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School of Physical and Mineral Sciences

Department of Geology and Mining

Prof. Hasani Chauke

Mrs MTD Rapholo

HOD: Geology and Mining

Welcome Message

The Department of Geology and Mining seeks to broaden the horizons of everyone who enters into our programmes.  Geology is an all-encompassing science that provides avenues of application for all spheres of physical science.  Join our community and learn to unravel the secrets of the development of the 4.54-Billion-year-old Earth or even how the 13.8-Billion-year-old universe formed.  Learn how to understand the inner workings of the Earth, how volcanoes work and why mountain ranges form, and why they exist where they do.

Travel with us as you learn to understand how time is measured without a clock, what fossils can tell us about the past, and how the “Principle of Uniformitarianism” explains how an understanding of the forces and processes acting on the Earth’s surface today provides understanding of how the many of the Earth’s rocks formed.

Apart from an in-depth grounding in the more academic aspects of the science, our curriculum also aims to provide a strong foundation for those wanting to pursue a career in one of the many commercial areas that fall under the umbrella of Geology. 

Geology is not only the basis of numerous careers in the mineral exploration and mining industries, but also underpins many other areas of work such agriculture, ecology and engineering.  We strive to instil professional attitudes and habits into our students to prepare them for success in their careers after their studies conclude.

On behalf of the staff and students of the Department of Geology and Mining we invite you to become part of our family, expand your mind and move towards an invigorating and enjoyable career.

DEPARTMENTAL RULES & PROGRAMMES

The department has the following main programmes.

Departmental Rules

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Undergraduate Programmes

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Postgraduate Programmes

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Staff & Departmental Committees

Academic Staff
Mrs MTD Rapholo Position: Lecturer (HoD) Research Interest
  PhD Candidate (UJ) – In progress, PGDHET (UFH), MSc, BSc (Hons) (UL), BSc Earth Science (SU)
  • Environmental Geology, Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM), Water Quality and Natural Resource Management and the Sustainable utilization of major natural resources, such as land, minerals, and water.
Email: maropene.rapholo@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 3089
Location: M- Block.Office number: -1009
Prof NQ Hammond Position: Associate Professor Research Interest
  BSc (Hons) Geology (Ghana), MSc Geology (Tokyo), PhD Geology (RU)
  • Genetic aspects of ore deposits
  • Gold mineralization in Precambrian terrains
  • Platinum-group elements (PGE) mineralization
  • Hydrothermal REE deposits
  • Fluid inclusion geochemistry of hydrothermal fluid systems.
  • Application of isotopic systematics (carbon, oxygen, sulphur, and Strontium) as natural tracers in hydrothermal fluid systems.
  • Geo-metallurgy
Email: napoleon.hammond@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4025
Location: Q-Block, Office number: 0047
Prof ZA Tessema Position: Associate Professor Research Interest
  BSc (Hons) Geology and Geophysics (Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia), MSc in Exploration Geophysics (Indian Institute of Technology, India), PhD  Exploration Geology and Geophysics (WITS)
  • Targeting mineral deposits using geological, geochemical, and geophysical data.
  • Numerical modelling of groundwater flow and contaminant transport, the use of isotopes and hydrochemical data for investigation of the origin of groundwater, age, and its distribution in the Earth’s crust.
Email: abera.tessema@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4124
Location: M-Block Basement, Office number: -1008
Prof C Baiyegunhi Position: Associate Professor Research Interest
  BSc (Hons) Geology and Mineral Sciences (Unilorin, Nigeria), BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD Geology (UFH)
  • Stratigraphy, Clastic sedimentology, Basin analysis, Fossil fuels and Exploration Geophysics
Email: christopher.baiyegunhi@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4883
Location: C- Block.Office number: 0002
Prof F Sengani Position: Associate Professor Research Interest
  PhD Mining Engineering (Rock Engineering), MBA (General), MSc Eng (Rock Engineering), BSc (Hons) Mining and Environmental Geology, Rock Mechanics Certificate (Strata Control), Mine Seismology Certificate, Professional Rock Mechanical Scientist (Pri.Sci.Nat).
  • Numerical Simulation, Rock Mechanics, Structural Geology,

Rock Engineering, Tunneling Design, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Mine Planning, Mine Seismology, Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimation, Structural Mapping,
Structural Analysis and Synthesis, Geotechnical Assessments, Safety and Health Analysis, Resource Management
Email: fhatuwani.sengani@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 3036
Location: M-Block Basement, Office number: -1010
Ms E Denge Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc (Hons) Geology (UFS), MSc Geology (UL)
  • Fossil Fuels, Coal Geology and Petrology, Industrial Minerals and Geotechnical Investigation
Email: elelwani.denge@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4064
Location: M- Block. Office Basement Office  Number: -1006
Mr S Masango Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc, BSc (Hons),  MSc, PhD – In progress
  • Geochemistry, Physical Volcanology, Petrology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Email: samson.masango@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 5432
Location: House 3, Office number: 0006
Mr M Khanyi Position: Junior Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc Geology (UP), BSc (Hons) Geology (UP)
  • Geology and Geochemistry of the Bushveld Igneous Complex and Limpopo Metamorphic Belt.
Email: moosa.khanyi@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4325
Location: House 3, Office number: 0003
Mr T Nemanashi
 Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc (Geology and GIS & Remote Sensing), BSc (Hons) Geology, MSc Geology (UFH)
  • Sedimentology, Basin analysis, Reservoir characterization, Geochemistry, and Petroleum geology.
Email: tshisikhaiwe.nemanashi@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 3739
Location: M- Block,  number: 1010
Ms NC Ramakoloi Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc Physical Sciences: Geology
and Chemistry, BSc (Hons) Geology, MSc Geology (UJ), PGCE: Cum Laude (UNISA)
  • Ore deposits, geochemistry, and

mineralogy of the various metals and their genesis. Petrology, petrography,
and mineral chemistry of
Kimberlites.
Thermobarometric studies
of Kimberlites and related
rocks.
Email: ntshebo.ramakoloi@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4757
Location: House 3, Office number: 0004
Ms KA Ramakadi Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc (Hons), MSc (UL), PGDHET (UFH) Email: kgoetja.ramakadi@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4034
Location: M-Block Basement, Office number: -1001
  • Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Agricultural Geology
Mr F Nkanyane Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  PhD (Geology) candidate – In progress
MSc (Geology), BSc (Hons) (Geology), BSc (Geology) (UL) Email: fumani.nkanyane@ul.ac.za
Tel: 015 268 4843
Office no: M-basement (-1010)
  • Geotechnical Geology, Engineering Geology, Mining Geology, rock mechanics and Structural Geology.
Ms MJ Marweshi Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  PhD (Geology) candidate– In progress, MSc (Geology), BSc (Hons) (Geology), BSc (Geology) (UL) Email: manare.marweshi@ul.ac.za
Tel: 015 268 3779
Office no: M-basement. Office number:1010
  • Numerical modelling of groundwater flow and contaminants transport, Water quality monitoring and water management plan.
Ms AM Nailana Position: Lecturer Research Interest
  PhD (Geology) candidate– In progress, MSc (Geology), BSc (Hons)  (Geology),
BSc (Geology) (UL) Email: anastasia.nailana@ul.ac.za 
Tel: +27 15 268 3614
Location: House 3. Office number: 0007
  • Platinum-group elements (PGE) mineralization, gold mineralization
Mr NP Mabala Position: Junior Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc (Hons) Geology, BSc Geology (UL)
  • Gold prospectivity mapping and exploration.
  • Igneous petrology and petrography.
Email: nare.mabala@ul.ac.za 
Tel: +27 15 268 3605
Location: House 3. Office number: 0005
Ms SG Molomo Position: Junior Lecturer Research Interest
  BSc (Geology), BSc (Hons)  Geology (UL) Email: selaki.molomo@ul.ac.za 
Tel: +27 15 268 3738
Location: House 3. Office number: 0005
  • Economic geology of Witwatersrand basin. Characterisation of ore mineralisation, differentiation of the Gold and Pyrite ore
  • Sedimentology (Coal and Shale sediment maturity and its provenance)

 
Dr TL Baiyegunhi Position: Postdoctoral Fellow Research Interest
  BSc (Hons) Geology and Mineral Sciences (Unilorin, Nigeria), MSc Geology(Mineral Exploration) (NSUK Keffi, Nigeria), PhD Geology (UFH) Email: temitope.baiyegunhi@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 2326
Location: M- Block. Office number: -1010C
  • Rare Earth Element Analysis, Fossil Fuels, Sedimentology, Basin analysis, Geochemistry and Petroleum geology
Support Staff
Mrs BM Marape Position: Secretary
  National Diploma in Management Assistant, Nkangala TVET college
Email: brenda.marape@ul.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 268 4729
Location: M-Block Basement, Office number: -100
Mr S Monyayi Position: Senior Laboratory Technician
  BA (Hons) Public Admin (Unisa), Sample Preparation  in Materialography Certificate _IMP, Laboratory Safety Certificate _ Alec Cameroon
Email: solani.monyayi@ul.ac.za
Tel: 0768547940
Location: Q Block
Departmental Committees

Departmental Management Committee

Mrs MTD Rapholo
Prof NQ Hammond
Prof AZ Tessema
Dr F Sengani
Ms NC Ramakoloi

Departmental Assessment Committee

Mrs MTD Rapholo
Ms NC Ramakoloi
Prof NQ Hammond (Interim Chair)
Prof AZ Tessema
Dr C Baiyegunhi

Departmental Research Committee

Mrs MTD Rapholo
Prof NQ Hammond
Prof C Baiyegunhi (Interim Chair)
Prof AZ Tessema
Dr F Sengani

Departmental Excursion Committee

Mrs MTD Rapholo
Mr M Khanyi (Interim Chair)
Dr F Sengani
Prof AZ Tessema
Ms E Denge
Mr Masango
Ms Molomo Selaki
Ms Manare Marweshi
Mr Fumani Nkanyane
Ms Anastasia Nailana
Mr Nare Mabala
Mr Tshisikhaiwe Nemanashi

Departmental Community Engagement and Marketing Committee

Mrs MTD Rapholo
Ms E Denge (Interim Chair)
Ms KA Ramakadi
Prof C Baiyegunhi
Mr S Masango
Ms Molomo Selaki
Ms Manare Marweshi
Mr Fumani Nkanyane
Ms Anastasia Nailana
Mr Nare Mabala
Mr Tshisikhaiwe Nemanashi

Departmental Health and Safety Committee

Mrs MTD Rapholo
Ms KA Ramakadi (Interim Chair)
Mr S Monyayi
Ms E Denge
Ms Molomo Selaki
Ms Manare Marweshi
Mr Fumani Nkanyane
Ms Anastasia Nailana
Mr Nare Mabala
Mr Tshisikhaiwe Nemanashi

Honours Research Coordinator

Dr F Sengani

CONTACT DETAILS

HOD: Geology and Mining

Mrs MTD Rapholo
Tel: +27 15 268 3089
Email: maropene.rapholo@ul.ac.za

Secretary

Mrs BM Marape
Tel: +27 15 268 4729
Email: brenda.marape@ul.ac.za