GSSA

Namaqualand Diamonds Centenary 2025

AKA 570m and the Skinny Beaches

Diamonds were formally discovered at Port Nolloth in 1925. Their discovery and mining have left a controversial legacy along the West Coast. The Geological Society of South Africa convened a conference and field trip to celebrate 100 years of diamonds along the Namaqualand Coast (and into Namibia). This comprised two days of conference, followed by seven days in the field, visiting historical and current operations between Vanrhynsdorp and Oranjemund.

The conference was attended by 62 delegates from South Africa, Namibia, the UK, Switzerland and Angola. Some 26 oral lectures and seven posters were presented over two days. The fieldtrip (with 28 delegates) visited various prospects and historical as well as currently operating mines between Vanrhynsdorp (Quaggas Kop) and Oranjemund (Namdeb). The organisers would like to thank all of the venues and the companies that supported both the conference and the fieldtrip

The conference organisers would also like to thank the various event and annual sponsors, without which the conference could never have succeeded.

Event Sponsors

Annual Sponsors

Photo Competition

The conference also boasted a photo competition with entries to reflect the spirit of Namaqualand. The three winners, whose photos will all be used in upcoming Geobulletins are:

First Place: Platbakkies (Mike de Wit)
Second Place: The old HMS and sort house at Alexander Bay (Kabelo Mongalo)
Third Place The Fish River Canyon (Wony Diergaardt)

Conference Recording/Presentations

All delegates will all receive (in due course)

  • A link to the recordings
  • A copy of the pdfs that have been made available
  • A certificate of attendance (CPD certificate)
  • The link to the photo repository (some fieldtrip photos). 

The organisers of the conference and fieldtrip would like to thank each and every delegate for sharing this once-in-a-lifetime event with us. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.