Ayhan Yüksel

Chairman of the Board of Directors
Chamber of Mining Engineers of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB)

   
Ayhan Yüksel (born January 10, 1969) is a distinguished Turkish mining engineer, occupational safety expert, and public advocate who currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Mining Engineers, a constituent organization of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB).
Education and Professional Background
Yüksel graduated from the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) Department of Mining Engineering in 1992. He later furthered his academic credentials with a master’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety from Gazi University (2000–2002). professionally, he serves as a Chief Labour Inspector and Engineer at the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Ankara Group Presidency), where he holds the certification of A-Class Occupational Safety Specialist.
Leadership and Advocacy
Yüksel assumed the presidency of the Chamber of Mining Engineers in February 2014 (44th Term) and has been re-elected for consecutive terms, continuing his leadership through the present (50th Term). Under his guidance, the Chamber has become a vocal defender of science-based mining policies and public-interest resource management.
He is a prominent critic of the privatization of Turkey’s mining and energy sectors, arguing that such policies compromise worker safety and ecological integrity for short-term profit. Following major national tragedies, such as the Amasra mine explosion, Yüksel has consistently advocated that preventing such disasters requires strict adherence to engineering protocols rather than fatalistic acceptance. He actively represents the Turkish mining community at international platforms, including the International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey (IMCET).


Plenary Session 1 - Türkiye’s Mining Vision: Export Growth & Strategic Autonomy
24 June 2026 / 09:15 - 11:00 | Kavaklıdere Ballroom

What should be the changes in Turkey's mining legislation and the fundamental principles of national mining policy?