Geoscientific research institutes the Council for Geoscience (CGS) and the Geological Survey of the Netherlands (TNO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance integrated geoscience mapping, critical raw materials research and policy development as part of the South Africa-European Union (EU) Country Window launch, held on July 7 and 8 in Tzaneen, Limpopo.

The partnership between the two entities was expected to strengthen integrated geoscience mapping, improve its understanding of South Africa’s critical mineral potential and support policies that promoted beneficiation rather than raw material exports, CGS integrated geoscience development executive manager Dr Taufeeq Dhansay told Mining Weekly.

He noted that the growing global demand for critical raw materials, driven by electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, together with shifting geopolitical priorities, had increased the importance of securing reliable mineral supply chains.

“The EU has a certain demand for critical raw materials and that includes for metals and EVs. Their economy is based on the development of critical raw materials and producing various manufacturing products for the automotive and various other industries.

“With changing geopolitical agendas, there is a major rush for a constant supply of critical raw materials,” Dhansay says.

Against this backdrop, he highlighted that South Africa had significant untapped mineral resource potential but had not yet fully realised it, as comprehensive high-resolution integrated geoscience mapping had not been completed across the country.

“We accept that South Africa has not necessarily reached its full potential yet. This is largely predicated on the fact that we have not concluded high-resolution integrated geoscience mapping across the country.

“[However], we have now embarked on an integrated geoscience mapping programme and, as of last year, we have achieved 20% of the mapping across the country and what we have learned is that there is a large resource base that is yet to be untapped in the country, Dhansay adds.

He added that the EU recognised South Africa as an important destination for critical raw materials, making the partnership between the CGS and TNO particularly significant.

However, Dhansay stressed that South Africa's objective was not simply to export raw materials. Instead, the country aimed to expand beneficiation and downstream manufacturing by adding value to its mineral resources before export.

He added that the partnership was intended to align South Africa's development priorities with those of its international partners while supporting industrial development and job creation.

Moreover, Dhansay emphasised that this agreement was based on collaboration rather than one organisation training the other. Instead, the CGS and the TNO will benchmark their scientific methods and work together to improve geological mapping techniques, modelling capabilities and broader geoscience programmes.

Priority areas include integrated geological, geophysical and geochemical mapping, policy development related to CO₂ emissions, governance and supply chains for critical raw materials.

Meanwhile, Dhansay also noted that Limpopo was selected as the geological site for the accompanying field visit owing to the province combining strong geological potential with a development strategy that supported investment in geoscience, environmental management and mineral development.

“We believe Limpopo is very rich in natural resources and that the application of geoscience and supply of critical raw materials is ideal for the province’s socioeconomic development imperatives,” he says.

Dhansay also highlighted that discussions between the CGS and TNO had already been under way for about two years as part of a broader South Africa-EU partnership.

Following the signing of the MoU, the two organisations will immediately begin advancing joint work on geological data collection, processing and interpretation to identify future investment opportunities and support policies that promote both critical minerals development and beneficiation.