The Heart of the Mining Sector Beats in İzmir
Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay inaugurated the 11th MINEX – International Mining, Natural Resources and Technologies Fair. Mayor Tugay said, “This year, MINEX once again showcases the strength of our country’s mining sector to the world. With 365 participating companies and visitors from 44 countries, this fair, through collaborations extending from Europe to Asia and from the Middle East to Africa, is a meeting point that contributes to exports, employment, and the national economy.”
Hosted by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, MINEX – the 11th International Mining, Natural Resources and Technologies Fair – is being held this year for the first time on an international scale, alongside the 10th International Mining Machinery and Technologies Congress (IMMAT). The opening ceremony at Fuar Izmir was attended by Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, Gaziemir Mayor Ünal Işık, Narlıdere Mayor Erman Uzun, Izmir Chamber of Commerce President Selami Özpoyraz, Aegean Mine Exporters’ Association (EMİB) President İbrahim Alimoğlu, Turkish Chamber of Mining Engineers (TMMOB) President Ayhan Yüksel, IMMAT 2025 Executive Board Chair Ahmet Deliormanlı, as well as representatives from professional chambers and NGOs.
Tugay: The congress model should be adopted by other fairs
Speaking at the opening, Mayor Tugay emphasized the contributions of fairs to the city’s development and economy: “We constantly work on how to improve fairs and make things better. We are always open to your feedback and suggestions. We know these are difficult times for everyone. We are ready to do whatever is necessary with dedication. I believe that the congress model accompanying fairs to share knowledge, as in MINEX, is the right approach and should be adopted by all other fairs as well.”
“Making İzmir visible on the international stage”
Highlighting İzmir’s historical role not only as a center of culture and trade but also of production, innovation, and science, Tugay said: “Our gathering here today carries great significance in terms of carrying the vision of this ancient city into the future. MINEX once again provides an opportunity to showcase the strength of Türkiye’s mining sector to the world. With 365 participating companies and visitors from 44 countries, spanning collaborations from Europe to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, this fair is no longer just an exhibition space but a meeting point that contributes to exports, employment, and the national economy. For the first time, MINEX is being held with the ‘international’ designation and is the only mining fair in Türkiye to hold the Internationally Approved Event Certificate awarded by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). This certificate enhances the fair’s credibility and global prestige, making Türkiye’s potential in mining technologies more visible on the international stage.”
“Providing a valuable platform”
Mayor Tugay continued: “Our congress IMMAT 2025 brings together scientists, engineers, producers, and sector representatives, offering a valuable platform to discuss the technologies of the future. From the Internet of Things to artificial intelligence, from autonomous vehicles to virtual reality applications, many innovations will increase efficiency, support environmentally friendly production, and strengthen safety in the mining sector. As Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, through our fairs and congresses, we support not only trade but also scientific knowledge production, technological innovation, and sustainable development. We know that a strong economy is only possible with a production model that is environmentally sensitive, values people, and is in harmony with technology.”
Yüksel: Use of advanced technological equipment is a necessity
TMMOB Chamber of Mining Engineers President Ayhan Yüksel stated: “The development of our country and the increase of social welfare can only be achieved through planned production for national development. The only way to achieve successful production is through scientific and technical applications. When we compare our mining sector with those of developed countries, issues such as efficiency, workplace accidents, and environmental problems arise. The use of advanced technological equipment is a necessity. We will continue to support the fair and the congress.”
Deliormanlı: Atatürk continues to guide us
IMMAT 2025 Executive Board Chair Ahmet Deliormanlı said: “We are witnessing not only a scientific event but also a gathering where important topics such as sustainable development, domestic production, and environmental responsibility are discussed. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s vision of science and technology as fundamental elements in a nation’s development continues to guide us. His forward-thinking approach clearly demonstrated that scientific activities are strategic tools for development.”
Thanks to Tugay for the metro project
After the opening, Mayor Tugay and his delegation toured the fair. Participants thanked him for his efforts to extend the Buca Metro to Fuar Izmir. Mayor Tugay received information from participants about fire extinguishing materials and machinery.
Domestic machinery and technologies meet the world
At the previous fair, 16,134 professionals – including 1,742 foreign visitors from 40 countries and 14,392 local visitors from 55 cities – came together at MINEX. Hundreds of companies not only established new business connections but also strengthened existing relationships. MINEX 2025 aims to surpass previous years in both participant diversity and visitor numbers. Companies from many countries, including Germany, Austria, China, France, and Japan, are taking part in the fair, which also brings Türkiye’s domestically produced machinery and technologies to world markets. Exhibits include mining exploration, crushing, screening, drilling, transport, ore preparation, and occupational safety equipment. The visitor profile consists of mining and natural stone enterprises, engineers, consultancy firms, public institution representatives, academics, and students.
Academia and industry under one roof
Simultaneously with MINEX, the 10th International Mining Machinery and Technologies Congress (IMMAT-2025), organized by the Izmir Branch of the TMMOB Chamber of Mining Engineers, is also being held at Fuar Izmir. Bringing together academia and industry representatives, the congress contributes to technical and scientific development in the mining sector. Within the scope of the congress, recent developments regarding mining machinery and equipment used in mining operations, ore processing and beneficiation, production technologies for natural stones and industrial minerals, and tunneling will be presented and discussed in a scientific framework.
