Research Interests: All aspects of kimberlite geology. Has attended every International Kimberlite Conference since 1973 (as of 2008).
Consulting Work: (1998-2009) On kimberlite exploration, evaluation, mining, economics and geology in a variety of countries including North America, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, DRC, Europe, Lesotho, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania & Zambia.
Involvement in the Department
Co-ordinator of the M.Sc. Exploration Geology course on kimberlites.
Teaching kimberlites to the Honours class (in Magmatic ore-forming processes course).
Supervisor to Honours & post graduate students on research projects
Previous life
Employed by Anglo American Corporation for 30 years from 1967-1998.
Seconded to De Beers from 1967-1986 and from 1994-1998 ranging from diamond/kimberlite exploration in southern Africa and Australia 1967-1975, undersea operations in Namibia 1969, mine-work 1976-1977, Director of the Kimberlite Petrology Unit in Kimberley (1978-1986), Exploration Manager South Africa 1994-1996.
Seconded to the Anglo American Research Laboratories 1986-1994, first as Manager of the Geological Laboratory and later as Deputy Manager of the AARL at Consultant level.
Served in 1994 as President of the Geological Society of South Africa.
Selected publications
Howarth, GH, Skinner, EMW (2013) Sub-volcanic development of kimberlite pipes: Evidence from the Lace and Voorspoed (Group II) kimberlites, South Africa. J. Volc. & Geother. Res. 268, 1-16.
Howarth, GH, Skinner, EMW (2012) The geology and emplacement of the volcaniclastic infill at the Voorspoed Group II kimberlite (orangeite) pipe, Kroonstad Cluster, South Africa. J. Volc. & Geother. Res. 231-232, 24-38.
Mitchell, RM, Skinner, EMW, Scott Smith, BH (2009) Tuffisitic kimberlites from the Wesselton Mine, South Africa: Lithos, doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2009.06.018.
Skinner, EMW (2008) The emplacement of Class 1 kimberlites. J. Volc. & Geother. Res. 40-48.
Skinner, EMW, Apter, DB, Morelli, C, Smithson, NK (2004) Kimberlites of the Man craton. Lithos 76, 233-259.
Skinner, EMW, Clement, CR, Gurney, JJ, Apter, DB, Hatton, CJ (1992) The distribution and tectonic setting of South-African kimberlites. Russian Geology And Grophys, l. 33, 10, 26-31.
Skinner, EMW, Viljoen, KS, Clark, TC, Smith, CB (1994 ) The petrography, tectonic setting and emplacement ages of kimberlites in the south western border region of the Kaapvaal craton, Prieska area, RSA., Proc. 5th Int. Kimb. Conf., CPRM Special Publication 1/A, 80-97.
Skinner, EMW (1989) Contrasting Group I and Group II kimberlite petrology: towards a genetic model.. Proc. 4th Int. Kimb. Conf. Eds., Ross et al, Geol. Soc. Australia, Sp Publ. 14. 528-544.