If you ask
Prof John Carranza, Professor in the
Department of Geology at the University of the Free State (UFS), when geology first caught his attention, he does not start with a grand moment or a dramatic field expedition. He goes back to a classroom in the Philippines in 1977, when he was a teenager. Something in those geology lessons stayed with him. It nudged him towards a BSc in Geology, then into exploration work, and eventually into a career that has taken him from the Philippines to the Netherlands, then to Australia, and now to the UFS.
Celebrating his accolade, Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, said, “Prof John Carranza's achievement reminds us that lasting impact is built not only through discovery, but through dedicated service to one's discipline and community. Excellence in research is amplified when paired with generosity in mentorship. Prof Carranza exemplifies both. I am proud to see our UFS scholar recognised globally for advancing geochemistry while remaining deeply committed to teaching and knowledge-sharing.”
A lifetime of service
The Silver Medal is not a research prize – it is given for service – and in Prof Carranza’s case, that service stretches across 17 years. He has been a Councillor, Vice-President, President, and now Chair of the Governance Committee of the AAG. When he talks about the award, he does not list achievements. He goes straight to the principle that guides him. “One of my favourite mottos or principles, which I live by, is that it is better to serve than to be served,” he says. “The AAG awarded me the Silver Medal in recognition of my dedicated service to it, and for my extraordinary time and energy to advancing its affairs.”
There is something steady and grounded in the way he says this. No embellishment. No self promotion. Just a clear sense of responsibility to a field he cares about.
Prof Carranza’s career has always revolved around understanding mineral systems and finding better ways to interpret geological and geochemical data. He describes the challenge of discovering mineral deposits as the spark that drew him into the field. Over the years, that spark has turned into a body of work that ranges from systematic geochemical surveys in the Philippines to widely cited publications and international awards.
But when you ask him what he enjoys most, he does not point to the awards. He talks about teaching. “Knowledge is useless unless it is shared,” he says. It is a simple line, but it explains a lot about how he works with students and why he invests so much time in supervision and mentorship.
Why his work matters
Economic geology and applied geochemistry might sound technical to people outside the field, but the implications are very real. Mineral deposits support industries and economies. Understanding their environmental impact protects communities. Prof Carranza’s research touches both sides of that equation.
His work naturally contributes to Responsible Societal Futures because it deals with questions that affect people’s well-being. How do we discover mineral resources responsibly? How do we assess environmental risks linked to mineral deposits? How do we use data intelligently to guide decisions that affect society? He answers these questions through research, teaching, and service. The medal simply acknowledges the consistency of that commitment.
In the Department of Geology, the recognition has been welcomed with genuine pride. Prof Bisrat Yibas, Head of Department, puts it plainly: “This recognition reflects Prof Carranza’s outstanding contributions to economic and applied geochemistry over many years. It is a fitting acknowledgement of his scholarship, dedication, and lasting contribution to our discipline.” The Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Paul Oberholster, adds his own message: “Well done, NAS is proud of you.”
Looking ahead
Prof Carranza continues to follow the professional mission he describes so clearly: “To develop and disseminate expertise in predicting mineral prospectivity and estimating undiscovered mineral endowment through an understanding of relevant mineral systems and the application of geographic information systems, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing technology.” Even though he no longer goes into the field himself, he enjoys developing new ways to analyse geological and geochemical datasets so that they can support mineral deposit discovery. As he puts it, the challenge of finding mineral deposits keeps him passionate about the work.
In the end, his work circles back to something simple: using knowledge well and sharing it generously. He enjoys developing new ways to analyse geological and geochemical data, and he enjoys teaching those methods just as much. It is a combination that keeps him moving forward, and it explains why this recognition feels so well-earned.
“From the Philippines to the University of the Free State, Prof Carranza's journey reflects the truly global nature of scholarship and discovery. His distinguished career is a reminder that the most enduring legacy of scholarship lies not only in what we discover, but in what we share with others – values that align so well with our aspirations to co-create responsible societal futures,” remarked Prof Vasu Reddy.