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Dr. Luis Alberto Torres Cruz is joining the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering on 25 July 2024 as the Teck Professor in Tailings Management and Innovation. Dr. Cruz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia and a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a senior lecturer at Wits where his teaching contributions include postgraduate courses on tailings management and critical state soil mechanics. The main driver of his research is the prevention of catastrophic failures of tailings dams. This has led him to…

Carmen Jensen Director, Professional Programs, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering “Shortly after joining UBC mining in summer 2016, I learned that Carmen is one the most approachable, kind and helpful colleagues in our department. I could, and still can, go to her office and ask her for help and advice on departmental and personal matters.” Carmen Jensen’s devotion to supporting students is best portrayed through the two field trips she coordinates for students every year to various mines across the country. She plans the itinerary, books air tickets, hotels, land transport, restaurants and meals, mine visits and more…

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Davide Elmo, Professor, Associate Dean, Students and Professional Development, has been awarded the prestigious Killam Teaching Prize for the 2023/24 academic year. Dr. Elmo is an exemplary role model who has made and will continue to make a significant impact on the culture of teaching and learning at UBC. As one of six Killam institutions, UBC offers yearly awards from the Killam Endowment Fund to faculty and teaching assistants who demonstrate excellence in teaching. The Killam Teaching Prize is awarded annually to faculty nominated by students, colleagues and alumni in recognition of excellence…

Teck Resources Limited and the UBC Faculty of Applied Science are launching the Don Lindsay Teck Award in Mining Engineering. Teck’s $1 million endowment will generate annual, renewable scholarships for students studying within UBC Applied Science at the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering. This provides crucial financial support for those who will help mine the critical metals and minerals we need to transition to a cleaner economy. “The Don Lindsay Teck Award in Mining Engineering will shape the next generation of mining engineers,” said James Olson, Dean of the UBC Faculty of Applied Science. “With Teck’s help, UBC is building the…

Two recent articles in the Economist (Leaders – Let Them Dig; Business – In a Hole) paint contrasting portraits of the mining industry, reflecting two divergent perspectives. Mining companies do lament that their proposed operations cannot enter production because of regulatory barriers. At the same time, these obstacles may offer convenient excuses to explain their reluctance to invest. However, let’s not forget that large mining operations are large financial speculations focused on mineral assets rather than mineral production. The emphasis of major mining firms remains fixed on accessing sizable deposits, even when their grades are notably low. Such large, low-grade…

Five UBC Applied Science researchers have been appointed as new and renewed Canada Research Chairs, among 19 chairs at UBC. Among them is our very own Dr. Ali Ghoreishi Madiseh, an assistant professor in the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at UBC Vancouver. Dr. Ali Ghoreishi Madiseh, was renewed as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Advanced Mine Energy Systems. His research focuses on developing novel solutions for maximizing energy efficiency and improving system performance, to ultimately help mining and petroleum industries to improve their processes, cut operating costs and reduce their environmental footprint. The Canada Research Chairs Program invests up to…

The team included (rear) Dex Feliciano, Dylan Conway, Howard Cheng, Jackson Thomas, Tom Terblanche, Joseph Woo, Dawson Chung, Endo Cui, (middle) Christine Yu, Ramita Lehman, Jun Yao Wang, (front) Gabriel Demers, Dylan McIntosh, Malcom Salamon, Gage Paskiewich, Dane Campbell.

A group from the University of British Columbia (UBC) was crowned the winning team during the 2024 Goodman Gold Challenge: Critical Minerals Edition in Sudbury on Feb. 2. The team includes combined student team of UBC Mining and UBC Sauder School of Business students; Dex Feliciano, Dane Campbell, Arjun Singh, and Garrett Bowley. Congratulations to the students! The Goodman Gold Challenge (GGC) is the most unique and realistic mining investment competition for undergraduate students in the world. Hosted by Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines, the sixth annual event welcomed teams of students from across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K….

The Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at UBC receives a one-time award of nearly $100,000 from the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) in support of undergraduate education. The Institute equally distributed the award in the form of scholarships to all domestic second year students who joined the mining engineering program in September 2023 since the newly admitted students have limited scholarship and co-op opportunities. Information about all scholarships available to undergraduate students in Mining Engineering can be found on the mining engineering website. In the words of MiHR, “In order for Canada’s mining industry to support the…

Our esteemed professor Dr Bern Klein has been awarded the Mitacs Awards for Exceptional Leadership. The award is given to an academic supervisor with an exemplary record of developing collaborations with industry and other partners, providing valuable research and training experiences to their interns and initiating research projects with significant outcomes through their Mitacs funding. Dr. Bern Klein Professor, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering Dr Bern Klein is a mineral process engineer and professor in the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia. He was awarded the Mitacs Award for Exceptional Leadership—Professor for…

Ms. Mackay, currently a PhD Candidate in Graduate Studies Mining Engineering with us at UBC, has received The Coal Association of Canada (CAC) Award of Distinction 2023 . The CAC Award of Distinction, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in the coal industry in Canada, was presented to Ms. Mackay during the CAC Awards Reception in Vancouver, BC, on October 2 Ms. Mackay, President of the Western Canadian Coal Society, is being recognized for her remarkable dedication and leadership within the coal industry. A professional geoscientist with almost 20 years of experience in coal geology and geoscience in…

“This program has helped me become a lot more well rounded.”   Howard Cheng Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science Program: Mining Engineering Campus: Vancouver Year: Going into 4th year (as of July 2023) Why did you want to study engineering? Physics and chemistry were always my favourite courses, and I actually spent a lot of time in high school designing things in CAD and doing 3D printing, staying behind after school to work on my own projects. Engineering seemed like the most obvious choice! Why did you choose UBC? I chose UBC because of its first year foundation program. I liked not having to commit…

“Mining engineering intersects with so many different areas – from law, human resources and finance to operations, community engagement and environmental protection.” Jason Sangha Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science Grad year: 2001 Program: Mining Engineering Campus: Vancouver Job title: Vice President, Planning & Strategy, Base Metals at Teck Resources Why did you want to study engineering? I had always enjoyed sciences and math and was interested in building things. In Grade 12, there was a program at my high school in Campbell River where you could do a one-week unpaid work experience to learn more about potential careers. I did a week with the…

Davide Elmo Associate Dean, Students and Professional Development Professor, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering Since early in his career at UBC, Dr. Davide Elmo…

Dr. Nadja Kunz has been featured in this month’s issue of CIM Magazine. You can read the article here.  

Dr. Maria Holuszko’s PhD student Melanie Mackay recently attended and presented at the AISES (The American Indian Science and Engineering Society) conference in Vancouver from…

Vancouver, B.C. – The University of British Columbia (“UBC”) Faculty of Applied Science and Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.A and TECK.B, NYSE: TECK) (“Teck”) today…

Explore all that UBC Engineering has to offer through in-person booths and demonstrations. Find out more at our on-campus Open House on Saturday, November 5….

Are you looking for support with your job search? Would you like the help and perspective of a student who has been through the same…

Mehdi Golzar, a PhD student working with Associate Professor Maria Holuszko since December 2021 has won first prize at the E-Waste Academy for Scientists (EWAS)…

We are now recruiting for the UBC Applied Science Engineering Mentoring Program, which offers an outstanding opportunity to develop impactful relationships with industry professionals and…

Congratulations to our Mining Engineering CIM student poster winners. Mahdi Rabiei (far left), recipient of The Canadian Rock Mechanics Association Award for Innovative Rock Mechanics…

The graduating class of 1985 met during the recent CIM-AGM in Vancouver (May 2022). Names left to right are Brian Cornish, Ross Pritchard, Matt McGarry,…

Imagine UBC is the university’s biggest back-to-school event, welcoming thousands of students to the University. Orientation Leaders guide a small group of new students through…

Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Sustainability Advisory Group in partnership with the Vancouver and Peace River Branches present: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO PRACTICE…

Thank you to everyone who came to our annual mining alumni dinner this year. We hope to see you again soon!

Dr. Maria Holuszko has been awarded a Fellowship with Engineers Canada. These fellowships honour individuals who have given noteworthy service to the profession through their…

We invite you to join us for the UBC Engineering Open House on Saturday, November 6, 2021 (virtual) and Saturday, November 20, 2021 (on-campus). Sign…

We are pleased to announce that a new faculty member will be joining the NBK Institute of Mining Engineering as Assistant Professor of Teaching. Ms…

This project will develop a rock comminution processing system that employs a novel approach to comminution (breaking rock) called transcritical CO2 rock pulverization. Carbon dioxide…

The 2nd Year and Transfer Student Welcome Event is an opportunity for students who completed their first year at UBC online to become more familiar…

CONGRATULATIONS to Dr Nadja Kunz! Nadja has been appointed to the board of directors of Genome BC. She is the NSERC Tier II Canada Research…

Click here to read about mining engineering graduate Julianna Weldon’s story.

Click here to read Durjoy Baidya’s student story.

Professor Andy Mular was head of Mining Engineering from 1986 to 1993. His influence on the direction of the department was significant. You can read…

BRIMM Researcher and NBK Mining Engineering Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Madiseh, along with co-authors Hosein Kalantari (also of NBK Mining Engineering at UBC) and Agus…

The Intelligent Miner’s feature “Evolving Mining Education” focuses on the current state of mining education in universities and how to better align education with real…

The Department of Mining Engineering is pleased to announce that 4th year BASc student, Jesse Peters, is this year’s recipient of two prestigious scholarships, the…

Past Involvement With Engineering Without Borders: Over the past three years, I have thoroughly enjoyed contributing to and learning from several different projects at Engineers…

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Emeritus Professor Andrew L. Mular. Professor Mular was a well-liked professor by many of…

We cannot help but be horrified by current events in the US and elsewhere, including Canada. It serves as a reminder that racism exists. What…

“In memory of Dr. Carroll Oliver Brawner “Chuck”, Professor Emeritus. Chuck was with the Department as a Professor from 1978 until the end of 1994.”…