Critical Raw Materials
Focus Area 5

Although the list of critical metals may vary from year to year and from country to country, it is recognized that some are in short supply. There are many elements of growing interest, such as indium and germanium, which have had little use historically. The major focus is on assessing those critical metals that are available in Africa.

Current Research:

  1. An integrated geochemical approach for investigating the composition and origin of the LCT pegmatite melts using fluid inclusions, trace elements, and isotopic analyses from the Namaqua Belt, South Africa.
    Dr Nonkuselo Madlakana
  2. The syenite and fenite of the Phalaborwa Complex: a source of critical metals?
    Prof. Marlina Elburg
  3. NYF pegmatites of the Namaqua Belt
    Prof. Marlina Elburg
  4. Investigation of geology, structural setting and copper mineralisation within the Musekwa Basalt Formation, Soutpansberg Group, Limpopo Mobile Belt, South Africa
    Dr Rejune Humbulani Mundalamo
  5. Rare Earth Element potential of the Western Unit of the Schiel Alkaline Complex, Limpopo, South Africa
    Prof. Marlina Elburg
  6. Geochemistry, age and economic potential of gem and coltan bearing pegmatites of Kenya
    Ass. Prof. Steffen Büttner
  7. Occurrence, distribution and concentration of rare earth elements (REEs) in the coal and coal ash from the Medupi coal-fired power station in the Limpopo Province, South Africa: Exploring a new resource for rare earth elements
    Ass. Prof. Christopher Baiyegunhi
  8. Innovative remote sensing for the exploration of critical raw materials
    Ass. Prof. Paul Nex
  9. Geological and geochemical characterisation of the occurrence of rare earth elements (REEs) in coal and carbonaceous shale at the Vele Colliery (Tuli Coalfield) in Limpopo Province, South Africa
    Ass. Prof. Christopher Baiyegunhi
  10. Geology, mineralogy and the occurrence of rare earth elements in the coal deposit at the Uitkomst Colliery (Utrecht Coalfield), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    Ass. Prof. Christopher Baiyegunhi
  11. Geochemistry and geochronology of mafic dykes from the Messina Mine in the Messina district
    Dr Linda Iaccheri