The Organising Committee extends a warm invitation to all participants of previous kimberlite conferences (e.g. 9IKC and 10IKC); and potential first time delegates to attend the 11th International Kimberlite Conference which is to be held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre in Botswana between 18-22 September 2017.
The location of the 11th International Kimberlite Conference is particularly appropriate as Botswana is currently the largest diamond producer by value worldwide and 2017 is the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the first economic diamondiferous kimberlite, now the Orapa Mine. This anniversary will be celebrated under the banner of “50 Years of Diamonds in Botswana”.
The conference will bring together geoscientists from both the academic and exploration/mining communities to share their knowledge, stimulate scientific debate and to further our understanding of the geology of kimberlites, diamonds and related subjects. The conference will include oral and poster technical sessions as well as field trips in Botswana and neighbouring countries. The conference venue and its two adjacent hotels will host all the technical sessions and social events which maximizes the opportunity for delegates to network with the kimberlite and diamond community.
The 11 IKC technical sessions will cover six conference scientific themes, each with a keynote, which reflect current and future academic and industrial interest in cratons, kimberlites and diamonds.
International Kimberlite Conferences have a proud history of awarding significant financial support, typically for more than thirty individuals, primarily students, to attend each conference. The 11th International Kimberlite Conference is pleased to continue this tradition.
Together, the 11 IKC field trips offer the unparalleled opportunity to visit all of the diamond mines in southern Africa, both primary and secondary deposits. These include the first diamond mines discovered in each of the five countries (Orapa, Botswana; Kimberley, South Africa; Letseng, Lesotho; Murowa, Zimbabwe; Elizabeth Bay, Namibia). Unique to this conference, delegates can visit the rough diamond sorting facilities at the Diamond Trading Company Botswana and De Beers Global Sightholder Sales in Gaborone. There are a limited number of field trip spaces. Register early to reserve your seat.
The extraordinary multi-format exhibition, Messengers from the Mantle, will be on display throughout the conference. The exhibit features rocks from the so called "Mantle Room" research collection at the University of Cape Town.
The 11 IKC Conference Flier is available here which presents the technical session themes and field trips.
We the Convenors, along with the rest of the organising committee, are looking forward to welcoming you in Botswana for an exciting, enlightening and entertaining kimberlite conference in September 2017.
Read Mapeo
Alexander Proyer
Martin Roberts
Barbara Scott Smith
John Gurney
The geometric shapes found throughout the 11 IKC website and marketing materials were inspired by the diamond-like markings of a giraffe, which is found in many of the wilderness areas of Botswana.
