Citation, by D. Champion

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to present the citation of Dr. Shunso ISHIHARA – the second recipient of the SGA-NEWMONT GOLD MEDAL.  Although I have known him for less than 10 years I have been influenced by his work for the last few decades. Dr. Ishihara graduated from Hiroshima University in 1956. In 1961 and 1962 he studied at the Colorado School of Mines and he graduated with an MA from Columbia University in New York in 1963. In 1970 the University of Tokyo awarded him its degree of Doctor of Science. Between and after his degrees Dr Ishihara was employed within Japanese government agencies, principally the Geological Survey of Japan, until 1993. From 1989 to 1991 he was Director of the Geological Survey of Japan and from 1991 to 1993 he was the Director-General of the Agency of International Science and Technology. From 1993 to 1997 he was a Professor of Geology at Hokkaido University. Following his retirement from that position he has remained extremely active, has travelled very widely, and is a Special Councillor to the Geological Survey of Japan.

During this period Dr Ishihara has published 251 original papers, which includes 156 written in English and 95 in Japanese. He has also written or edited twelve books, six in Japanese and six in English. Dr Shunso Ishihara has made many important contributions to our science during his distinguished career as a research geologist and administrator. His research is very much focussed on mineralisation and he has made a major contribution to understanding the relationship between different types of mineralisation and various types of granites. He is best known for his recognition of the magnetite-series and ilmenite-series granite scheme – a concept he has continued to develop and apply to many other granites, including the mineralised Circum-Pacific. Dr Ishihara’s recognition of “oxidised” and “reduced” granites has been fundamental cornerstone to developing an understanding of the role of granite geochemistry, e.g., the oxygen fugacity, has on associated mineralisation. The recognition of the association of Sn, W, Mo and Cu mineralisation with granites of different oxidation states by Dr Ishihara predated experimental studies which have demonstrated the relationship between the behaviour of those elements and oxygen fugacity. He was first to point out that the degree of oxidation of a granite magma may be related to geographic location, also with important implications for associated mineralisation. Although the magnetite-ilmenite scheme was introduced in 1971, it remains the basis for the metallogenic classification of granites to this day. It can be applied equally well using either field, laboratory-based or airborne (remote) methods. His research is a unique and substantial contribution to developing our understanding of mineralisation.  Dr Ishihara also has had a distinguished administrative career with the Japanese government, culminating with the responsibility for all research in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Dr Ishihara’s contributions to science have been recognised by many organisations.  He is an Honorary Fellow of the Geological Society of America (1999), and a Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Science (2003). He has also received a number of awards and medals, including a Silver Medal, from the Society of Economic Geologists (1989).

Although now retired, he is very active and remains extremely influential in Japanese science, industry and government. He has played an important role in various international meetings in Japan, e.g., Secretary General of the Kyoto International Geological Congress. He also continues to facilitate contact between Japan and other countries, as anyone who has experienced his hospitality in Japan can attest.  He continues to travel widely and many of us have been fortunate to have the pleasure of showing him some local geology.

On behalf of the SGA I would like to congratulate Dr. Ishihara, and wish him the best for continued achievements in the geosciences, and good luck in his private life.

Townsville, August 20th, 2009

Prepared and presented by:

Dr. Dave Champion

Geoscience Australia