Journal Watch

In 2025, several prominent scientific works in the field of earth sciences (geology and geophysics), mining, mineral processing and petroleum and natural gas engineering from our faculty members have been published in high-quality SCI/SCI-Expanded journals, as well as in books and international conferences.

ITU Geophysical Engineering Advances Archaeological Research through Integrated Archaeogeophysical Studies across Türkiye

The Department of Geophysical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Faculty of Mines, continues to make significant contributions to archaeological research through comprehensive archaeogeophysical investigations conducted at multiple sites across Türkiye. During the 2025 field season, two complementary research initiatives demonstrated the department’s growing role in interdisciplinary archaeological studies, combining advanced geophysical methods with close collaboration between academic and international partners.

Industry–Academy–Student Meeting Brings the Mining Sector Together at ITU Faculty of Mines

The fourth edition of the “Industry–Academia–Student Meeting,” traditionally organized each year by the ITU Faculty of Mines, was held at the İhsan Ketin Conference Hall of the Faculty of Mines between 21–23 October 2025. The event was organized in collaboration with TETHYS: Trans-Eurasian Gateway and EIT RawMaterials, with Miryıldız Madencilik serving as the main sponsor.

ITU Faculty of Mines Academics Among the World’s Most Influential Scientists

Istanbul Technical University has once again ranked first among Turkish universities in the “World’s Most Influential Scientists 2024” list, prepared annually by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier. A significant share of this success was achieved by academics from the ITU Faculty of Mines. Faculty members from the departments of Geological Engineering, Geophysical Engineering, Mineral Processing Engineering, and Mining Engineering were recognized for their high-impact research in earth sciences, mineral resources, and mining technologies, contributing both to recent scientific advances and to long-standing international knowledge production.

Educational Pumpjack Unit Donated by TPAO Introduced at ITU Faculty of Mines

An educational pumpjack (horsehead pumping unit) donated by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Faculty of Mines was officially introduced during a small on-site ceremony. The unit has been installed in front of the Faculty building and will serve educational and demonstrational purposes.

The Deep Story of Gold: New Scientific Insights from Egypt’s Eastern Desert

Orogenic gold deposits of Egypt’s Eastern Desert represent one of the world’s most historically significant yet scientifically underexplored mineral systems. A comprehensive new study by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amr Abdelnasser from the Department of Geological Engineering, published in a recent book entitled “Gold Deposits in Egypt” by Springer Nature, reveals how Neoproterozoic tectonic processes associated with the Pan-African Orogeny controlled gold formation and distribution. The work highlights the critical role of shear zones, metamorphic fluids, and modern exploration techniques, offering valuable perspectives for both academic research and sustainable mining strategies.

A Hidden Warning Beneath the Marmara Sea: The April 23, 2025 Mw 6.3 Silivri–Kumburgaz Earthquake

A research team led by ITU faculty members conducted the first and most detailed scientific study to date on the Mw 6.3 Silivri–Kumburgaz earthquake that occurred on April 23, 2025. The research findings revealed that the earthquake, which was part of a larger geodynamic process rather than an isolated event, served as a “wake-up call” signaling a greater threat that could emerge from beneath the Marmara Sea.

Building Academic Bridges to China: A Strategic Step Toward Global Collaboration

In 2025, our faculty members conducted academic visits to China in different times with the aim of strengthening bilateral collaborations and laying the groundwork for future large-scale joint research projects. Meetings with leading universities and research institutions opened new opportunities for collaborative research, student exchange, and internationally funded initiatives. This strategic outreach marks an important step in expanding the Faculty’s global research footprint.

Reviving Heritage Through Science: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Historic Building Restoration

A TÜBİTAK 1001–funded multidisciplinary research project led by the Department of Architecture and the Department of Geological Engineering of the ITU aims to develop innovative, sustainable injection materials for the restoration of historic structures. By combining traditional restoration techniques with modern material science, the project seeks to enhance the durability and compatibility of conservation interventions in heritage buildings.

Cracking the Code of Rare Earth Extraction: A Geometallurgical Breakthrough from Beylikova

A recent study titled “Leaching Behaviour of Rare Earth Elements from a Complex Ore via Sulfuric Acid Baking: A Geometallurgical Perspective” presents a significant advance in rare earth element (REE) processing from complex ores. Focusing on the strategically important Eskişehir–Beylikova REE deposit, the research applies an integrated geometallurgical approach to unravel both process efficiency and underlying mineralogical controls.

From Sand to Strategy: Unlocking Rare Earths and Heavy Minerals at the Hantepe Placer, Türkiye

A multidisciplinary research team led by the member of Faculty of Mines, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özer (Department of Mineral Processing Engineering), focuses on the Hantepe placer deposit in northwestern Türkiye and evaluates its potential as a source of rare earth elements (REEs) and valuable heavy minerals such as zircon, rutile, and ilmenite. The study highlights the growing strategic importance of placer deposits as secondary resources for critical minerals.

A Complete Guide to Boron Enrichment: Physical to Chemical Routes

Türkiye’s leadership in global boron reserves makes efficient beneficiation and value-added processing of boron ores a strategic priority. The review article “Enrichment of Boron Using Physical and Chemical Methods” by Prof. Dr. Gülay Bulut, Assist. Prof. Dr. Şükriye Beste Aydın, Assist. Prof. Dr. Kudret Tahsin Perek, and Prof. Dr. Fatma Arslan from the Department of Mineral Processing Engineering of the Faculty of Mines provides a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of the main physical, thermal, and chemical approaches used in boron enrichment.

Rapid CO2 Mineralization in Oman’s Peridotite Formation: Insights from Reactive Transport Simulation

A recent study, carried out jointly by Istanbul Technical University and Sultan Qaboos University, presents new insights into the rapid mineralization of dissolved CO2 within Oman’s partially serpentinized peridotite formations. The work is supported by reservoir and geochemical data provided by 44.01 Carbon Removal Company, and is conducted under a formal collaboration agreement between Istanbul Technical University, Sultan Qaboos University, and 44.01.

From Campus to the Black Sea: ITU Engineers at the Heart of the Sakarya Gas Field

Istanbul Technical University’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Department is proud to contribute to the Sakarya Gas Field Development Project—Türkiye’s first large-scale offshore natural gas production initiative—through advanced reservoir engineering expertise. This strategic collaboration with TP-OTC strengthens national energy security while providing ITU students with hands-on experience in a world-class industrial project, exemplifying successful university–industry–government integration.

Editorship News

Our faculty members from the Department of Geophysical Engineering and the Department of Geological Engineering have been invited to the Editorial Team of high-impact journals in 2025.

Prof. Dr. Celâl Şengör Receives International Geology Award from Japan

Editorship News

Our faculty members from the Department of Geophysical Engineering and Department of Geological Engineering have been invited to the Editorial Team of high-impact journals in 2025.

Other News

Other news and activities our academicians

Alternative Method for Indium Recovery from Chalcopyrite Concentrate

A recent study by Mehmet Umut Beşirli and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Baştürkcü from Istanbul Technical University proposes an alternative route for extracting indium from chalcopyrite concentrate, a copper-rich sulfide material. Unlike conventional recovery processes that rely on zinc-based sources, this study demonstrates that chalcopyrite can serve as a viable primary source of indium through a newly designed process flowsheet.

The Use Ultrasonic-Assisted Leaching Method Achieves >98% Metal Recovery from Spent Li-ion Batteries

A recent study led by researchers from the Department of Mineral Processing Engineering, in collaboration with the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, presents an efficient and environmentally conscious method for recovering valuable metals from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). The research team includes Emircan Uysal, Halide Nur Dursun, Dr. Faruk Kaya, Prof. Dr. Fırat Burat, and Prof. Dr. Sebahattin Gürmen.