35^TH INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS

27 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER 2016 | CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Sponsorship & expo

Partners

International and Domestic Airline Partner

Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau

35^TH INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS

27 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER 2016 | CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

My IGC

Newsletter Signup

Supporters

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their generous support.

ORGANISATION	PROFILE
SPONSORSHIP: Keystone
	Exxaro is one of the largest South Africa-based diversified resources groups, with interests in the coal, titanium dioxide, ferrous and energy markets and current business interests in South Africa, Botswana, Republic of the Congo, Inner Mongolia and Australia. The company is the second-largest coal producer in South Africa with current production of almost 40 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), and is listed on the JSE Limited. Although our company is just eight years old, our pedigree and wealth of skills stretch back over decades as a company rooted in South Africa and respected among its peers for its innovation, ethics and integrity. Based on a well-executed strategy, solid returns, access to funds and quality resources, Exxaro is a unique listed investment opportunity into its chosen commodities. Exxaro was one of the top 10 mining companies globally in terms of total shareholder returns in 2012, and remains on track to add significant value to all stakeholders in the longer term.
	The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is one of the National Science Councils of South Africa and is the legal successor of the Geological Survey of South Africa, which was formed in 1912 by the amalgamation of 3 former Surveys. The Geoscience Act (Act 100 of 1993) established the CGS in its present form. The CGS is mandated to provide for the promotion of research and the extension of knowledge in the field of geoscience. Today, the Council is a modern institution, boasting excellent facilities and expertise, ranking among the best in Africa. The CGS provides the following diverse professional services: Engineering Geoscience Water Geoscience Environmental Geoscience Marine Geoscience Geological mapping Geophysics Geochemistry Seismology Minerals Development Information collection management Spatial Data management
SPONSORSHIP: Diamond
	Vale is a Brazilian-based resources company with a diversified global portfolio of iron ore, base metals, fertiliser, logistics, manganese and coal assets. The company is the world’s leading producer of iron ore, iron pellets and nickel. Vale’s mission is to transform natural resources into prosperity and sustainable development. The company employs more than 200,000 employees and contractors globally. Vale is actively undertaking exploration projects in the Americas, Australasia and Africa in alignment with the company’s mission, vision and values.
SPONSORSHIP: Gold
	AngloGold Ashanti, a gold mining company with a globally diverse, world-class portfolio of operations and projects, is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. AngloGold Ashanti is the third largest gold mining company in the world, measured by production. Our portfolio of 19 operations in nine countries, comprises long-life, relatively low-cost assets with differing ore body types located in key gold-producing regions. A number of these assets are strongly leveraged to energy costs and currencies. These operating assets are supported by greenfield projects in Colombia and a focused exploration programme. Our business activities span the full spectrum of the mining value chain and are concerned with the impact of our activities on the varied and many communities and environments in which we operate. Our goal is to create sustainable value for shareholders, employees, and social partners through safe and responsible mining practices and capital discipline. AngloGold Ashanti’s core strategic focus is to generate sustainable free cash flow by focusing on five key business objectives, namely: people, safety and sustainability; ensuring financial flexibility; actively managing all expenditures; improving the quality of our portfolio; and maintaining long-term optionality. AngloGold Ashanti has an attributable Ore Reserve of 51.7Moz of gold and an attributable Mineral Resource of 207.8Moz.
SPONSORSHIP: Silver
	Bushveld Minerals is an AIM-listed company exploring and developing projects on the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. The company targets projects that combine favourable cost-curve positioning, relatively low-capex and near term production profile, and potential for scale in well-understood geographies. Bushveld Minerals boasts an attractive portfolio of assets in 3 focused platforms: Bushveld Resources - a multi-commodity company housing the Vanadium Project and the P-Q Iron Ore and Titanium Project; Greenhills Resources - has a tin portfolio with a near-term production profile; and Lemur Resources - ASX-listed and owner of the Imaloto Coal Project in Madagascar, leveraging a strong balance sheet to develop new opportunities.
	Randgold Resources is an Africa-focused gold mining and exploration company listed on the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. Its mission is to create value for all its stakeholders through the discovery of multi-million ounce gold deposits and their development into sustainably profitable world-class mines. Its operations include Morila and the Loulo-Gounkoto complex in Mali, one of the largest of its kind in the world, the Kibali joint venture in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is managed by Randgold, and the Tongon mine in Côte d’Ivoire. In 2014, attributable production from its mines exceeded 1 million ounces. Randgold has extensive groundholdings in the gold regions of Western and Central Africa, exploration programmes across all these areas, and a large portfolio of targets and prospects.
	VM Investment Company ("VMIC") is a principal investments and corporate advisory company developing investment platforms in key growth sectors of the African economy, informed by a firm belief in the continent's rich resources and its potential to grow into a global economic powerhouse. VMIC targets investment opportunities in primary industries with relatively simple business models that offer significant scale opportunities. Given its team of principals' extensive experience in the natural resources sector, the company naturally has a preference for natural resource opportunities across the value chain - exploration, mining, mining services and beneficiation. VMIC was established in 2006 and since then has developed a portfolio of mineral exploration and beneficiation businesses in several commodity groups across Africa.
	Specialist foundation engineering equipment from the BAUER Maschinen Group is the global benchmark in the industry. Customers all over the world place their trust in the unmatched quality of Bauer machinery when it comes to buying rotary drilling rigs, trench cutters, duty-cycle cranes and drilling accessories. Together with their specialized subsidiary company, the group can offer the right equipment for nearly any foundation application. It ranges from pile drivers with diesel or hydraulic powered hammers, anchors, slurry mixing and separation, soil improvement and soil mixing. It also includes systems for well drilling and for blastholes, as well as systems for trenchless installation and rehabilitation of sewer and utility lines. Teams of civil engineers, foremen, operators and mechanics are ready for assisting customers of Bauer Maschinen in starting up complex projects and in training customer´s staff on their projects or in special training courses in the head office.
Business Centre Sponsor
	The Chamber of Mines of South Africa is a mining industry employers’ organisation that supports and promotes the South African mining industry. The Chamber serves its members and promotes their interests by providing strategic and advisory input.A key role of the organisation is to facilitate intersection among mining employers to examine policy issues and other matters of mutual concern to crystallise and define desirable industry standpoints. A variety of initiatives are in place to promote collaboration between members. Consultation and collaboration are voluntary and never encroach on the autonomy of members.The Chamber also acts as a principal advocate for mining in South Africa to government, communicating major policies endorsed by its members.A further vital function of the organisation is to represent some sectors in collective bargaining with organised labour.
SPONSORSHIP: Publications (Geoheritage of Africa)
	Acacia Mining plc (LSE: ACA) is Tanzania's largest gold miner and one of the largest producers of gold in Africa. We have three producing mines, all located in Northwest Tanzania: Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi, and North Mara and a portfolio of exploration projects in Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Mali. Our approach is focused on strengthening our three core pillars; our buisness, our people and our relationships in order to achieve our ambition of creating a leading African Company. Acacia is a UK public company, listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange with a secondary listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.
SPONSORSHIP: Social Function
	Nedbank is one of SA’s largest banks, with alliances and subsidiaries across Africa. Operating mainly from Johannesburg and London, Nedbank CIB provides financing solutions to junior, mid-tier & major mining companies with projects in Africa. M&A and specialist equity capital raising advisory services; capital goods financing using Export Credit Agency and other insurance products; trade finance, from product stockpile to the end customer, and commodity trading and structuring are also offered.
SPONSORSHIP: Plenary
	Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) is a gold-mining and exploration company, with more than six decades of experience. Harmony has operations in South Africa and in Papua New Guinea, one of the world’s most well-known gold mining regions and one of the world’s premier new gold regions respectively. Harmony produced 1.08Moz of gold and was South Africa’s third largest gold producer and the twelfth largest in the world in FY15.
SPONSORSHIP: Speaker Gift
	Nestled on the foothills of the majestic Helderberg Mountain, Eikendal is renowned for consistently producing quality wines and boasts an impeccable 34-year history of winemaking excellence. Our wines capture finesse and character, representing our fertile terroir, and can be enjoyed on any occasion! Spend a relaxing day tasting our award-winning wines or enjoying our Pizza & Wine Pairing. Try your hand at fly-fishing or enjoy a superb lunch at Giovannis. Indulge yourself in a luxury stay at our 4-star lodge, nestled among our vineyards. Come and enjoy the Eikendal Experience!
SPONSORSHIP: Post Graduate Fund
	Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) is a gold-mining and exploration company, with more than six decades of experience. Harmony has operations in South Africa and in Papua New Guinea, one of the world’s most well-known gold mining regions and one of the world’s premier new gold regions respectively. Harmony produced 1.08Moz of gold and was South Africa’s third largest gold producer and the twelfth largest in the world in FY15.
SPONSORSHIP: Registration
	The MSA Group, Africa’s leading mineral exploration consultant, provides Exploration, Geology, Regional mapping, Mining and Environmental Consulting services. MSA’s services range from targeting, geological mapping, geochemical sampling and initial assessment, to turn-key exploration and project management of exploration programmes, to Mineral Resource Estimation. Our Mining studies team undertakes Due Diligence studies and Valuations, Mine planning and Optimisation and Scoping and Feasibility Studies. MSA also provides comprehensive environmental consulting services across all industries. MSA routinely reports on all the major mining stock exchanges. MSA has attained ISO 9001 certification for quality, OHSAS 18001 certification for health and safety and SANAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for our diamond exploration laboratory.
SPONSORSHIP: Welcome Drinks
	Sibanye is an independent, South African domiciled and focused mining group, which owns and operates high-quality gold and uranium operations and projects. In line with Sibanye’s strategy, it entered into two separate transactions to acquire the platinum assets of Anglo American Platinum Limited’s Rustenburg Operations and Aquarius Platinum Limited in 2015.
SPONSORSHIP: Lunch Time Drinks
	Assmang Proprietary Limited is a company incorporated in the Republic of South Africa.The Company mines manganese ore at the Black Rock Mining Complex, iron ore at Khumani and Beeshoek Mines in the Northern Cape Province and chrome ore at Dwarsrivier Mine in Mpumalanga province.The Company also produces manganese alloys at its works at Cato Ridge in the Kwazulu-Natal province and charge chrome from recovered slag at its Machadodorp smelter in the Mpumalanga province which was placed on care and maintenance in 2015. Cato Ridge Alloys Proprietary Limited, a joint venture between Assmang (50%), Mizushima Ferroalloys Company Limited (40%) and Sumitomo Corporation (10%), both of Japan, produces refined manganese alloys at Cato Ridge Works.Incorporated in 1935, Assmang is controlled jointly by Assore Limited and African Rainbow Minerals with each holding 50% of the issued share capital and voting rights of the Company. Both shareholders are listed on the JSE Limited.The bulk of the Groups production is exported to the Far East, Europe, India and the United States of America.
SPONSORSHIP: Publication & 35 IGC SAGPGF
	Pangea is a Johannesburg based exploration and development company with a multi-decade track record of entrepreneurial sussess, shareholder value creation and proven operating experience in Africa. Pangea has specific expertise in asset identification and appraisal, mining finance, project de-risking from exploration stage to development and project management.
SPONSORSHIP: 35 IGC SAGPGF
	Royal HaskoningDHV is an independent, international engineering and project management consultancy with a 135year track record. Backed by the expertise and experience of 6,500 colleagues across the world, RHDHV’s professionals combine global expertise with local knowledge to deliver a multidisciplinary consultancy service for the entire living environment. RHDHV’s 25-year track-record as expert consultants to the mining industry acts as a conduit for channelling integrated advisory services into South Africa and across the world. RHDHV’s commitment is to leverage their experience and expertise to deliver a broad range of tailored services and solutions to all stakeholders thereby enhancing society together.
	In 2010, following a restructuring of the joint venture, RBPlat gained a 67% majority interest in the Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine (BRPM) joint venture (JV) in the North West province of South Africa and took over operational control of the JV.
MY IGC APP
	Anglo American is a globally diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world-class competitive mining operations provides the raw materials—like platinum, copper and diamonds—to meet the growing consumer-driven demands of the world’s developed and maturing economies. We work together with our key partners to unlock the long-term value not only for our shareholders, but also for the communities and countries in which we operate.
Symposium Sponsor
	Pan African Resources is a mid-tier African focused precious metals producer with quality assets in South Africa, currently producing in excess of 200,000oz of gold and 8,000oz of PGM’s per annum. The group's assets include: - Barberton Mines: low cost, high grade gold mines and the BTRP in Mpumalanga; - Evander Mine: a gold mine and tailings plant in Mpumalanga with a strong project pipeline; - Phoenix Platinum: the Chrome Tailing Retreatment Plant in the North West province; - Uitkomst Colliery: an existing operational high grade thermal export quality coal deposit in KwaZulu Natal
	Leica Microsystems develops and manufactures microscopes and scientific instruments for the analysis of microstructures and nanostructures. It is one of the market leaders in compound and stereo microscopy, digital microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy with related imaging systems, electron microscopy sample preparation, and surgical microscopes.
Audit Sponsor
	Venmyn Deloitte is an internationally focused, South African based, independent mining and minerals management advisory business, which also has a presence in the Deloitte London office. The company has strong links with minerals and mining companies, together with merchant banks and financial institutions around the world. Specialist services have recently extended to include corporate financial advice, international compliance assignments, the identification and facilitation of strategic partnerships between project promoters and financiers, and environmental liability and sustainability reviews adopting the Equator Principles.
Contributors
	African Association of Women in Geosciences During geological meetings, the participation of women geoscientists was noticed and raised as a concern. In order to help to rectify this discrepancy, a decision was taken to form an association in order to encourage women geoscientists to participate in Earth Sciences related conferences and to inform about or become involved in gender issues related to the Earth Sciences. In 1995, the African Association of Women in Geosciences (AAWG) was born in Nairobi, Kenya. Since then, AAWG count more than 500 members from 35 countries, 5 national chapters and two affiliate’s organizations. AAWG is the only women professional association affiliated to the International Union of Geological Sciences.
	Since its founding in 1917, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists has been a pillar of the worldwide scientific community. The original purpose of AAPG, to foster scientific research, to advance the science of geology, to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct, still guides the Association today. AAPG provides publications, conferences, and educational opportunities to geoscientists and disseminates the most current geological information available to the general public. As the world's premier professional association for explorationists, AAPG is about the science of petroleum geology.
	American Geosciences Institute The American Geosciences Institute, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, and founded in 1948, is a federation of 51 societies representing geoscientists, and serves the
	American Geophysical Union AGU is an international scientific society of more than 62,000 members representing 142 countries. AGU provides a collaborative and engaging forum for the Earth and space science community online and through scholarly journals, books, meetings, career services, education and student programs, and science policy resources. Learn more at www.agu.org
	Association international pour létudes des argiles AIPEA is an umbrella organization for the world’s national clay societies created to promote international co-operation in clay research and technology by organizing: international clay conferences; field excursions; visits to centres of clay research and technology; publication of special issues on clay topics; and publications (AIPEA Newsletter and AIPEA Educational Series).
	Association of Applied Geochemists Founded in 1970, the Association of Applied Geochemists is an international organisation specialising in the field of applied geochemistry whose purpose is to advance geochemistry as it relates to exploration and the environment. We focus on mineral resources, exchange of scientific information, student support and publish the journal GEEA.
	Association of European Geological Societies The Association of European Geological Societies (AEGS) aims to strengthen the links between Geological Societies in Europe. Periodic Meetings of the European Geological Societies (MAEGS) have taken place throughout Europe since 1975. Membership of the Association is open to all non-government societies, institutions and organisations in Europe active nation-wide in the geological sciences.
	Association of Geoscientists for International Development TAGID was founded in 1974 to promote the role of Geosciences in economic development of low-income countries. Proper utilization of international aid and upgrading of Geoscience education were AGID’s main concerns. AGID organized several meetings, conferences, workshops and training courses to achieve its objectives, including the sessions conducted at various IGCs since 2000. AGID is affiliated to IUGS
	Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences The Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences is a Federation of 13 earth science societies representing industry, government and academia. CFES advocates for earth science both nationally and internationally, coordinates activities on behalf of the broader earth science community in Canada, and provides a coordinated voice for Canadian Earth Sciences.
	Circum-Pacific Council for energy and Mineral Resources The Circum-Pacific Council is a non-profit, scientific organization dedicated to the communication of sound science within and around the Pacific Basin. Its primary function is organizing and sponsoring multidisciplinary geologically based workshops, conferences and symposiums. Directors of the CPC represent industry, governments, and academics from around the world.
	Commission for the Geological Map of the World The Commission for the Geological Map of the World, established in 1913 at the 12th IGC, Toronto, is an international non-profit-making scientific and educational association based in France. It is responsible for designing, promoting, coordinating, preparing and publishing small-scale Earth Science maps of the world, continents, major regions, and oceans.
	Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programs in East and Southeast Asia The Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) is an intergovernmental organization whose mission is to contribute significantly to the economic development and sustainable management of the environment and improvement of the quality of life of its Member Countries by the application of Earth science knowledge through outreach, cooperation and partnership, knowledge enhancement and training, and data information.
	Earth Science Matters The Earth Science Matters Foundation is an outcome of the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE), proclaimed by the United Nations for 2008 and operational in the period 2007 until mid 2010. The Foundation was formed at the request of many of the 80 National and Regional IYPE Committees who have been particularly successful in promoting the contribution made by the Earth sciences to Society during the IYPE Triennium. These Committees expressed their hope to continue such outreach activities under an international umbrella. The Earth Science Matters Foundation provides that umbrella. Through its strap-line: bringing knowledge of the Earth to everyone, the Earth Science Matters Foundation will spread knowledge of the Earth beyond the professional Earth scientific communities to a wider audience, including politicians, decision-makers, funding organisations, students and to the public at large. That will be achieved through publications, events, projects, the media and a variety of other communication tools. National Committees will play a key role in such outreach activities. As in the IYPE, the Earth Science Matters Foundation believes that knowledge of the Earth is essential to make our planet a safer, healthier and more prosperous place for future generations.
	EuroGeoSurveys Our principal purpose is to provide public Earth science knowledge to support the EU’s competitiveness, social well-being, environmental management and international commitments. In our day-to-day activities, we promote the contribution of geosciences to European Union affairs and action programmes, and provide a permanent network between the Geological Surveys of Europe and a common, but not unique, gateway to each of the Members and their national networks. We jointly address European issues of common interest in the field of geosciences, with the aim to publish, or see our Members publishing, technical advice for the European Union Institutions. EGS only pursues activities that lie exclusively in the public interest or in the interest of public administration that will benefit from the combined and coordinated expertise of our members and in the direct interest of the European Union and/or of the European Free Trade Association
	European Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage ProGEO (The European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage) is a European NGO with the objectives to improve the status of geological heritage and the protection of sites (geosites) and landscapes of geological interest. ProGEO is open for membership worldwide, but concentrates its work in Europe. Website: www.progeo.org
	European Association of Science Editors The European Association of Science Editors (EASE) is an internationally oriented community of individuals from diverse backgrounds, linguistic traditions and professional experience who share an interest in science communication and editing. EASE offers the opportunity to stay abreast of trends in the rapidly changing environment of scientific publishing, whether traditional or electronic.
	European Federation of Geologists The European Federation of Geologists is a non-governmental organization that was established in 1981 and includes today 24 national association members. EFG is a professional organisation whose main aims are to contribute to a safer and more sustainable use of the natural environment, to protect and inform the public and to promote a more responsible exploitation of natural resources. EFG’s members are National Associations, NAs, whose principal objectives are based in similar aims. The guidelines to achieve these aims are the promotion of excellence in the application of geology and the creation of public awareness of the importance of geoscience for the society.
	Geological Association of Canada The Geological Association of Canada is one of Canada’s leading earth science societies that is dedicated to serving all aspects of the geosciences. GAC® reaches thousands of individual and corporate members through our annual technical conference and trade show, publications, lecture tours, recognition of outstanding achievements in the earth sciences through the prestigious GAC® awards, plus various activities from our specialty divisions and regional sections.
	Geological Society of Africa The Geological Society of Africa (GSAf) was established in 1973 to encourage geoscientific collaboration and cooperation across the continent. Its main objectives are i) promote the understanding of the earth sciences and improve standards of earth science education and research in Africa; ii) provide a forum for discussion and dissemination of information across national boundaries between scientists, associations and institutions engaged in African geology and earth resources; iii) promote the development and sustainable management of the continent's earth resources, to advance its socio-economic development; and v) improve natural hazards assessment and disaster mitigation.
	Geological Society of America The Geological Society of America is an international scientific society serving members from academia, government, and industry. Through meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of geoscientists and promotes geoscience in the service of humankind. GSA encourages cooperative research, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports earth science education.
	International Association for Éngineering Geology and the Environment IAEG is a worldwide scientific society which was founded in 1964, with more than 3,800 members and 57 national and regional groups. There are also 16 active professional commissions and groups in different fields. IAEG publishes an official academic journal by Springer-Verlag “the Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment” with 4 issues a year.
	International Association for Geoethics The International Association for Geoethics (IAGETH) is the only organization linking geosciences and ethics which is affiliated to two ICSU GeoUnions (IUGS and IUGG), and which has signed a MoU with the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf). IAGETH comprises 44 National Chapters and has collaborations with 15 geoscientific societies.
	International Association for Promoting Geoethics IAPG is a multidisciplinary, scientific community for widening the discussion and creating consciousness about ethical, social and cultural implications of geoscience education, research and practice. IAPG is legally recognized as a not-for-profit association, has members in more than 100 countries, and its network counts on 20 national sections. Website: http://www.geoethics.org
	International Association of Geochemistry The International Association of GeoChemistry (IAGC) has been a pre-eminent international geochemical organization since 1967. Our principal objective is to foster the advancement of geochemistry in the broadest sense. The primary scientific activities of the IAGC take place through several working groups and the official journal of the association, Applied Geochemistry.
	International Association of Geomorphologists IAG/AIG is a scientific, non-governmental and non-profit organisation, whose principal objectives are development and promotion of geomorphology.
	International Association of Hydrogeologists The International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) is the leading global professional association for the science and practice of hydrogeology. The Association represents 4100 professionals in 135 countries and its mission is to further the understanding, wise use and protection of groundwater resources throughout the world. In 2016 the Association is celebrating its 60th anniversary.”
	International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits The objective of the International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits (I.A.G.O.D.) is to promote international co-operation in the study of the genesis of ore deposits and to further the growth of knowledge in this field, and the mission is research into the origin of ore deposits lies at the cornerstone of many sub-disciplines in the geological sciences, as well as the methods that can be successfully applied to understand the processes involved in the generation, localization and preservation of economic concentrations of ore minerals.
	International Consortium on Landslides The International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) is an International non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization. The ICL founded the International Programme on Landslides (IPL) in 2006 which includes IPL projects, the triannual World Landslide Forum (WLF) and the World Centres of Excellence on Landslide Risk Reduction (WCoE). ICL proposed and established the ISDR-ICL Sendai Partnerships 2015-2025 for global promotion of understanding and reducing landslide disaster risk at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3rd WCDRR) in Sendai, Japan.
	International Federation of Palynological Societies The International Federation of Palynological Societies (IFPS) is a federation of regional, national, linguistic, and specialist palynological organizations of the world. Its goals are to advance knowledge in palynology and related subjects by promotion of international cooperation and sponsorship of regular meetings between palynologists of all countries and regions.
	International Medical Geology Association International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) aims enhancing the Education and the Research on Medical Geology worldwide, by facilitating interactions between biomedical and geoscience researchers to address human and animal health problems caused by geologic materials or geologic processes. More than 300 members from 50 countries and 24 formal chapters worldwide integrates this association.
	International Mineralogical Association Mineralogy is one of the oldest branches of Science. At present societies and organizations from 39 countries have joined together to organize commissions, working groups and committees in specific fields to bring together experts from all over the world to foster and coordinate research in classical as well as emerging fields.
	International Palaeontological Association The International Palaeontological Association (IPA) aims to promote and coordinate international cooperation in palaeontology and to encourage the integration and synthesis of all palaeontological knowledge. A detailed mission statement is published on the IPA web site at http://ipa.geo.ku.edu
	International Permafrost Association The mission of the International Permafrost Association, founded in 1983, is to promote research in permafrost and permafrost-related fields within the global scientific and engineering communities, to support the activities of researchers in these disciplines, and to disseminate findings concerning permafrost to the decision-makers, the general public and educators.
	International Society for Rock Mechanics The International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) is a non-profit scientific association founded in 1962. Its field of activity includes all studies relative to the physical and mechanical behavior of rocks and rock masses and the applications of this knowledge for the better understanding of geological processes and in the fields of Engineering.
	International Society of Soil Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering The International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) is the pre-eminent professional body representing the interests and activities of Engineers, Academics and Contractors worldwide that actively participate in geotechnical engineering. The ISSMGE is one of the founding sister societies of the Federation of International Geo-engineering Societies (FedIGS).
	The Meteoritical Society The Meteoritical Society is a non-profit scholarly organization founded in 1933 to promote research and education in planetary science with emphasis on studies of meteorites and other extraterrestrial materials, including samples from space missions, that further our understanding of the origin and history of the solar system.
	Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits The Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA) is an international scientific nonprofit society that promotes the science of mineral deposits geology. Its worldwide membership of over 1300 comes from universities, government and industry. Its publication, Mineralium Deposita, is recognized as a premier international scientific journal on mineral deposits geology.
	Society for Sedimentary Geology SEPM-Society for Sedimentary Geology is an international not-for-profit Society. Through its network of international members, the Society is dedicated to the dissemination of scientific information on sedimentary geology and its many specialties. It publishes the Journal of Sedimentary Research, PALAIOS, books and supports research conferences, short courses and field trips.
	Society of Economic Geologists With 7,000 members in 100 countries, the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) is renowned for ore deposit research and mineral exploration. Through benchmark publications, conferences, courses, field trips, and the funding of students, the SEG and its foundations are focused on “Advancing Science and Discovery”. Explore www.segweb.org.
	Young Earth Scientists Network (YES) The YES Network is an international association of early-career geoscientists who are primarily under the age of 35 years or graduated from his/her PhD within 10 years and are from universities, geoscience organizations and companies from across the world. It was formed as a result of the International Year of Planet Earth in 2007. In 2009, in collaboration with the IYPE, IUGS and under the patronage of UNESCO, the YES Network organized its first international Congress at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing, China. The Congress focused on climate, environmental and geoscience challenges facing today’s society, as well as career and academic pathway challenges faced by early-career geoscientists. The YES Network aims to establish an interdisciplinary global network of individuals committed to solving these challenges, and furthering the IYPE motto of “Earth Sciences for Society”.
	The Department of Mineral Resources aims to formulate and implement policy to ensure optimum use of the country’s mineral resources. With Citibank estimating in 2010 that South Africa had R2,5 trillion worth of mineral reserves, it is clear that the mining industry is crucial in the war against poverty and underdevelopment in South Africa. The vision of the Department of Mineral Resources is to enable a globally competitive, sustainable and meaningfully transformed minerals and mining sector to ensure that all South Africans derive sustainable benefit from the country’s mineral wealth. This is achieved within our legislative framework and as the legitimate custodian of the country’s mineral wealth.