Herman Potgieter

Professor Herman Potgieter is a distinguished metallurgist and chemist at Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in waste transformation, sustainable metal extraction, and advanced materials. He holds visiting professorships at Wuhan Institute of Technology, Aalto University, and Tshwane University of Technology. His research focuses on novel methods for recovering critical metals from low-grade ores and industrial wastes, with emphasis on environmental sustainability and clean energy applications.

Education & Professional Background: Trained as a metallurgist and chemist, Potgieter has extensive experience in academic and industrial metallurgy. He has served as an external examiner for over 40 universities globally, including the University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, and Manchester University. His professional affiliations include Fellowships with the South African Academy of Engineering, IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining), and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Research Interests: His work spans hydrometallurgical processes, photocatalytic waste treatment, ionic liquid applications in metal recovery, and corrosion science. Key projects include optimizing gold extraction from refractory tailings and developing nanostructured materials for energy storage and environmental remediation. His research emphasizes sustainable resource utilization and pollution mitigation.

Awards & Recognition: Honors include the 2019 Fellowship from the South African Academy of Engineering, 2012 IOM3 Fellowship, and lifetime membership in the Materials Corrosion Society of South Africa. He contributes to academic governance as an editorial board member for journals like Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology and the South African Journal of Science.

Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD and MSc students globally, with current projects on water treatment, nanomaterial synthesis, and ionic liquid leaching. His grants focus on advancing metallurgical technologies for resource efficiency and environmental compliance. Collaborates with industries to scale laboratory innovations into industrial processes.

Labs & Teams: Leads multidisciplinary teams in Manchester and South Africa, integrating metallurgical engineering, chemistry, and environmental science. Active in lab-scale to pilot-plant research, including the design of CO2 sorption systems and photocatalytic reactors for industrial waste treatment.