History

The Association for Professional Development of Mining and Geoscience Professionals (MAYEM) was established under the name Association for Professional Development of Mining Engineers (MMMGD) on September 3, 2021, with its headquarters in Ankara, and registered under the registry number 06-145-088. At the General Assembly held in January 2025, the association’s name was changed to MAYEM, short for the Association for Professional Development of Mining and Geoscience Professionals, expanding full membership beyond mining engineers to include geologists, geophysicists, and other mining professionals. The association aims to: support mining and geoscience professionals in Turkey in gaining expertise in their fields, promote technological development in mining and geosciences, bring together professionals in these areas, foster technical and social solidarity among members, and contribute to the development of the country's mining industry.

As a non-profit non-governmental organization, MAYEM is structured to promote the continuous professional development of its members and other professionals in the field, especially in alignment with CRIRSCO and UMREK standards, through training and various initiatives.

MAYEM launched its activities by visiting Anıtkabir (the mausoleum of Atatürk) on Miners’ Day, expressing respect and devotion to the founder of the Turkish Republic.December 3, 2021

Student–Industry Meeting (April 26, 2022): An iftar/dinner event was organized in the garden of TKİ (Turkish Coal Enterprises) with participation from students of METU and Hacettepe University Mining Engineering Departments, as well as professionals from the sector. A seminar on “Continuous Professional Development” and UMREK standards was held beforehand.

Symposium: “100 Years of Mining in the Centennial of the Republic” (October 30, 2023): Organized with the participation of public institutions, private sector, universities, and NGOs. Speeches by industry veterans made the event a milestone. The entire symposium is available on the YouTube channel and documented in the publication titled “100 Years of Turkish Mining”.

IPMS 2024 ZONGULDAK – International Post Mining Symposium: Held on May 22–24, 2024, in collaboration with Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. This was the first comprehensive scientific event in Turkey focusing on “Post Mining,” covering topics such as land reclamation, waste management, industrial heritage, and socio-economic activities. Among 31 total presentations, 10 were international (from South Africa, Greece, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, and Poland).

IPMS 2026 MUĞLA – International Post Mining Symposium: Planned to take place in Bodrum on May 4–6, 2026, in cooperation with Gümüşhane University. Preparations are underway.

General Assemblies: As of July 2025, MAYEM has held three General Assemblies, two of which were regular. Each included elections and key decisions such as the establishment of a commercial enterprise and joining international associations. Assembly dates: Feb 13, 2024 (1st Ordinary General Assembly), July 16, 2023 (Extraordinary Assembly), Jan 2025, name and membership expansion decision

Website & Social Media: Since February 2022, MAYEM has been active on social media and has a bilingual website (Turkish & English) that is regularly updated. Social media stats (as of July 2025): Instagram: 2,062 followers, X (Twitter): 233 followers, Facebook: 136 followers, LinkedIn: 4,668 followers, YouTube Channel (launched Dec 28, 2022): 479 subscribers, 80 videos, 20,977 views.

Seminars: MAYEM organizes "Continuous Professional Development" seminars for future professionals at various universities: Hacettepe & METU (Apr 26, 2022 – TKİ, Ankara), Dokuz Eylül University (May 26, 2022 – Izmir), Istanbul Technical University (Oct 24, 2023), Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (Dec 4, 2024), More seminars are planned.

Online Presentations: Started under the MMMGD name on Dec 21, 2022, initially weekly, later biweekly on Wednesdays. Open to all interested participants, with certificates and moderated discussions by experts. As of July 2025, a total of 63 presentations have been held. All are permanently available on the YouTube channel.

Technical Field Trips: MAYEM organizes technical field trips to mining operations as part of its professional development activities: Salt Mine & Museum (Aug 26, 2023 – Çankırı), Acacia Copper Operation (Aug 27, 2023 – Kastamonu), Post-Mining Workshop (Sep 1–6, 2023 – France/Belgium), TÜPRAG Efemçukuru Gold Mine (Sep 17, 2023 – Izmir), Kiremitçiler Underground Coal Mine (Oct 20–21, 2023 – Tekirdağ), Beypazarı Trona Mine (Nov 25, 2023 – Ankara), TEMMER Marble Facility (Dec 16, 2023 – Afyonkarahisar), MARTURA Marble Quarry (Dec 16, 2023 – Afyonkarahisar), Meta-Nickel Cobalt (Apr 25, 2024 – Manisa), Zonguldak Coal Geopark (May 24, 2024), Akın Mining Chrome Facility (Jul 11–12, 2024 – Kayseri), BG Ferrochrome Plant (Aug 9, 2024 – Bursa), Etigümüş Operation (Sep 17, 2024 – Kütahya).

Annual Calendars: Since its foundation, MAYEM has designed yearly calendars on different themes: 2023 Wall Calendar: Members’ mining and nature photographs, 2023 Desk Calendar: Stamps and history of gold mining, 2024 Desk Calendar: Atatürk-themed stamps from abroad, 2025 Desk Calendar: Post-mining visuals and mineral crystals.

Membership (as of July 2025): 109 Full Members, 19 Honorary Members, 45 Student Members (Honorary), 12 Institutional Members, Total: 185 Members.

MAYEM has partnerships and agreements with: Gümüşhane University Mining Expertise Coordination Office, MADSİAD (joint activities), Women in Mining (WIM) (advocating for lifting underground work restrictions for women), ZBEÜ (EU and TÜBİTAK projects, IPMS), MIS Ankara Mining Congress and Fair (program partnership), Ankara City Council – Member of the “Energy and Mining Working Group”, LÖSEV – Social responsibility projects, IMIB – Report and content creation for the “Post-Mining Activities in Turkey” project, Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) – Consulting master agreement (awaiting approval).

Trade Fairs with Exhibition Booths: MAYEM has participated with a booth in the following events: Mining Turkey Fair (Dec 9–12, 2021 / Dec 15–18, 2022 / May 2–5, 2024 – Istanbul), SIM Ankara Mining Congress and Fair (Oct 11–13, 2023 / Oct 30–Nov 1, 2024 – Ankara), Block Marble Fair (Oct 25–28, 2023 – Bursa), METU Geological Engineering Career Days (May 30, 2023 / May 14, 2024 – Ankara), MTA Scientific Activities Week (Aug 4–8, 2024 – Ankara).

Event Participation: MAYEM actively attends all professional development events related to mining in Turkey, encourages member participation, and provides opportunities for members to present.
Regularly attended organizations include: MTA, UMREK, Chambers of Mining, Geological and Geophysical Engineers (TMMOB), Turkish Miners Association, Gold Miners Association, Miners Solidarity Association, Coal Producers Association, TÜMMER, Yurt Mining Development Foundation, and other private initiatives.

Social Responsibility Project: Solidarity with Imprisoned Mining Engineers MAYEM plans support activities for mining engineers who have been imprisoned or detained due to incidents that occurred while performing their duties. These include sending technical and literary books, magazines to prison libraries, and offering moral support to prevent them from being alienated from the profession.

Mining and Beyond Journal: An independent journal published every two months by MAYEM Economic Enterprise. Its publication began with the January–February 2025 issue.