Dr. Caner Zanbak- 

Environmental Coordinator of the Turkish Miners Association

Caner Zanbak, PhD is a mining engineer and engineering geologist with over 53 years of international academic/professional experience in environmental management policies, industrial waste management, cleanup/remediation of contaminated sites, and engineering geology/geotechnical assessment of open pit mining and underground structures. Dr. Zanbak is the Board Member of the Türkiye Mining Development Fund (YMGV) and provides consultancy to industry on environmental and chemical/waste management issues and as the environmental coordinator of the Turkish Miners Association, he participates in the environmental policy and raw materials Task Work Groups of the European Miners Association (Euromines). Dr. Zanbak follows closely the developments in global raw material supply geopolitics and is currently a member of the Steering Group on development of the Critical Raw Materials and Strategic Materials Roadmap within the context of Turkish National Technology Initiative.

Halim Demirkan

Chairman of the Professional Development Association of Mining Engineers

Halim DEMİRKAN is a Turkey-based mining professional with vocational experience of 39 years. He has master degrees in Mining Engineering. In 1984, he started working at the public company Etibank, Turkey's largest mining and metallurgy company in Turkey. He worked as a research, project and feasibility experts and as a project manager time to 8 years. As the honorary consul general of Mongolia, which there was not an embassy in Turkey at that time, until 1999, he ensured the relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, he rendered consulting services through his own engineering company on design, feasibility and mining law matters for the mining projects in Turkey. In 2003, he started as the General Secretary at the Dumlupınar University (Kütahya). Until 2013, he was active as an advisor to the Rector, Head of the Library Department, lecturer in the Engineering Faculty (mining legislation). In 2004, he was awarded with the “Mongolian Honor” prize for his contributions to the bilateral relations between the two countries. He was manager of Tanzania Pema Mining (TPM) Company to Mpanda/Tanzania in 2013. In 2015, he worked as a consultant Deputy of Istanbul in the Turkish Great National Assembly. After then, he worked as a technical advisor to the Energy and Natural Resources Minister Ali Rıza ALABOYUN. After working as Secretary General of the Coal Manufacturers' Association in 2015, he worked as the Director of External Relations at Akçelik Madencilik A.Ş. He played an active role in the establishment of the Mining Industry Employers' Union (MASİS) and led the Secretary General. He is currently the Chairman of the Professional Development Association of Mining Engineers. He is working freelance advisor.

Msc, Ma İsmet Soyocak

Co-Founder-Critical Minerals Initiative Turkiye, Sustainability Consultant

With an academic background in Geology, Engineering Management and Climate Change, throughout his career, Ismet has taken on roles such as analyst, operations management, business development and project appraisal in various mining projects in Turkey, South Africa, Albania, and the UK. Currently, he is involved in managing ESG risks, resource efficiency and circular mining for transition minerals supply chains focusing on sustainability, innovation, and systems engineering approach.

Dr. Kerem Canbazoğlu

Co-Founder of CAC Law

Dr. Kerem Canbazoğlu, is a practising lawyer based in Ankara, Türkiye, with academic background and devotion on mining sector and disputes near 20 years. He is one of the founders of mining and natural resources law boutique, CAC Law. He holds Ph. D degree on public law which most mining operations directly related with. Therefore, majority of Kerem’s consultancy work is within natural resources and energy fields, includes obtaining licenses, auctions, operation permits, land acquisitions, forest permits, environment impact assessment disputes, administrative sanctions. In addition to that, Kerem also representing major mining companies before all levels of Turkish judicial bodies as lawyer. He also has experience on taking over of mining operations, mergers, and acquisitions for the mining rights, forming partnership models on mining projects including royalty-based models. He actively takes part in contentious and non-contentious matters related to mining projects, rights and partnerships.

Levent Yener

Manager - Bao Metal Mining A.S.

Levent Yener, born in 1950, pursued his academic journey at ITU Mining Faculty-Mine Management Department from 1968 to 1973. His professional career began as a Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer at Kütahya Etibank Emet Kolemanite Enterprises between 1973 and 1975. Subsequently, he served as a Project Engineer in the Project Facility Department of Ankara Etibank General Directorate from 1975 to 1978. Transitioning to the role of Mining Sector Planning and Coordination Specialist at the Prime Ministry State Planning Organization marked his career path from 1978 to 1980. Levent Yener took on the position of Chief Engineer at Etibank Southeastern Anatolia Phosphate Group from 1980 to 1982.

Continuing his journey, he assumed the role of General Manager (Marble, Granite, and Travertine Block and Cut-To-Size Slab Production and Export) at Çanmersan Çankırı Mermer Sanayii ve Ticaret A.Ş. from 1993 to 2002. Later, as the Technical Coordinator at Bilçağ-Besler Mining Group (Erzurum, Erzincan, Sivas, Malatya, and Van, encompassing Chrome and Marble Quarries, as well as the Elazığ Marble Factory) between 2004 and 2014, he played a pivotal role in various mining projects.

In 1982, Levent Yener founded Teknomad Mining Co., and since 2014, he has been associated with Baometal Mining Co. Throughout his distinguished career spanning over 40 years, he has provided consultancy services to numerous companies, offering expertise in "technical solutions" and "market analysis" across more than 60 mining investment and operation projects. Levent Yener continues to contribute his extensive knowledge to the fields of metallic ores, industrial raw materials, natural stones, and energy raw materials.

Onur Aydın

Founder - Madencilik Türkiye Magazine

Onur Aydın graduated from Hacettepe University, Department of Geological Engineering in 2005 and worked in gold and base metal exploration in the private sector until 2009. In 2009, he founded Madencilik Türkiye Magazine and made significant contributions to the development of the Turkish Mining Industry. While providing leading services in the mining industry with printed and digital publications, event organisations and consultancy, he continues to carry out voluntary work for the development of the mining industry.

Sait UYSAL

Founder - Critical Minerals Initiative Turkiye

Sait Uysal, founder of Critical Minerals Initiative Turkyie and a Turkish mining professional with over 17 years of international experience, holds degrees in Mining Engineering and International Trade. After working for a local graphite mining company, he contributed to ASX-listed firms, notably playing a key role in Syrah Resources' largest graphite and vanadium project. Then with other multinational companies, he contributes to projects in South Africa, Australia, Norway, Sri Lanka showcasing expertise in graphite, vanadium, and critical raw materials.