OverviewThis is a spectactularly exciting project, both because the geology is phenomenal, the people involved are outstanding! The deposit itself is remarkable in that it is almost two billion years old! Most copper deposits of this type are much younger - most are less than one fourth that old. (Thinking about it in terms of human lives, this deposit is an 80-year-old woman and most of the others in the world are teenagers!) Even more amazing is the condition of the deposit - hardly kissed by subsequent metamorphic overprinting!The Namibians are friendly, very smart, and very hard-working. It was a pleasure to work with such good people. |
Southern Namibian countrysideWe flew into the capital city of Windhook (pronounced "vin-took"). It was an eight hour drive south along the main highway (B1) to the field site. Along the way, we saw baboons and other wildlife, as well as some very beautiful scenery.Click here to see photos of the Namibian countryside in winter. |
CampCamp was a cleaned-up old house built in the early 1970's by another mineral exploration company. Cold showers, headlamps to read at night, etc. The people in camp were good people, which is the single, absolutely essential ingredient for a good camp life.Click here to see photos of camp. |
Field
work
Outcrop in the field area is great. Being there in
August, the weather was perfect for hiking around in the
rugged desert terrain. The Namibian geologists were very well-trained
in geologic mapping techniques in these types of deposits,
and they are tough hikers who are happy to go wherever the
geology takes them. |
Wildlife
There are a lot of interesting living things in the field
area - some strange, some dangerous, and all
beautiful. Being there in winter - a cool, dry time in
the desert - affected the diversity of life we found.
We did not see any of the spitting cobras, leapords, and
other scary creatures known in the area, but saw instead a
great variety of creatures. Deserts are wonderful
places! |
Windhoek (the
capital) and the University of Namibia
We spent a few days in Windhoek so we could visit the
University of Namibia, where I gave a talk and met with
faculty and students. We also did some shopping while
in town. |
Jewels' thoughts on the experienceYou've heard enough from me, but mine is only one perspective. Jewels Wilk - a Kutztown University undergraduate student - accompanied me on the trip. She was a productive member of our team - especially when logging drill core.Click here to hear her side of the story. |