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24 April 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Dr Jarlen Keet is excited about the various technological advancements in the field of geology that offer many benefits to researchers like herself, given that geology is an ever-evolving field. She received her PhD in Geology at this year’s April graduation ceremonies.

Dr Jarlen Keet, Lecturer in the Department of Geology at the University of the Free State (UFS), received her PhD qualification at the April graduation ceremonies of the university.

The title of her thesis is: A multi-isotope (S-Sr-Nd) investigation of the Flatreef, Northern Limb, Bushveld Complex: Petrogenetic implications and comparison with the Merensky Reef.

I hope that with my contribution, mining and exploration companies can improve their understanding of ore formation in the Bushveld Complex and globally
Flatreef the future of platinum mining in South Africa

With her thesis, she makes a significant contribution to understanding the formation and origin of the Flatreef in the northern limb and how it relates to the Merensky and Bastard units in the remainder of the Bushveld Complex – the world’s largest repository of platinum-group elements (PGEs) – which are widely used in various industries. Primary uses of PGEs include their application in LCD screens in the electronics industry, chemotherapy drugs and pacemakers in the medical field, and the production of catalytic converters that reduce harmful emissions from vehicles. 

She used isotopic data to show that the Flatreef is a correlation of the Merensky and Bastard rock units in the Bushveld Complex. Her findings also support evidence suggesting that the Main Zone was not the source of PGEs in the Flatreef, and by extension the Merensky Reef, which goes against previous beliefs.

According to Dr Keet, the Flatreef, located south of the town Mokopane, represents the future of platinum mining in South Africa.

Importance of research on the mining industry

She believes the importance of mining PGEs in South Africa is undeniable. 

“Research on our mineral resources is therefore important to our mining industry. The better we understand our PGE deposits and how they formed, the better ore models we produce, and the more we can improve on our exploration techniques and mining methods. I hope that with my contribution, mining and exploration companies can improve their understanding of ore formation in the Bushveld Complex and globally,” says Dr Keet, who was introduced to research on the Bushveld Complex during her honours project, which focused on the Merensky Reef. “I have been hooked ever since.”

Driven to excel by her inherent desire to always be her best and motivated by gratitude, Dr Keet plans to establish herself as a young scientist in her field in the next five years by supervising MSc projects and publishing more articles.

News Archive

Art2 + x [science] = 2 continents fused
2014-04-02


Left: Diamandini by Dr Mari Velonaki. Right: 'Muslim Hairdrying' by Cigdem Aydemir.

Mzanzi resistance art is set to fuse with Australian interdisciplinary art in an experimental ‘boiling pot’ – right here on our Bloemfontein Campus.


Program for Innovation in Artform Development (PIAD)

Kovsies and the Vryfees forged a highly-innovative link between South African and Australian artists by establishing the Program for Innovation in Artform Development (PIAD). Together we are embarking on a three-year collaboration to see what happens when experimental and community arts are fused.

The project includes intercultural laboratories, art and science exchange programmes, public forums as well developing and presenting experimental art.


Art(ist)s meet science(tists)

For the first time, two Australian artists will visit our Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences in an exchange programme. The one is Dr Mari Velonaki, director of the Creative Robotics Lab at the University of New South Wales. The other is Dr Nigel Helyer, an honorary research fellow at the SymbioticA biotechnology lab at the University of Western Australia.

Dr Velonaki will explore new links between humans and computers that are community orientated. She will work closely with Prof PJ Blignaut and the Department of Computer Science and Informatics. In turn, Dr Helyer will investigate genetic coding and intercultural musical compositions. He will collaborate with Prof J Albertyn at the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology.

Vryfees 2014 and 2015 will also see contemporary and highly-experimental works from renowned Australian artists Cigdem Aydemir and Jess Olivieri. In addition, the festival will present OPENLab – a new national laboratory for early and midcareer artists and creative practitioners interested in making art in the public realm.

The programme is the result of a close partnership between the Vryfees and Situate Art in Festivals, managed by Salamanca Arts Centre in Australia (www.situate.org.au).

It also enjoys the support of:

  • Australia Council for the Arts;
  • NSW Artists Grant Scheme administrated by the National Association of the Visual Arts LTD;
  • Situate Art in Festivals;
  • National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and
  • Modern Art Project SA.

For more information on Piad visit www.vryfees.co.za or https://www.facebook.com/pages/PikoPiad/1435158293383474.

 

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