My research focuses on marine biogeochemistry, particularly the role of trace metals and dust inputs in ocean systems. I combine laboratory experiments using local South African dust and marine phytoplankton with global compiled datasets to examine how these factors influence phytoplankton productivity. This work helps improve understanding of how changing environmental conditions influence aquatic ecosystem functioning and supports more reliable predictions of future marine and air quality changes.

My research project focuses on improving how we understand and model mineral deposits by using advanced scanning technologies on drill core. In modern mineral exploration, especially for critical metals like copper, geologists increasingly rely on drill-core data because many deposits are buried and not visible at surface. However, traditional core logging can be subjective and may miss subtle mineralogical variations that are important for both exploration and processing.

This project primarily focuses on the application of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to scan porphyry copper drill core and generate high-resolution spectral data. Hyperspectral data enables the identification of minerals based on their interaction with light, providing detailed insights into mineral distribution and alteration patterns that are not always visible through conventional methods. To support and validate these interpretations, the study also incorporates complementary core scanning techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), which provides quantitative geochemical information. The integration of these datasets allows for a more objective and comprehensive understanding of the deposit.

The ultimate goal is to build a more reliable geological and geometallurgical model that links mineralogy to processing behaviour. This has important implications not only for improving resource definition, but also for optimizing how ore is processed once mined.

This research contributes to the growing trend of data-driven and quantitative geology. This approach uses multiple datasets together to reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making in the mining industry.

My research investigates the spatial controls on carbon and gold associations within the Carbon Leader reef of the Witwatersrand basin. By integrating historical datasets with 3D modelling, my study aims to identify the geological controls that governed the distribution of these Gold – Carbon associations. This work will improve understanding of gold deposition at the reef scale and contribute to more effective exploration and resource targeting in one of the world’s most significant gold deposits. By distinguishing between Multiple Au-C relations (e.g., seam carbon, flyspeck carbon, and gold barren carbon), the study will provide a more detailed framework for interpreting mineralization patterns of this reef.

My research investigates the environmental and toxicological risks of mercury (Hg) in airborne dust within the Saldanha Bay Municipal Area, a critical industrial and port hub in South Africa. By analysing the atmospheric transport and deposition of industrial dust, utilising BSNE samplers, ghost wipes, and ICP-MS analysis, I aim to quantify the health risk levels posed to local populations through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact. This work employs Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic sources, providing essential baseline data for terrestrial Hg contamination. Ultimately, this study supports the Minamata Convention and South Africa’s National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act by bridging the gap between industrial expansion and the protection of public health.

Study leader: Prof. Susanne Fietz

This study investigates the relationship between mineral chemistry, texture, and surface reactivity of lithium-bearing phases at Blesberg Mine, with a focus on spodumene. It examines how isomorphous substitution, particularly of Fe, Mn, and Cr, influences collector adsorption and surface hydrophobicity, which are critical for froth flotation performance. Using integrated geochemical and mineralogical techniques, including XRF, LA-ICP-MS, and SEM-EDS, the research characterises different spodumene varieties (grey-white, kunzite, and hiddenite) occurring within the same geological setting.

By combining this characterisation with adsorption experiments, the study aims to establish direct links between crystal chemistry and beneficiation behaviour. A key objective is to assess whether spodumene colour can serve as a reliable proxy for predicting flotation response and separation efficiency. The findings are expected to provide practical insights into ore sorting and beneficiation strategies for lithium pegmatites in Southern Africa.

This study focuses on the mineralogical, geochemical, and textural characterization of the UG3 chromitite reef within the Upper Critical Zone of the Bushveld Complex. Using integrated analytical techniques such as QEMSCAN, SEM-EDS, XRF, and LA-ICP-MS, the research aims to determine mineral composition, PGE distribution, and metal deportment. A key objective is to understand how these characteristics influence the geometallurgical behavior of UG3, particularly in comparison to the well-studied UG2 reef. Ultimately, the study seeks to provide insights int optimizing processing strategies for improved platinum group element recovery.

This study investigates the geological controls on copper mineralisation at the Okohongo deposit in northwestern Namibia, a region known for numerous sedimenthosted copper occurrences within the Kaoko Belt. The research focuses on understanding how stratigraphy and deformation interact to control the formation, distribution and timing of copper mineralisation.

The project integrates detailed geological mapping, structural analysis, geochronology and ore and alteration petrography to constrain the pressure-temperature conditions and timing of mineralisation and the relationship between stratiform and structurally controlled mineralisation styles. The aim of the project is to combine these datasets and develop a tectonohydrothermal model and a 3D geological framework of the deposit. The findings will contribute to improved exploration strategies for stratigraphic/structurally controlled copper systems in northwestern Namibia.

Study leader: Prof. Alex Kisters