Page 10 - Southern Campus Graduation Booklet (10 May 2022)

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, ENGINEERING
& NATURAL RESOURCES
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SCIENCE
(GEOLOGY)
CANDIDATE: HARRIS M

CURRICULUM VITAE
Martin Harris was born in the Zambezi Region. He matriculated from
Caprivi Secondary School. His qualifications include Bachelor of
Science (Geology and Chemistry) from the University of Namibia;
Masters of Engineering in Mineral Resource Prospecting and
Exploration (Distinction) from China University of Geosciences. He
has over 11 years of work experience spanning from industry to academia. His industry experience
includes working as an exploration geologist at Namib Hydrosearch cc; Erongo Energy Namibia
(Pty) Ltd and Gecko Mining (Pty) Ltd. His academic career began in 2014, when he joined the
staff of the Geology Department, University of Namibia, where he is currently employed. He has
authored several publications and participated in multiple regional research projects.

CANDIDATE’S DISSERTATION
TECTONIC EVOLUTION OF THE KONKIEP TERRANE IN SOUTHERN NAMIBIA
The doctoral study was undertaken and completed under the supervision of Prof. Benjamin Siyowi
Mapani of Namibia University of Science and Tecknology (NUST), as Main-Supervisor and Prof. Dave
Hugh Cornell from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden as Co-Supervisor.
This candidate investigated Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Konkiep Terrane in southern Namibia,
along the western margin of the Kalahari Craton. As part of this study, four articles were published
in international journals. Among them, the candidate is the first author on the following articles
published in the African Journal of Geosciences; 1) The Kumbis and Nagatis Formations and the
Helmeringhausen Gabbro: Oldest undeformed rocks of the Sinclair Supergroup in Namibia and 2)
“Chronostratigraphic correlation of the volcanic 1.21 Ga Barby and Haiber Flats Formations in the
Sinclair Supergroup of Namibia”. The study assessed the stratigraphic subdivision, plate tectonic
setting, timing and evolution of the Konkiep Terrane using U-Pb, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf isotopes, major and
trace element geochemistry. The results show that the Konkiep Terrane evolved in three prominent
cycles, now documented to be geochronologically distinct. A rift, continental arc and mantle
plume tectonic settings are envisaged for the first, second and third cycles, respectively. Three
episodes of crustal generation are identified in the Archean, Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic
eras in zircons from sedimentary rocks, with sediment sources inferred to be the Kaapval Craton,
Rehoboth Province, Namaqua-Natal Province and Sinclair Supergroup. Isotope data on igneous
rocks indicate mixing of Archean and Paleoproterozoic crustal source rocks with juvenile mantle
material. The Konkiep Terrane is shown to contain Paleoproterozoic xenocrysts and lacks severe
deformation and regional metamorphism, suggesting that the terrane is underlain by a strong
cratonic basement belonging to the Rehoboth Province. The terrane is thus revealed to have
originated as part of the Rehoboth Province with a Paleoproterozoic foundation and to have
evolved in three Mesoproterozoic magmatic and sedimentary cycles, which encompass the entire
Namaqua-Natal Wilson Cycle. One of the major findings from this work was to re-arrange the
stratigraphy of the Konkiep Terrane using new U-Pb age data. This will help refine mineral deposit
models for the area and thus guide exploration for mineral resources.

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