Talk at the Hartbeespoort Cableway station & on top happening on 14 August 10h30 for 11h00 in the conference centre. Program below.

10h30: We meet at Harties Cableway station in the Conference room.
No need to purchase Cableway tickets as it will all be handled in the Conference room.
 
11h00: Mike Benn MACH business.
 
11h05: Introduction of Morris & Richard Viljoen
 
11h45: Proceed up the Cableway, estimate 30 minutes to take 60 guests up to the top.
On arrival at top, follow path to read the plaques describing local features and history
 
12h30: Reassemble at top, and then split into two groups.
One group gathering at the middle of the Southern walkway. Richard Viljoen will speak 30minutes
One group at the middle of the Northern walkway. Morris Viljoen will speak 30 minutes
Speakers will give an overview of the geoheritage features
 
13h00: Groups then swap around for a further 30 minutes  to have receive talks on both North & South sides of Magaliesberg geology
 
13h30: Optional. Guests can return down to Hero’s Restaurant for refreshments at own expense, or  stay on top to enjoy views, food etc.
 
14h00:  Optional. Join for food & refreshments at Hero’s restaurant.
 
Guests can depart as they wish.

• Bookings: Mike 071 382 5905 or mike@meerhoflodge.co.za
• Payment for cable car ticket R125.00. Pay in conference center
• Refreshments and food for own expense

Prof. MORRIS VILJOEN

Morris Viljoen is a geologist who began his career in the mining minerals industry before becoming Professor of Mining Geology in the Department of Geology, University of the Witwatersrand. He is currently Professor emeritus in the Dept. He completed his Ph.D. on the geology of the ancient ultrabasic rocks of the Barberton Mountain Land where he and his twin brother Richard Viljoen discovered and described a new class of primitive volcanic rock in the Komati river valley. The rock called Komatiite has subsequently been found in the ancient shield areas of all the continents.

Morris has published more than seventy papers in scientific journals worldwide and has contributed numerous chapters to books as well as co-authoring a book entitled: An Introduction to South Africa’s Geological and Mining Heritage Sites. He is a Fellow of Geological and Mining Societies both locally and internationally.

Morris is currently a consultant to VMI and Bushveld Minerals companies involved in mineral project development. Current interests include the documentation and promotion of geological and mining heritage of South Africa for geotourism.

He has recently been involved as a reviewer, editor as well as contributor to two books brought out as legacy projects of the 35th. International Geological Congress recently held in Cape Town. These books are entitled: Africa’s Top Geological sites and The Great Mineral Fields of Africa. He is currently finalizing a book on the Geology of the Kruger National Park entitled: Earth-Link in the Kruger Park as a topic for a future talk.

Hon Prof. RICHARD VILJOEN
 
Richard Viljoen spent most of the first 10 years of his career in academia obtaining his honours, MSC  and  Phd. Degrees in geoscience from the University of the Witwatersrand. During his Phd studies in the Barberton Mountain Land he, together with twin brother Morris Viljoen, was responsible for the discovery, description and naming of an important new class of volcanic rock called Komatiite.

He spent the following thirty years in the mining industry initially, as a research geologist with JCI and subsequently as chief consulting geologist for Gold Fields of South Africa’s. Richard was appointed as an honorary professor at Wits in 1998. In 2008  was a co-founder of a junior mining company, VM Investments which now includes two AIM listed companies, Bushveld Minerals and Afritin.

He has published over 60 scientific papers and was responsible for the publishing of two books, one on the Great Minerals Fields of Africa and the other on Africa’s top geological sites. Both publications were released at the 35th International Congress held in Cape Town, of which he was a co- President.