. The second research area involves examining the controls on base metal and platinum group element (PGE) mineralisation in the Platreef. Located in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex, this area is renowned as the world’s largest layered mafic magmatic complex – ie mineral-rich molten rocks and solids – with significant reserves of platinum and chromium. The aim is to characterise this mineralisation, and to develop key criteria that can be used to assist ore recognition and indicators of proximity to ore. There are currently six masters student’s, all co-supervised, working on various aspects of this project.