Global Network of National Geoparks

Workshop on Geoparks, Geological & Mining Cons & Tourism Dev in South Africa

Published :June 10, 2007

Friday 22nd June 2007

The Auditorium, Council for Geoscience, Silverton, Pretoria

The Conservation Committee of the Geological Society of South Africa
A WORKSHOP ON GEOPARKS, GEOLOGICAL AND MINING CONSERVATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

We are currently witnessing a world-wide awareness of the importance of conserving and promoting sites and regions of geological and mining interest for the tourism business while at the same time assisting with the development of the surrounding region. Regions or sites of geological interest and significance are currently conserved within national parks or as World Heritage Sites. A relatively new concept of Geoparks aims at promoting, in a holistic manner, regions of geological and mining importance as a means for developing a region. The UNESCO-assisted Global Geopark concept is working well but at this stage has mainly been developed in Europe and China (see www.unesco.org/science/earth/geoparks.html). The aim of this conference and workshop is to explore geoconservation and geopromotional activities and to debate their relevance to South Africa. A series of talks on geoconservation and geotourism will be presented followed by a discussion. Invited keynote speakers will include Dr Colin Prosser of English Nature and Professor Luo Songnian of the Taishan Geopark in China.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Conservation and geotourism minded groups and individuals from professional societies (particularly the GSSA and SAIMM) and the tourism industry; Government officials from relevant departments, e.g. Department of Environment and Tourism, Department of Education and the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry as well as from statutory bodies such as the Council for Geoscience and Mintek; Local government representatives and academics interested in the topic from universities and technical institutes interested in the topic.

REGISTRATION

Book for the GeoParks Workshop using the Registration Form. Submit the form to the Geoparks Conference Office, fax 011.728.1675 or email to geoparks@rca.co.za.

FIELD EXCURSION - Saturday 23rd June 2007

THE NORTHERN FLANK OF THE WITS BASIN - A PROPOSED URBAN GEOPARK

It is proposed that an urban Geopark be established on the exposed northern limb of the Witwatersrand basin, which hosts the world’s largest gold deposit. The moderate to steeply south-dipping strata of the basin are excellently exposed in the Johannesburg and West Rand areas and this will form the focus of the proposed Geopark and the excursion.

In addition to the geology and geological setting of the auriferous conglomerates, aspects of the archaeology, history (including mining history) and the environment will be examined and discussed. The suitability of the area for the development of South Africa’s first urban Geopark will also be discussed.

A bus will be arranged to take participants on this excursion. All participants will need to organise their own packed lunch and juice. Comfort stops will be taken during the day. You can register for this excursion on the Registration Form, booking is essential.

PLANNED ADDITIONAL FIELD EXCURSION

The following excursions are planned. Your expression of interest on the Registration Form will assist with the budgeting and final planning.

17th - 21st June 2007Southern Barberton Mountain Land & Southern Kruger National Park Geosites

24th June 2007Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site - geology and cave formation

25th June 2007Some Pretoria Geosites and the Tswaing Meteorite Crater

26th June 2007Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site and environs - geology & geosites

WORKSHOP ON GEOPARKS DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Programme Friday 22nd June

07:45 - 08:25Registration, tea & coffee

08:25 - 08:30Opening and welcome by the President of the GSSAKevin Pietersen

08:30 - 08:40Introduction by Chairman of the Conservation Committee of the GSSA Danie BarnardoCouncil for Geoscience

08:40 - 09:20KEYNOTE ADDRESSGeoconservation, people and Geoparks - learning from the UK and EuropeColin Prosser - English Nature

09:20 - 09:40Geosites, geoconservation areas and potential Geoparks in South Africa Morris ViljoenWITS University

09:40 - 10:00Conservation and promotion of mining heritage in South AfricaTom Main

10:00 - 10:30Tea & coffee break

10:30 - 11:00Taishan Geopark and management of Geoparks in ChinaLuo Songnian

11:00 - 11:20The role of gem and mineral collecting in promoting GeotourismHorst WindischGem & Mineral Club

11:20 - 12:00Some Geoparks of the UK and ChinaMorris ViljoenmWits University

12:00 - 12:20Geology and geosites of the Madikwe Game Reserve and Pilanesberg in the context of the new Heritage ParkRichard ViljoenWITS University

12:20 - 12:40The implementation of a management plan for the Vredefort Dome World Heritage SiteMelville SaaymanPotchefstroom University

12:40 - 13:00The northern flank of the Witwatersrand basin - a proposed urban geoparkTBA

13:00 - 14:00Lunch Break

14:00 - 14:30South African Geosites database & demonstrationRoger Price & Nols Smit

14:30 - 14:50Sponsorship opportunities for geological conservation through the GSSA Trust FundReinie MeyerGSSA

14:50 - 15:10A proposed strategic plan for Geoconservation, Geotourism and future Geoparks in South AfricaIntroduction by Naas Schutte

15:10 - 15:40A DISCUSSION on a strategy for the development of Geoparks, Geotrails and Geotourism in South Africa

15:40 - 16:00Tea and coffee break

16:00 - Closure

 

Short solicited and unsolicited presentations

Posters for display are invited

Poster 1 - Geology and geosites of the KNP - a case historyNaas Schutte

Sponsored byCouncil for Geoscience