The Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi (TÜBA) will organize a major workshop focused on rare earth elements, bringing together academics, researchers, public institutions, and private sector representatives to discuss Türkiye’s strategic mineral resources and their growing global importance.
According to the announcement, the “Rare Earth Elements Workshop: From Past to Future in Türkiye and the World” will take place on June 12–13 at Kütahya Dumlupınar Üniversitesi. The event is being organized by TÜBA’s Rare Earth Elements Working Group.
The workshop will examine rare earth elements from scientific, technological, economic, environmental, and national security perspectives. More than 20 scientists and experts from universities, government agencies, and industry are expected to participate. Institutions represented at the event will include TÜBİTAK, Eti Maden, ASELSAN, and the Türkiye Enerji, Nükleer ve Maden Araştırma Kurumu (TENMAK).
Organizers said the program will feature five separate sessions covering production and analysis processes, recycling and environmental impacts, economics, security, and policy development related to rare earth elements. Discussions will also focus on Türkiye’s ongoing research and industrial development efforts in the field, including the transition from pilot-scale processing to industrial production.
TÜBA President Muzaffer Şeker emphasized that demand for rare earth elements is increasing rapidly due to the global shift toward electric systems, renewable energy technologies, advanced electronics, and defense applications. He noted that these materials are increasingly critical for products such as smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, aviation technologies, and medical equipment.
Türkiye has recently intensified efforts to develop its rare earth reserves, particularly after major discoveries in the Beylikova region of Eskişehir, which officials have described as one of the world’s largest rare earth deposits.
Industry analysts say the workshop reflects Türkiye’s broader ambition to strengthen its position in the global critical minerals supply chain at a time when geopolitical competition over rare earth resources continues to intensify worldwide.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök