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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

Prof Johan Spies learns about much more than genetics in Argentina
2014-04-23


People who attended the course enjoyed Argentina and its traditions very much.

Prof Johan Spies from the Department of Genetics visited Argentina, where he and Dr Carlos Acuna (Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina) presented a course for doctoral students and staff of Cerzos-Conicet Bahia Blanca (something like the equivalent of South Africa’s NRF) and Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia Blanca. Prof Spies presented chromosomal evolution and its effect on fertility, while Dr Acuna took care of apomixis.

Bahia Blanca is a city with a population of almost the same as that of Bloemfontein. The city lies at the mouth of the Naposta River, which almost forms a delta where it flows into the sea. Bahia Blanca (white bay) derives its name from the salt deposits that lends a white colour to the beaches.

The people are very friendly and one soon learns to extend a long arm in greeting. Otherwise you are stuck with an ‘Ola’ while men and women alike will grab even a complete stranger to plant a kiss on your cheek. For people who places great value on personal space, this friendly gesture is not always as welcome!

Barbeque is a choice dish and is usually in the form of beef rib. “It was great (especially if you shut your eyes and ignore the scrumptious fat and future heart attacks)! With the rib they usually had blood sausage and very tasty pork sausage on the grid. Everywhere people are sipping, through a silver straw, their ‘mate’ (pronounce maty), a type of tea made from the leaves and stems of Yerba paraguariensis. It is generally drunk from a special calabash ‘cup’ through a silver straw, which also serves as sift to keep the leaves from your mouth. The calabash is usually passed from one person to another, with each person taking a sip from the brew!  It is even passed around in class!  Another thing in conflict with the upbringing I received from my mother (as is the cup at communion)!,” says Prof Spies.

“My short visit also taught me that the Argentinians are a proud nation that often faced adversity in the past. Nevertheless, they do not try to change their past. Street names even refer to dates from their past when, for example, they were attacked by England (in 1807). Only the almost 30 000 people who disappeared under the military regime, are rarely talked about!,” says Prof Spies.

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