Cimera - DSI - NRF

16/06/2026

Happy Youth Day South Africa! Today we celebrate the young minds whose curiosity, resilience, and research are shaping the future of geoscience.

11/06/2026

📢Reminder: Contributions for the DSTI-NRF CIMERA Newsletter

Have you recently achieved a milestone, published a paper, attended a conference, completed fieldwork, received an award, graduated, started a new role, or simply have a story you'd like to share with the CIMERA community?

We're currently compiling the second edition of the CIMERA Newsletter and would love to feature updates from our students, alumni, researchers, and partners.

Your contribution can help celebrate achievements, showcase research, and keep our community connected.

Submission deadline: 19 June 2026

Please send a short write-up together with any relevant photographs to be considered for inclusion.

We look forward to hearing your stories and celebrating your successes.

Send a message to learn more

09/06/2026

📢 You voted. We listened.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent poll and helped shape the direction of the DSTI-NRF CIMERA Science Writing Competition 2026.

We're excited to announce that the winning theme is:

My Science in Your World

Science shapes far more than what happens in laboratories, lecture halls, and field trips. It influences the resources we depend on, the landscapes we live in, the water we drink, the energy we use, and the communities around us.

This year's competition invites students to explore the connection between geoscience and society through stories that are personal, creative, thought-provoking, and impactful. Thank you once again to everyone who voted, shared ideas, and engaged with the process. Your input has helped shape a competition that reflects the interests and experiences of our geoscience community.

Keep an eye on our channels over the coming weeks as we share competition details, writing inspiration, and opportunities to help you develop your story.

The conversation starts now.

My Science in Your World.

08/06/2026

DSTI-NRF CIMERA will be part of the supporting organisations for the 38th International Geological Congress (IGC 2028), which will take place in Calgary, Canada, from 12–20 August 2028 under the theme: Geosciences for Humanity.

As one of the world's premier geoscience gatherings, IGC brings together researchers, students, industry professionals, policymakers, and geoscience organisations from across the globe to share knowledge, build collaborations, and explore solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges.

The first circular has now been released, and the organising committee is inviting contributions towards:

• Scientific sessions

• Workshops and short courses

• Field excursions

• Future abstract submissions

The congress will feature themes spanning geoscience education, mineral resources, climate change, water, geohazards, artificial intelligence in geosciences, sustainable energy transition, geosciences in Africa, and much more.

We encourage South African researchers, academics, students, industry professionals, and geoscience organisations to get involved early and help ensure strong African representation at this global event.

Learn more and join the mailing list: www.igc2028canada.org

IGC 2028 Calgary: the 38th International Geological Congress—Geosciences for Humanity. Held every four years, this premier global Earth science conference will bring 6,000+ geoscientists to Calgary in 2028.

02/06/2026

2026 DSTI-NRF CIMERA SCIENCE WRITING COMPETITION

Science isn't only found in laboratories, journals, and research papers.

It's in our communities, our cultures, our everyday experiences, and the challenges shaping our future.

This year, we're reimagining the way we think about science writing and creating opportunities for our students to tell stories that connect science to people, society, and real-world impact.

Which theme would you be most excited to write about? Follow the link to vote in the polls and help us shape the next chapter of science storytelling.

💡 You don't need to be a professional writer to participate. Great science writing starts with curiosity, perspective, and a story worth telling.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dstinrfcimerasciencewritingcompetition26-ugcPost-7467489938079633408-EYAu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAB-L7rwB219GW2O8ijFECQ_OcpPukTdrgYk

2026 DSTI-NRF CIMERA SCIENCE WRITING COMPETITION Science isn't only found in laboratories, journals, and research papers. It's in our communities, our cultures, our everyday experiences, and the challenges shaping our future. This year, we're reimagining the way we think about science writing and cr...

21/05/2026

Welcoming another brilliant mind to the CIMERA Cohort!

We are proud to introduce Ayakha Komzi, an MSc Geology candidate at the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Geology, whose research focuses on the petrogenesis of mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the Goboboseb Mountains, Namibia, and their implications for Cu–Ni–PGE prospectivity.

Ayakha’s growing expertise in igneous petrology, geochemistry, process mineralogy, and economic geology is complemented by valuable industry experience gained through her work as a Mineralogy Intern at Mintek. Her passion for research and commitment to advancing geological sciences reflect the calibre of young researchers shaping Africa’s scientific future.

At CIMERA, we are excited to support Ayakha on her academic and research journey and look forward to the impactful contributions she will make in the field of geology and mineral research.

Please join us in welcoming Ayakha to the CIMERA community!

18/05/2026

The future of mineral and energy innovation starts with collaboration.

We are proud to invite academia, industry leaders, researchers, students, and partners to the DSTI-NRF CIMERA Annual Research Colloquium 2026 taking place on 16 - 17 November 2026 at the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, Johannesburg.

Join us for two days of cutting-edge research presentations, insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and collaboration shaping the future of integrated mineral and energy resource analysis.

We also welcome organisations interested in partnering with impact through sponsorship and collaboration opportunities.

12/05/2026

Fieldwork has a way of turning textbook knowledge into lived experience.

Kwame Fynn (PhD candidate) shared "The field work took about a month (Dec 2025 – Jan 2026) and was conducted as part of a sedimentological study of the Tarkwaian-type units within the Asanti and Bui belts. We started by examining outcrops in Tarkwa and surrounding areas before moving to Axim and Bui.

It was an incredibly fulfilling experience that deepened my understanding of the sedimentary environments and conditions that existed during the formation of these rocks, and how these processes played a critical role in gold mineralization, particularly within the Tarkwa region.

Beyond the technical insights, the experience also reinforced the value of field-based learning in connecting geological theory with real-world observations."

08/05/2026

At CIMERA, opportunities like these are exactly what make our work meaningful.

We are honoured to have supported Gabrielle van Heerden’s participation in the Short Course in SEM-Based Automated Mineralogy: Fundamentals and Applications in Geosciences in Freiberg, Germany.

Seeing both our students and researchers grow their expertise, build international networks, and engage with leading experts in the field is something we are incredibly proud of!

Congratulations, Gabrielle, on representing both CIMERA and South African geoscience so well.

06/05/2026

We’re excited to be a part of the Process Mineralogy and Geometallurgy of PGE-Reefs in the Bushveld Complex short course, taking place today at the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) at HZDR

Led by Prof. Bertus Smith from the University of Johannesburg, this “lunch-to-lunch” programme brings together MSc and PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and industry professionals for an in-depth exploration of:

• The geological framework of the Bushveld Complex and its ore deposits

• PGE reefs of the Rustenburg Layered Suite (RLS) — including geology, grade, mineralogy, and microfabrics

• Process mineralogy and geometallurgy of the Merensky Reef

• Process mineralogy and geometallurgy of the UG2 Reef and Platreef through applied case studies

This course reflects our continued commitment to advancing integrated mineral and energy resource analysis, while fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

Looking forward to two days of engaging discussions, knowledge exchange, and strengthening global research connections.