When I was growing up in the city where I spent my 18 years, I used to think that this city seemed dark to me. Since I lived in a town that is one of the most important in coal production, I did not realize how vital this mining is to the world! My father then worked at the coal power plant, and something grabbed me. After so many years, I became a mining engineer. After starting my education in this discipline, I loved it and understood what mining is and how it works. I got my bachelor’s and then my first master’s degree in this field, and I had nine years of experience in the sector, working in different cities and performing various roles. I had the chance to attend international conferences, present my studies, and meet with people who came from other countries. All those enlightened me and helped me to understand what I wanted to do.
Mining is not only about production; it is based on humans. We touch them at every step, whatever part of this job we include because mining is integrated with other businesses that we cannot sometimes imagine. During my second master’s degree in environmental management, I found myself explaining how mining is significant and affects others. We must act promptly because the mining industry is encountering an unparalleled difficulty: locating qualified individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to oversee and execute the mining sector’s transformation. Therefore, I believe that mining education needs to be done in the early stage for the pupils since if we can communicate to the younger generation and the general public the importance of mining in the fight against climate change, as well as its crucial contribution to achieving the worldwide shift to renewable energy. These subjects need more recognition and guidelines, particularly more awareness about the importance of global mining. As a result, pupils also need more awareness about these subjects and their international significance.
In my country, we must pass the university entry exam for a first degree. Unfortunately, a degree in earth science is always a lower barrage, so people think those degrees are unnecessary. If their children pick a degree in those fields, they will not be as clever as others. What a shame, yeah? But we know or at least realise now how mining makes the materials that make the world work! More than a traditional four-year degree is needed to get the whole approach to earth science. It might be better to discover new techniques, not only for the university but also before periods. Based on a real scenario, finding an intelligent way to collaborate with people working professionally in the mining industry can be an option to use in that way.
Lastly, I am grateful that starting in 2022, a new agreement was established in Turkey. Under the YOK Protocol, students who have chosen mining engineering, geological engineering, geophysical engineering, or mineral processing engineering as their first choice and are ranked within the top 65,000 will be placed in relevant departments of universities in Istanbul and Ankara. Those placed within the top 50,000 will receive an amount equal to the net minimum wage (4,253 Turkish liras for the 2022-2023 academic year). Candidates ranked between 50,000 and 65,000 will receive half of the net minimum wage. Also, candidates ranked within the top 100,000 and placed in relevant departments in provinces other than Istanbul and Ankara will receive half the net minimum wage. That was unexpected for me then, but it was also a good opportunity and a big step for Turkiye’s mining industry.
As a Mining Engineer focusing on Environmental Management, I hope we can find a way to guide our people from playdough ages to potential since that will help us understand mining’s importance and how to reach our net-zero targets. Presenting tangible objects like genuine shiny minerals in schools and demonstrating the process of creating various products can offer students a practical, hands-on learning opportunity that can make a substantial impression. Students who work while studying may have the opportunity to gain practical skills and hands-on experience in their chosen field. This hands-on experience complements their academic learning and can make earning a degree more manageable.
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