Bern Klein portrait

Bern Klein

Professor

Biography

From 1990 to 1998 I worked as a design engineering on about 300 metallurgical studies aimed at designing processes for base metal, precious metal and industrial mineral projects. The studies were directed at designing processes involving comminution, gravity concentration, magnetic separation, flotation, tank and heap leaching for base and precious metals, solid-liquid separation and effluent treatment. The studies were conducted for a range of companies from junior exploration to international mining companies for mineral prospects around the world.

In November 1997, I joined the Department of Mining and Mineral Process Engineering at the University of British Columbia. I taught courses in Mineral Processing Unit Operations, Processing of Precious Metal Ores, Integrated Mining and Processing Systems and Rheology of Mineral Suspensions. In 1999, I lead efforts to create the Centre for Industrial Minerals Innovations with support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. From 1999 to 2008 I served as Graduate Advisor for the Mining Department and from 2008 to 2014, I served as Department Head. In 2013, I lead a UBC proposal to create the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute and served as Acting Executive Director to launch the institute from September 2013- April 2014.

My research is focused on technology and innovation for improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental footprint in mining. The research lead to the creation of a technology startup company called Mine Sense Technologies Ltd that has developed novel sensor based sorting systems for the mining industry.

Awards

  • Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Transactions, Best Paper Award, 2008
  • Canadian Institute of Mining Distinguished Lecturer Award, 2011
  • CEEC Medal, Coalition for Energy Efficient Comminution, Best Paper, 2013
  • CEEC Medal, Coalition for Energy Efficient Comminution, Best Paper, 2016
  • CEEC Honorable Mentions, Coalition for Energy Efficient Comminution, Best Paper, 2022
  • Mitacs Award for Exceptional Leadership for a Professor, 2023

Education

  • University of British Columbia, 1992, PhD Mineral Process Engineering
  • University of British Columbia, 1985, BASc Mining and Mineral Process Engineering

Teaching

  • MINE 201 Mineral Resources Engineering II
  • MINE 434/524 Processing of Precious Metal Ores
  • MINE 508 Integrated Mining and Processing Systems
  • MINE 579 Rheology of Mineral Suspensions

Selected Publications

  • Klein, B., Wang. C., Kumar, A., Saud, C., Pamparana, G., Li, G., Gunson, A., (2025) Integrated Sensor Based Sorting and HPGR Comminution Circuit for Improved Energy Efficiency, Comminution 2025, Minerals Engineering, Cape Town, South Africa (Keynote Presentation).
  • Futcher, W., Seaman, D.R., Klein, B., (2024), Redefining the battery limits of processing plants – Improving sustainability through the deployment of Sensing Technologies, MillOps Conference, Perth, Australia
  • Klein, B., Heast, M., Pamparana, G., (2024), Operational Improvements from Bulk Ore Sorting using X-ray Fluorescence ShovelSense SystemTM Use Cases: Cu Mtn and Antamina Mines Mineral Processing 2024 International Conference, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia, 2024 (Keynote Presentation)
  • Klein, B., Wang, C., Li, G., Pamparana, G., Xu, Y., Gunson, A.J., (2024), Reducing Water and Energy Consumption Through Innovative Mineral Process Flowsheet Design, Internation Mineral Processing Congress, Washington, D.C. , September 2024
  • Purevjav, B., Klein, B., Dierkes, J. Kunz, N., Xavier, A., McFaul, S., Enhancing Water Sustainability in the Gobi Desert: Processes Based on IWRM principles. Discover Water 5, 17 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00204-2
  • Pamparana, G.,  Klein, B., Bergerman, M., (2024). Impact of the Feed Particle Size Distribution and its Packing Characteristics on Compression Comminution, Minerals Engineering, Volume 218, November 2024, 108934
  • Li., G., Wang, F., Klein, B., Deal, M., Wright, A., Mezquita, H., (2024) Stress-based Approach for Predicting and Improving Large-Scale HIG Mill Performance, Minerals Engineering, 205, 108487
  • Kumar, A., Wang, F., Gong, D., Saud, C., Pamparana, G., & Klein, B. (2023). Development of Locked-cycle piston press test procedure to simulate closed circuit HPGR comminution. Minerals Engineering, Volume 201, 2023.
  • Cetin, M.C., Li, G., Klein, B., Futcher, W., Haest, M., Welsh, A., (2023), Deployment of XRF sensors underground: An opportunity for grade monitoring or bulk ore sorting in Cave Mines, Minerals. 2023; 13(5):672
  • Cetin, M.C., Li, G., Klein, B., Futcher, W., (2023), Tracking Grade Heterogeneity in a panel cave mine: A reconciliation study investigating the impact of mixing from an ore sorting perspective, Minerals 2023, 13(10), 1333
  • Cetin, M.C., Li, G., Klein, B., Futcher, W., (2023), Key Factors Determining the bulk ore sorting potential in a caving mine, Minerals Engineering. October 2023; Volume 201: 108237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108237].
  • Cetin, M.C., Li, G., Klein, B., Futcher, W., (2023), Simulating Bulk Ore Sorting Performance of a Panel Cave Mine: A Comparison between Two Approaches, Minerals; 13(5):603
  • Pamparana, G., Klein, B., & Bergerman, M.G. (2022). Methodology and Model to Predict HPGR Throughput Based on Piston Press Testing. Minerals 12, 1377. https://doi.org/10.3390/min12111377
  • Seiler, S., Bradshaw, P., & Klein, B. (2023). Awaruite, a new large nickel resource: Activation by ammonium sulfate and thiosulfate for flotation. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, Vol 13. 15 March 2023, 100441
  • Seiler, S., Sánchez, G., Bradshaw, P., & Klein, B. (2022). Awaruite, a new large nickel resource: Part 2. Assessment of magnetic separation. Minerals Engineering, Volume 186, August 2022, 107754.
  • Seiler, S., Sánchez, G., Pawlik, M., Bradshaw, P., & Klein, B. (2023). Awaruite, a new large nickel resource: Flotation under weakly acidic conditions.. Minerals 2023, 13(9), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13091147
  • Seiler, S., Sánchez, G., Bradshaw, P., & Klein, B. (2022). Awaruite, a new large nickel resource. Part 1: Physicochemical properties and their implication for mineral processing. Minerals Engineering, 186, 107754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2022.107754
  • Seiler, S., Sánchez, G., Teliz, E., Díaz, V., Bradshaw, P., & Klein, B. (2022). Awaruite (Ni3Fe), a new large nickel resource: Electrochemical characterization and surface composition under flotation-related conditions. Minerals Engineering, 184, 107656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2022.107656
  • Li, G., Klein, B., Sun, C., & Kou, J. (2022). Investigation on influential factors of bulk ore sortability based on fractal modelling. Minerals Engineering, 177, 107362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107362
  • Li, G., Klein, B., He, C., Yan, Z., Sun, C., & Kou, J. (2021). Development of a bulk ore sorting model for ore sortability assessment—Part II: Model validation and optimisation. Minerals Engineering, 172, 107143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107143

UBC is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people (Musqueam; which means 'People of the River Grass') and Syilx Okanagan Nation. The land has always been a place of learning for the Musqueam and Syilx peoples, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history and traditions from one generation to the next.

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