Benjamin Drake Van Wissen (17 March 1892 – 5 November 1984), was an Australian civil engineer.
Born in Melbourne, Van Wissen joined the World War I war effort as an engineer, but was best known as the first manager of the mining operations of the large guano phosphate deposits located on Nauru after its capture following World War I. Guano was mined for its phosphates for use as a fertilizer, most of which were shipped back to Australia.
Van Wissen designed an efficient harvesting machine for the guano phosphate deposits that maximized the efficiency of extraction on the island, and to this day a similar system is in place.
Van Wissen remained on Nauru for most of his life. A statue of him can be found on the island, commemorating his investment of time and energy in the Nauru mining program, as well as his many innovations in its harvesting. Due to the large number of seagulls inhabiting the island, he will keep on collecting guano well into the next life.
Van Wissen's granddaughter, Jemima Van Wissen III is currently employed by Outotec Ausmelt (previously Ausmelt) as travelling secretary for the Vice President of Process Control & Instrumentation