https://solidgold.co.za Welcome to fossils by firelight - a series of conversations with South Africa's geological legends where they unearth their discoveries, their learnings, memories, interesting stories (and maybe a few tall tales) to chronicle our history and inspire the next generation of geological heroes. Personal Journals en Sat, 18 Sep 2021 09:53:48 +0200 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:54:49 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard no Yearly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p1036/logo_6718_20250909_213503_1400.jpeg https://solidgold.co.za Welcometofossilsbyfirelight-aseriesofconversationswithSouthAfrica'sgeologicallegendswheretheyunearththeirdiscoveries,theirlearnings,memories,interestingstories(andmaybeafewtalltales)tochronicleourhistoryandinspirethenextgeneration... Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard episodic Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard info@solidgold.co.za false ZA https://iono.fm/e/1647346?v=1 https://iono.fm/e/1647346?v=1
More than a story about climbing Everest, this is a powerful reminder that extraordinary achievements are built through daily commitment, calculated risk, and the willingness to begin — even when success isn’t guaranteed. GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:45:00 +0200 0 0 30 years to Everest – Decisions, setbacks, and staying power 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 24:16 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1639434 https://iono.fm/e/1639434
From first field assignments and unforgettable camps to mentors, missteps, underground lessons, global mining adventures, and the responsibility that comes with experience, the discussion blends humour, hard-won wisdom, and sharp insight into how geology shapes both landscapes and lives. It’s a candid reflection on collaboration, communication, curiosity, and why getting your hands (sometimes literally your tongue) on real rocks still matters.

Before we wrap up, a small correction from the editorial desk: John mentioned Gideon Groenewald during the conversation, but the geologist in question was in fact Gideon Scheepers — proof that even solid memories can suffer a little geological slippage over time. GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:12:00 +0200 0 0 Licking Rocks and Other Career Advice | John Bristow, Henny Greeff, and Malcolm Lee 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 59:31 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1637631 https://iono.fm/e/1637631
From childhood fossil finds and career-defining mistakes to life in remote field camps, mentors who shaped generations, and the enduring magic of rocks in three dimensions, the discussion ranges across decades of geological experience.

It’s a warm, story-driven reflection on geology as both a science and a way of life — where every rock has a story, and the people chasing them matter just as much as the discoveries themselves. GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:18:00 +0200 0 0 Every Rock Has a Story | David Mourant, Mike Dormer, and John Blaine 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 59:35 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1628888 https://iono.fm/e/1628888 GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:45:00 +0200 0 0 Keeper of the Keys: Dr. Craig Smith on a Life in Geology 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 27:24 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1539912 https://iono.fm/e/1539912 We explore the challenges facing the coal industry, the evolution of mining practices, the future of coal in energy production (particularly in light of global shifts towards renewable energy), the importance of proper training and education and mentorship for younger geologists, and so much more. GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0200 0 0 At the Coalface 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 1:24:26 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1528142 https://iono.fm/e/1528142 GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Mon, 17 Feb 2025 12:30:00 +0200 0 0 Platinum - the good, the bad, and the ugly 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 1:09:07 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1318784 https://iono.fm/e/1318784
Guests: Dr Humphrey Mathe (Tranter Exploration (Pty) Limited l CEO), James Campbell (Botswana Diamonds l MD), Oliver Barker (Banzi Geotechnics l Director) GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:06:00 +0200 0 0 From Junior Exploration Geologist to Director 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 1:22:02 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1183243 https://iono.fm/e/1183243 Connect with Katherine · Connect with Bruce · Connect with Gillian · Connect with Noloeen · Connect with Richard Viljoen · Connect with Frank Gregory · GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Fri, 13 May 2022 15:18:00 +0200 0 0 The Golden Days of the Witwatersrand 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 1:08:20 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1151408?v=1 https://iono.fm/e/1151408?v=1
Today, Sifiso Siwela and Tania Marshall (GSSA president and a diamond legend in her own right) talk to Mike de Wit, John Ward, and Renato "Spaggs" Spaggiari all three distinguished geological heroes in the diamond fields.

Mike, John, Spaggs and Tania share stories of navigating unchartered territories in the pursuit of the precious stones.

They also share learnings, memories, interesting stories and open up about valuable lessons learnt.

The heroes share gems on the grit, resilience and basic exploration skills required by the young geologists to be able discover the now rare diamond deposits, even with all available technology. The guests finally emphasise the importance of having boots on the ground. Connect with John · Connect with Renato · Connect with Mike · Connect with Tania · Connect with Sifiso · GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Wed, 02 Feb 2022 10:01:00 +0200 0 0 Diamonds are Forever 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 1:26:43 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1120641 https://iono.fm/e/1120641
Guests: Richard Viljoen, Frank Gregory, Ron Hieber, Phil Bentley, Roy Corrans and Derek Kyle.

In this episode our five distinguished geological legends talk to hosts Noleen and Sifiso about their time working for the big mining houses.

We explore the internal working of these companies and aspects such as training and mentorship. And we touch on the role of the then Chamber of Mines.

Our guests chronicle their geological paths and how they navigated the tough but exciting mining industry to become 'rock stars'.

They also share learnings, memories, interesting stories and open up about valuable lessons learnt. GSSA Website · Connect with Ron · Connect with Phil · Connect with Roy · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:00:00 +0200 0 0 The Big Five (or Six or Seven) Houses that shaped South African Mining 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard full 1:13:13 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA https://iono.fm/e/1102153 https://iono.fm/e/1102153 GSSA Website · Facebook · LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube]]> Personal Journals Sat, 18 Sep 2021 09:55:00 +0200 0 0 Welcome to Fossils by Firelight 0 0 Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard trailer 3:32 Fossils by Firelight - GSSA