Paul Lee

Paul Lee is a Senior Environmental Scientist and Climatologist at Umvoto, where he has worked since 2012. Paul completed his BSc undergraduate and Honours degrees in Environmental Science and Climatology from the University of Cape Town. 

He spent 15 years working in various aspects of mining in the South African diaspora, which included, exploration and prospecting, environmental management of mines and the international sales of mining material, mainly in Asia where he worked and resided. 

Prior to working at Umvoto, Paul was team leader and senior meteorological office for the 50^th South African Antarctic Expedition to Queen Maud Land Base (SANAE IV), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in 2011. 

His accomplishments within the company include overseeing the operational and environmental management of the Overstrand Groundwater Wellfield in Hermanus, which is described as the flagship of conjunctive groundwater and surface water useage in the country with exemplary environmental controls and a sophisticated high-tech approach towards wellfield control.  Paul has also assisted mines in Ethiopia with the construction of meteorological recording stations in the Danakil region (adjacent to the Red Sea and 120 meters below sea level), where he was challenged by the hottest climatic conditions on earth, which contrasted with his Antarctic weather recording experiences. 

He has a passion for adventure and has undertaken numerous expeditions (some of which he has guided), including summitting some of Africa’s highest mountains in Kenya and Ethiopia and Imja-Tse in the Himalayas adjacent to Mount Everest, spent considerable time in the European Alps, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and kayaked 800 km along the fjords of southern Chile’s Patagonia. Paul is also a registered mountain walking guide for the Mountain Club of South Africa, and has played a major role in establishing planned geoheritage trails for The Umvoto Foundation.