To: All Media

STATEMENT ON THE ERRONEOUS PUBLICATION OF AN INCORRECT VERSION OF
THE DOLOMITE LAND LAYER ON THE CGS DATA PORTAL

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) would like to bring to the attention of its stakeholders, a
breach of its data management procedure that occurred on its data portal. During the month
of February 2025, an inaccurate and unauthorised dolomite land layer map was published on
the portal. The map in question, had not gone through established internal review processes,
and as such lacked scientific concurrence. As the CGS places the highest integrity in the
quality management of the data it generates and publishes, a decision has therefore been
taken to completely withdraw and remove the inaccurate map. The erroneous publication of
the layer is unfortunate and deeply regretted. Moreover, the CGS acknowledges and wishes
to unreservedly apologise for the confusion, uncertainty and inconvenience that this error has
caused for all its affected stakeholders.

The CGS Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mosa Mabuza explains, “as the custodian of all
geoscience data and information in the country, we take pride in the data that we collect and
manage and as such, we are actively working to correct the issue and have instituted
measures to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future. In addition, our team is
currently reviewing and updating the data to ensure accuracy and reliability. In the meantime,
we have reinstated the previous correct version of the dolomite land layer map on the portal
for ease of reference”.

The CGS wishes to express sincere gratitude to all its stakeholders for their patience and
understanding, as it works to speedily resolve the matter. For additional questions or further
clarification on the issue, please contact data@geoscience.org.za
For media enquiries, please contact Ms Mahlatse Mononela, Manager: Communication &
Stakeholder Relations, on email: mmononela@geoscience.org.za Mobile: 067 426 1417.