Prof. Dr. Fatma Arslan was elected as President of the Balkan Mineral Processing Scientific Committee and the Balkan Academy of Mineral Technologies

52 years ago, mineral processing researchers and professionals who had made significant contributions to the fields of mining and mineral processing came together to form an official body to advance scientific collaboration. As a result, in 1973, the Balkan Mineral Processing Committee (BMPC) was established, followed by the founding of the Balkan Academy of Mineral Technologies (BASMT). The founding members of BMPC were Prof. Dr. Kiriak Kovachev (Bulgaria), Prof. Dr. Dusan Salatic (Yugoslavia–Serbia), Prof. Dr. Zeki Doğan (Türkiye), and Prof. Dr. Paraschiv Ilie (Romania).

During a Zoom meeting held on December 20, 2024, with the participation of BMPC and BASMT members, Prof. Dr. Fatma Arslan was unanimously elected as the new president of both organizations, succeeding Prof. Dr. Güven Önal, who has held the position for many years.

The Committee organizes the Balkan Mineral Processing Congress (BMPC) biennially in a different Balkan country. The 1st BMPC, held on September 11–13, 1973, took place in Varna, Bulgaria, under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Nadejda Davcheva-Ilcheva. This congress serves as a technical platform that brings together researchers and industry professionals from not only the Balkan countries but also from around the world, working in mining, mineral processing, and extractive metallurgy. It provides an opportunity to share experiences, scientific research, and innovations in the field.

In addition to scientific presentations on mineral processing, the congress features discussions on recent industry developments and evaluations of the future of the mining and mineral processing industry in the Balkan region. Key topics include material analysis and mineral characterization, crushing-grinding-classification, physical beneficiation methods, flotation, hydrometallurgy, beneficiation of metallic and industrial minerals, coal processing, mine drainage and wastewater treatment, as well as mining activities related to mineral processing.

The congress has been hosted in Türkiye twice. The 4th BMPC was held on September 11–13, 1984 in Istanbul, chaired by Prof. Dr. Zeki Doğan and Prof. Dr. Güven Önal. The 17th BMPC, on the other hand, took place on November 1–3, 2017, in Antalya, jointly organized by the Department of Mineral Processing Engineering at Istanbul Technical University and the Foundation for the Development of Domestic Mining (YMGV), under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Güven Önal, Prof. Dr. Fatma Arslan, and Prof. Dr. Ayhan Ali Sirkeci.

The Flotation Laboratory in the Department of Mineral Processing Engineering Department was named in honor of Prof. Dr. Suna Atak

In recognition of her lasting contributions to mineral processing education and research, the Flotation Laboratory within the Department of Mineral Processing Engineering at Istanbul Technical University has been officially named after Prof. Dr. Suna Atak.

Prof. Dr. Atak, a respected scholar and educator, devoted her academic career to advancing the field of flotation, a cornerstone technique in mineral processing. Her work not only shaped the scientific direction of the department but also left a profound impact on generations of students and researchers. By naming the laboratory the “Prof. Dr. Suna Atak Flotation Laboratory,” the department honors her scientific achievements, mentorship, and leadership. The laboratory will continue to serve as a hub for experimental learning and advanced research, keeping her legacy alive in both education and innovation.

To mark the occasion, a commemorative plaque was installed at the laboratory entrance. A ceremony attended by faculty members, alumni, and staff was held to express gratitude and celebrate her contributions to the university and the mineral processing community.