About  

 

The Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry (CMBG) is a leading research hub dedicated to developing nature-inspired solutions that support sustainable resource management and environmental resilience. Our work bridges scientific innovation with ecological insight to address global challenges in mining-agriculture coexistence, ecological engineering, environmental forensics, and nature-based solutions. At the CMBG, we believe that industrial progress and ecological integrity are not opposing forces but can advance together through research-driven strategies.
 

Our Story  

 

The CMBG was born from a vision: to bridge science and nature in a way that redefines how industries and societies interact with the environment. This journey began in 2019, when two pioneering research initiatives recognized their shared mission, merging the existing UFS SAENSE Platform with the newly established Mineral Node of the Biogeochemistry Research Infrastructure Platform (BIOGRIP). At the time, SAENSE was funded by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), while BIOGRIP received support from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).

Rather than working in isolation, Dr Robert Hansen (former BIOGRIP Mineral Node Manager) and Dr Mariana Erasmus (former SAENSE Manager and current BIOGRIP Mineral Node Manager) embraced the opportunity to merge expertise, resources, and ambition to create something more significant than the sum of its parts.

With this bold idea, they crafted a strategic framework for a new research centre at the University of the Free State (UFS) - one that would drive innovation, challenge traditional boundaries, and develop solutions that harmonize industrial progress with environmental resilience. In 2021, this vision became reality: the CMBG was formally established, receiving Rectorate approval in January and UFS Council ratification in March.

But a vision needs space to grow. To bring the CMBG’s mission to life, the former Biotechnology Annex was transformed into a state-of-the-art research facility. In this place, discovery fuels action, where science meets sustainability, and where the future of biogeochemistry is being reimagined.

Today, the CMBG stands as a beacon of interdisciplinary excellence, operating under the Dean of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and continuously expanding its scope. With every breakthrough, every partnership, and every innovation, we push the boundaries of what’s possible - ensuring that the wisdom of science and the resilience of nature shapes the landscapes of tomorrow.


Our Commitment  

 

natureAligned with UFS Vision 130, the CMBG is committed to academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global relevance. Our research drives transformative solutions that shape policy, empower industry, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Inspired by Nature, driven by Science, we are redefining how industries and ecosystems co-exist - where landscapes are rehabilitated, resources are managed responsibly, and people and nature thrive together.


A message from our Director  

Mariana Erasmus

Dear Colleagues, Collaborators, Stakeholders, Future Students and Friends,

It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce the Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry (CMBG) - a hub of interdisciplinary research dedicated to unravelling the complex interactions between minerals, microbes, and the environment. The CMBG was founded on a simple yet powerful belief: that science and nature, working together, can transform the way industries and societies interact with the environment. Our mission is to pioneer sustainable, nature-inspired solutions that bridge industrial progress with ecological resilience.

At the heart of our work lies a commitment to excellence in research, collaboration, and real-world impact. Our projects span both fundamental and applied sciences, integrating expertise from Geochemistry, Microbiology, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences to explore biogeochemical processes in natural and industrial systems. Through this, we contribute to responsible mining practices, bioremediation strategies, and the circular economy - ensuring that our scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for industry, policy, and society. Moreover, our work in environmental forensics allows us to trace pollution sources, assess ecological damage, and develop remediation strategies, reinforcing our duty of care to the environment. By bridging science and accountability, we strive to safeguard natural ecosystems and promote sustainable resource management.

As part of the University of the Free State’s Vision 130 strategy, the Centre is strategically positioned to align with institutional, national, and global priorities in science, innovation, and sustainability. Our partnerships with academia, industry, and government agencies, both national and international, foster a dynamic research environment where knowledge generation and application go hand in hand.

Beyond research and innovation, we recognize the importance of engaged scholarship. Science should not exist in isolation but be a shared endeavour that benefits society at large. Through outreach programs, public engagement, and capacity-building initiatives, we strive to empower communities with knowledge and practical solutions that enhance environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

We invite researchers, students, and stakeholders to join us in shaping a future inspired by nature, driven by science, and rooted in sustainability. Whether through collaborative research, postgraduate training, or industry partnerships, we are committed to making a lasting impact on both science and society.

With every innovation, we move closer to a world where sustainability is not just an ideal but a reality. I look forward to engaging with you as we push the frontiers of knowledge and impact together.

With resolve and purpose,
Dr Mariana Erasmus
Acting Director: Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry
University of the Free State


 


BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Elfrieda van den Berg (Marketing Manager)
T: +27 51 401 2531
E:vdberge@ufs.ac.za

QWAQWA CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Dilahlwane Mohono (Faculty Officer)
T: +27 58 718 5284
E:naturalscienceqq@ufs.ac.za

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