The Heart of the Mining Industry Beats in İzmir
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Dr. Cemil Tugay, inaugurated the 11th MINEX – International Mining, Natural Resources and Technologies Expo. Mayor Tugay stated:
“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 expo creates collaborations stretching from Europe to Asia, the Middle East to Africa, serving as a meeting point that contributes to exports, employment, and the national economy.”
Organized by İZFAŞ and hosted by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, MINEX – the 11th International Mining, Natural Resources and Technologies Expo, held for the first time at an international level, and the 10th International Mining Machinery and Technologies Congress (IMMAT) have officially started. The opening ceremony at Fuar İzmir was attended by Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, Gaziemir Mayor Ünal Işık, Narlıdere Mayor Erman Uzun, Izmir Chamber of Commerce President Selami Özpoyraz, Aegean Minerals Exporters Association (EMİB) President İbrahim Alimoğlu, Chamber of Mining Engineers of Türkiye President Ayhan Yüksel, IMMAT 2025 Congress Executive Committee President Ahmet Deliormanlı, along with representatives of professional chambers and NGOs.
Tugay: “The congress should be a model for other expos”
In his speech, Mayor Tugay emphasized the contribution of expos to the city’s development and economy:
“We are constantly working to further develop expos and improve everything we do. We are always open to your criticism and suggestions. We know these are challenging times for everyone. We are ready to do our part with dedication. I believe the congress model accompanying expos, as in MINEX, is a very correct approach to share the knowledge side of technology. This should be an example for all other expos as well.”
“Making Türkiye more visible on the international stage”
Highlighting Izmir’s long-standing role as not only a center of culture and trade, but also of production, innovation, and science, Tugay said:
“Our gathering here today carries great meaning in terms of bringing the vision of this ancient city for production and technology into the future. Like every year, MINEX will provide an opportunity to present the strength of Türkiye’s mining sector to the world. With 365 exhibitors and visitors from 44 countries, forming collaborations from Europe to Asia, the Middle East to Africa, this expo is no longer just an exhibition space but a meeting point that contributes to exports, employment, and the national economy. Organized for the first time with the ‘international’ title, MINEX is also the only mining expo in Türkiye to hold the Internationally Approved Event Certificate granted by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). This certification not only enhances the expo’s reliability and prestige on a global scale, but also makes Türkiye’s potential in mining technologies more visible internationally.”
“Providing a valuable platform”
Mayor Tugay added:
“Our congress, IMMAT 2025, brings together scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and industry representatives, providing 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 in the mining sector, support environmentally friendly production, and strengthen safety. As Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, through our expos and congresses, we not only support trade but also scientific knowledge production, technological innovation, and sustainable development. Because we know that a strong economy is only possible with an environmentally conscious, human-centered, and technology-friendly production model.”
Yüksel: “The use of advanced technological equipment is essential”
President of the Chamber of Mining Engineers of Türkiye, Ayhan Yüksel, said:
“The development of our country and the improvement of social welfare can only be achieved through planned production aimed at national development. The only way to ensure planned and successful production is through scientific and technical practices. When we compare Türkiye’s mining sector with those of developed countries, issues such as efficiency, workplace accidents, and environmental concerns stand out. The use of advanced technological equipment is essential. We will continue to support the expo and the congress.”
Deliormanlı: “Atatürk continues to guide us”
President of the IMMAT 2025 Congress Executive Committee, Ahmet Deliormanlı, said:
“We are witnessing not only a scientific event but also a gathering where important issues such as sustainable development, domestic production, and environmental responsibility will be discussed. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s view of science and technology as the foundation of a nation’s development continues to guide us. His visionary approach clearly demonstrated that scientific activities are strategic tools for development.”
Thanks to Tugay for the metro
After the opening, Mayor Tugay and the accompanying delegation toured the expo. Exhibitors thanked him for his efforts to extend the Buca Metro line to Fuar İzmir. Mayor Tugay also received information from participants about fire extinguishing materials and machinery.
Domestic machinery and technologies meet the world
At the previous expo, 16,134 professional participants came together, including 1,742 international visitors from 40 countries and 14,392 domestic visitors from 55 cities. Hundreds of companies participated, establishing new business connections and strengthening existing ones. MINEX 2025 aims to surpass previous years in exhibitor diversity and visitor numbers. Companies from many countries, including Germany, Austria, China, France, and Japan, are participating, while Türkiye’s domestically produced machinery and technologies are being introduced to world markets.
The expo features a wide range of product groups such as mineral exploration, crushing, screening, drilling, transportation, ore preparation, and occupational safety equipment. The visitor profile includes mining and natural stone enterprises, engineers, consulting firms, public institution representatives, academics, and students.
Academia and industry under one roof
Held simultaneously with MINEX, the 10th International Mining Machinery and Technologies Congress (IMMAT-2025), organized by the Izmir Branch of the Chamber of Mining Engineers of Türkiye, is also being held at Fuar İzmir. The congress brings together academia and industry representatives, contributing to technical and scientific development in the field of mining.
Within the scope of the congress, the latest developments are being presented and discussed in a scientific framework on topics such as mining operations, ore preparation and beneficiation processes, production technologies of natural stones and industrial minerals, and mining machinery and equipment used in tunneling.