CAPE TOWN (miningweekly.com) – The International Geological Congress (IGC) in Cape Town has attracted more than 4 000 delegates from 120 countries and is anticipated to spark interest in all aspects of geology in Africa.
“This conference is not for South Africa alone, but all of Africa,” thirty-fifth IGC co-president Professor Richard Viljoen said.
The IGC has been held in various parts of the world since 1878. It is the second time it is being held in South Africa. The first time was 64 years ago.
One of the goals of this year’s congress is to integrate the earth sciences and economic sectors, especially agriculture and tourism, more closely.
The conference has also encouraged young scientists. Young, financially disadvantaged geoscientists have been attending the congress through the GeoHost programme, while the Young Earth Scientists Network has also sent a delegation to Cape Town.