Rare Earth Elements and Waste Recycling Workshop Held at ITU

The "Rare Earth Elements and Waste Recycling Workshop" organized by ITU MEM-TEK provided an opportunity to create an interdisciplinary environment with speakers from ITU, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Munzur University and the private sector, and to raise awareness about REE by sharing the work done.

Rare Earth Elements and Waste Recycling Workshop, organized by ITU MEM-TEK Prof.Dr. Dincer Topacık National Membrane Technologies Research Center, started with the opening speech of ITU Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu. After Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu’s speech on the recovery of rare earth elements from waste, minimizing the use of resources, the concepts of circular economy, efficiency and savings, and sustainable development, NATEN President Dr. Belma Soydaş Sözer gave information about the activities of NATEN and the place of rare earth elements in economy. Opening speeches ended with the participation of Eti Maden Deputy General Manager Dr. Özgür Saç. Dr. Saç talked about Eti Maden's studies on rare earth elements.

After the speech of MTA Mineral Research and Exploration Department Head Haşim Ağrılı, M.Sc., about the potential of Rare Earth Elements in our country, , ITU Geological Engineering faculty member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kumral made a presentation about his studies on the importance of REE and its presence in Turkey.

While ITU Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Şule Itır Satoğlu made a presentation on modeling the recovery of precious metals and rare elements from electronic waste by adding an industrial perspective to the subject, Eti Maden Beylikova Operations Manager Lütfi Tozar, M.Sc., made a presentation about the Beylikova Plant and its works.

The workshop organized by ITU MEM-TEK, provided an opportunity to create an interdisciplinary environment with speakers from Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Munzur University and the private sector, and to raise awareness about REE by sharing the work done. In this regard, Turkey's potential has been assessed, and the utilization of the reserves and their potential to contribute economically have been examined, with emphasis on the partnership of University-Industry-Public institutions.

Click here for the presentation made at the closing session of the workshop.