Workplace: Geo physics

Abstract

The mining indusrty has become one of the successful industries. Geophysics is a branch of Geology and it involves the study of rocks and minerals. The profession of Geology has become critical over the years to the economy of many countries. There are different fields of Geology, namely Exploration Geology, Economic Geology and Mining Geology. Geophysics makes use of physical properties of gravity, and it is evident by the fact that rocks vary from place to place. CSIR with Dr Kataka focuses on the safety of mines and making the mining of minerals cheaper. However the major problem faced currently is Rock Bursts. In Geology a rock burst is a spontaneous, violent fracture of rock that can occur in deep mines. It is a serious hazard in South Africa as it has claimed the lives of many miners. However Dr Kataka does discuss some of the measures and instruments that are used to monitor and keep truck of these rock burst, as it is an activity that is unpredictable. Dr Kataka concludes the interview by encouraging young people especially from the central parts of Africa were there are mineral resources to show interest in Geophysics so that they understand the importance of resources around them. He also closed by heartening youngsters from the SADC countries to study Geophysics as it seems this group of people is under represented in the Geology industry