1989 - PhD Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Arizona
1988 - MSc Chemistry, Rhodes University
1983 - B.Sc (Hons) Chemistry and Physics, Rhodes University
Academic Background
Professor Sole is an international expert in extractive metallurgy, particularly in the field of hydrometallurgy. She has more than 30 years’ experience in solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning of base and precious metals. She has run her own consulting company since 2011 and also serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of Pretoria. Her recent interests are in the fields of high-purity battery materials and recycling of industrial and urban waste. She is a Fellow of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the South African Academy of Engineers. Professor Sole received the 2019 Milton E. Wadsworth Award of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration for contributions to non-ferrous chemical metallurgy.
Publishing History
Professor Sole has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed journal and international conference papers. She has also co-authored three book chapters and two editions of the benchmark textbook Extractive Metallurgy of Copper. She has been an invited Keynote speaker at eight international conferences, and serves on international committees for copper, solvent extraction, and ion exchange. She has also chaired several technical conferences.
Editing and Reviewing Experience
Professor Sole has edited manuscripts and dissertations for both students and colleagues at her institution, as well as proceedings for several local and international conferences. She has edited over 800 manuscripts for Edanz and has also served as Associated Editor for the Elsevier journal Hydrometallurgy, and currently serves on the Editorial Boards of Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, Minerals Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, and Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. She is a reviewer for numerous international journals and also served as an examiner for more than 20 MSc and PhD dissertations.
Writing Experience
In addition to more than 90 professional publications, Professor Sole has contributed opinions, forewords, and reviews of a professional nature.
