Fırat Atalay

Assoc. Prof. Fırat ATALAY

Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc. in Mining Engineering

Minor Degree in Business Administration

UMREK Competent Person

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About Me

In 2008, I successfully graduated with the best student award from Hacettepe University, Mining Engineering Department. That same year, I was honored with the "İhsan Doğramacı Supreme Success Award". Additionally, I completed a minor degree in Business Administration from the Faculty of Economics and Administration Sciences.

I hold the distinction of being the first person in the history of the department (established 1968) to graduate as the top student while holding a minor in Business Administration. I went on to complete my M.Sc. (2011) and Ph.D. (2015) degrees at Hacettepe University.

Research Focus: I am mainly interested in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources. As demand for primary resources increases, accurate mine planning, ore resource estimation (Geostatistics), mineral economics, and mine scheduling become critical. I focus on developing new methods in these areas, particularly applying Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to solve industrial problems.

I have extensive project and consultancy experience across a spectrum of commodities, ranging from high-value and strategic metals like Gold, Copper, Lithium, and Rare Earth Elements (REE) to essential industrial resources such as Coal, Iron, Lead, Zinc, and Industrial Raw Materials

Publications

2025

Artificial Intelligence and Mining

A Historical Perspective, Current Applications and Outlook. 29th International Mining Congress of Türkiye.

2025

Graph Attention Networks (GAT)

Pioneering GAT for Mineral Resource Estimation: A Case Study on a Copper Deposit. Balkanmine 2025.

2025

Effect of Domaining in ML

Effect of Domaining in Mineral Resource Estimation with Machine Learning. Minerals, 15(4), 330.

2024

Estimation of Fe Grade Using XGBoost

Estimation of Fe Grade at an Ore Deposit Using Extreme Gradient Boosting Trees (XGBoost) Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 1-10.

Full Publication List

  1. Atalay, F. (2025). Artificial Intelligence and Mining: A Historical Perspective, Current Applications and Outlook, Proceedings of the 29th International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Türkiye, 1312-1318 p.
  2. Atalay, F. (2025). Pioneering Graph Attention Networks for Mineral Resource Estimation: A Case Study on a Copper Deposit, Balkanmine 2025 The 9th Balkan Mining Congress "Sustainable Mining - The Key of the Future Development Proceedings Book, 336-344.
  3. Atalay, F. (2025). Effect of Domaining in Mineral Resource Estimation with Machine Learning. Minerals, 15(4), 330.
  4. Atalay, F. (2024). Estimation of Fe Grade at an Ore Deposit Using Extreme Gradient Boosting Trees (XGBoost). Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 1-10.
  5. Atalay, F. (2023). Comparison of Conditioned Radial Bases Function Approach and Kriging: Estimation of Calorific Value in a Coal Field. Scientific Mining Journal , Volume: 62 Issue: 2, 93 - 98. DOI:https://doi.org/10.30797/madencilik.1315628
  6. Atalay, F., Ünal, M. S. & Kıllıoğlu, S. Y. (2021). Comparison of Radial Basis Function and Ordinary Kriging Estimations in an Iron Ore Deposit. European Journal of Science and Technology , (27) , 303-310 . DOI: 10.31590/ejosat.913286
  7. Madenoglu, S., Atalay, F., & Erpul, G. (2020). Uncertainty assessment of soil erodibility by direct sequential Gaussian simulation (DSIM) in semiarid land uses. Soil and Tillage Research, 204, 104731.
  8. F. Atalay, G. Ertunç, "Estimation of Iron Content of a Deposit Using Deep Neural Networks" , 7th Balkanmine Congress, Proceedings Book 1, DOI: 10.7251/BMC170701195A, pp.195-200, 2017
  9. G. Ertunç, F. Atalay, "Implicit 3D Modelling with Support Vector Machines", 7th Balkanmine Congress, Proceedings Book 1, DOI: 10.7251/BMC170701189E, pp. 189-194, 2017.
  10. Ertunç G., Atalay F., "Application of Support Vector Machines in Coal Deposit Boundary Decision", IJSRISE, Vol.3, Is.2, P.5-10, 2017
  11. Fırat ATALAY, Güneş ERTUNÇ, "Metaheuristic Kriging: A New Spatial Estimation Method", HJ of Math. and Stat., Vol.46, Is.3, P.1-6, 2017
  12. Atalay, F.; Tercan, A. E., "Coal resource estimation using Gaussian Copula", INT J COAL, Vol.156, Is.0, P.1-6, 2017
  13. Fırat ATALAY; Güneş ERTUNÇ, "Spatial Estimation of a Coal Resource Using Artificial Neural Networks", IJSRISE, Vol.3, Is.1, P.48-50, 2017
  14. Tuncay, T; Bayramin, I; Atalay, F; Unver, I, "Assessment of Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) Interpolation on Spatial Variability of Selected Soil Properties in the Cukurova Plain", TAR BIL DER, Vol.22, Is.3, P.377-384, 2016
  15. Siddiqui, FI; Pathan, AG; Unver, B; Tercan, AE; Hindistan, MA; Ertunç, G; Atalay, F; Unal, S; Killioglu, Y, "Lignite resource estimations and seam modeling of Thar Field, Pakistan", INT J COAL, Vol.127, Is.0, P.84-96, 2015
  16. Tercan, AE; Unver, B; Hindistan, MA; Ertunc, G; Atalay, F; Unal, S; Killioglu, Y, "Seam modeling and resource estimation in the coalfields of western Anatolia", INT J COAL, Vol.112, Is.0, P.94-106, 2013
  17. Ertunc, G; Tercan, AE; Hindistan, MA; Unver, B; Unal, S; Atalay, F; Killioglu, SY, "Geostatistical estimation of coal quality variables by using covariance matching constrained kriging", INT J COAL, Vol.112, Is.0, P.14-25, 2013
  18. Fırat ATALAY; Güneş Ertunç, "Geostatistical Estimation of Iron Content Distribution of an Ore Body Using Kriging and Lognormal Kriging Techniques A Comparative Study", IRSYSC 2017 Abstract Book, P.98-98, 2017
  19. Güneş Ertunç; Fırat ATALAY, "Estimation of Spatial Components by Covariance Matching Kriging under the Linear Model of Regionalization", IRSYSC 2017 Abstract Book, P.99-99, 2017
  20. Güneş Ertunç; Fırat ATALAY, "Destek Vektör Makineleri ile Jeolojik Zonların Kesit Yorumu", IMCET 2017, P.362-368, 2017
  21. Fırat ATALAY; Güneş ERTUNÇ, "Modified Mahalanobis Distance in Joint Assessment of Multivariate Spatial Coal Data", IRSYSC 2016, P.?-?, 2016
  22. Güneş Ertunç; Fırat Atalay, "Effect of Unfolding Practice on Spatial Estimation", IRSYSC 2016, P.?-?, 2016
  23. Atalay F.; Ertunç G., "Spatial Estimation of a Coal Resource Using Artificial Neural Networks", 4th International Symposium on Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Applications Proceedings, P.164-168, 2016
  24. Atalay, F; Tercan, AE; Ertunc, G, "Geostatistics As a Tool to Estimate Undiscovered Deposits of Coal", P.322-326, 2015
  25. Ertunc, G; Tercan, AE; Atalay, F, "An Alternative Multivariate Kriging Technique: Covariance Matching Constrained CoKriging", P.250-256, 2015
  26. B. Ünver; M.A. Hindistan; A.E. Tercan; G. Ertunç; M.S. Ünal; S.Y. Kıllıoğlu; F. Atalay, "Soma Eynez Kömür Sahası İçin Farklı Bir Üretim Yöntemi Önerisi", Tür. 24. Uluslarar. Mad. Kong. Bil. Kit., P.363-371, 2015
  27. F. Atalay; A. E. Tercan; G. Ertunç, "Geostatistics As a Tool to Estimate Undiscovered Deposits of Coal", Proc. 24th Int. Min. Cong., P.322-326, 2015
  28. G. Ertunç; A.E. Tercan; F. Atalay, "An Alternative Multivariate Kriging Technique: Covariance Matching Constrained CoKriging", Proc. 24th Int. Min. Cong., P.250-256, 2015
  29. Atalay, F; Tercan, AE; Unver, B; Hindistan, MA; Ertunç, G, "A Geostatistical Study of Tertiary Coal Fields in Turkey", L N EARTH S, P.723-726, 2014
  30. A.Erhan TERCAN; Mehmet Ali HiNDiSTAN; Bahtiyar ÜNVER; Güneş ERTUNÇ; M.suphi Ünal; Fırat ATALAY, "Geostatistical Analysis Of Calorific Value Distribution in a Coal Basin", P.1-8, 2011

Projects

2026

Gold Deposit

Resource and Reserve Estimation at A Gold Deposit.

2026

Rare Earth Elements

Resource Estimation at a Rare Earth Elements Deposit .

2025

Iron Ore

Burmahan iron ore underground mining project .

2025

Artificial Intelligence

Training on Artificial Intelligence and its Applications in the Mining Sector, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources.

Industrial & Academic Projects

  1. Investigator, Resource and Reserve Estimation at A Gold Deposit, Türkiye, 2026-Cont.
  2. Investigator, Resource Estimation at a Rare Earth Elemtens Deposit, 2026 - Cont.
  3. Investigator, Burmahan iron ore underground mining project, FIMAR, December-2025
  4. Manager, Training on Artificial Intelligence and its Applications in the Mining Sector, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources, December-2025
  5. Researcher, Ilgin coal field updated UMREK-2023 Code Compliant Coal Resource Estimation, Konya Ilgin Electricity Generation Industry and Trade Inc.,2024
  6. Investigator, Estimation of Production Induced Subsidence at an Underground Copper Mine, 2024
  7. Investigator, Determination of Rock Mass Properties of an Underground Copper Mine, 2024
  8. Investigator,Research and Development Project of Lithium Potential in Boron Salt Fields of ETI MADEN, 2022-2023.
  9. Visiting Academic, Comparing Metaheuristic Kriging and Ordinary Kriging at a mineral deposit in Australia, The University of Queensland, 2022.
  10. Manager, Elimination of Software Related Problems in Ore Body Modelling and 3D Stability Analysis, 2020 - 2022. Budget: 1 730 000 TL
  11. Investigator, Numerical Modelling of Underground Openings due to production at Cukuralan Underground Gold Mine , Koza Gold, 2021 - 2022.
  12. Investigator, Resoruce Estimation of İlgın Coal Field , Park Energy, 2021 - 2022.
  13. Investigator, Coal resource and Reserve Estimation of Yatagan Coal Deposit, Yatağan Termal Power Plant , 2020 - 2022.
  14. Investigator, Underground Production Planning of Üçkardeşler Asphaltite Deposit , Park Enerji, 2020 - 2021.
  15. Investigator, Netiana Mining Company SA., Ouagadougoy, Burikina Faso, Scoping study of Balogo Underground Mine Project, 2019- 2020.
  16. Investigator, Efficiently production of Eti Maden, Kizilcaoren (Eskisehir) Fluorite, barite, thorium, Rare Earth elements ore body for country economics, 2019 - 2021
  17. Investigator, MTA, Development of Ordu - Fatsa silicified gold domain (Resource Estimation), 2018- 2019
  18. Investigator, Ozkoyuncu Mining, Metalurgy, Construction Co. Ltd., Numerical modelling of underground production method and assesment of affect to the current production, 2019
  19. Investigator, Mediterranean Mineral Resources, Magnesite resource estimation of Aktepe - Enerkoy deposits, 2018-2019
  20. Investigator, Anadolu- Birlik Co. Ltd., Determination of Kangal Kalburcayiri coal qaulity and selection of optimium production alternative, 2019
  21. Investigator,Project is financially supported by MIGEM, TKI, ETI MADEN, EUAS, TTK , " Establishment of Mining Safety Culture", 2018- 2019.
  22. Lecturer at more than 30 lectures of "Authorized Legal Entity Seminars ", 2016 - 2017.
  23. Investigator, Numerical modelling of underground production method of Çukuralan-Ovacık Gold Mine, Turkey, 2018- 2019.
  24. Principal Consultant of MTA for resource estimation of some metallic and industrial raw material commodities, Ankara, Turkey, 2017.
  25. Investigator, General Directorate of Turkish Coal Enterprise; Resource estimation of Tekirdag-Malkara coal deposit, 2017 - 2018
  26. Investigator, Çiftay Co. Ltd. , Iron resource estimation of Kursunkaya deposit, Elazig, 2017 - 2018
  27. Investigator, Meta Nickel - Cobalt Mining Co. Ltd., Resource Estimation and Development of Time Dependent Pit Model of Yunusemre Lateritic Nickel Deposit, 2017
  28. Principal Researher, General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration , Resource estimation and classification of Polymetallic ore deposit respect to some International ore resource estimation and classification codes, 2017
  29. Principal Consultant, General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Prospecting of Rare earth elements at East Anatolia Region and prospecting of Lithium in some Boron fields, 2017
  30. Principal Consultant, General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Ore body modelling and resource estimation of a Bentonite deposit at Ordu Province of Turkey, 2017
  31. Investigator, ULUSAL A.Ş., Improvement of Netpro/Mine Ore Body modelling and Mine Planning Software, 2017
  32. Investigator, Turkish Coal Enterprises, Use of indigenous coal resources at Trakya Region of Turkey – Environmental, Geological, Geotechnical- Hydrogeological Study and Resource Modelling, 2016-2017
  33. Investigator, Santral Mining Co., Resource modeling, geotechnical-hydrogeological study and open pit mine design at Taç and Çorak gold deposits, Artvin-Yusufeli, Turkey, 2016-2017
  34. Investigator, Physical and Mechanical Roof Properties of Çayırhan D and G Production sectors. 2016
  35. Co-Principal investigator (with 5 other co PIs), General Directorate of Eti Mine Works; Resource estimation of Kizilcaoren (Turkey) Rare Earth Element (REE) project, 2013-2014
  36. Investigator, General Directorate of Turkish Coal Enterprise; Resource estimation of and conceptual study of Soma-Eynez (Turkey) coal project, 2010-2011
  37. Investigator, Global Machine Electricity Industry and Trade Inc.; Resource estimation of Tqvarchel (Abkhazia) coal project, 2010-2011
  38. Investigator, General Directorate of Turkish Coal Enterprise; Resource estimation of Tufanbeyli (Turkey) coal project
  39. Investigator, Turkish Coal Enterprises, Resource estimation of Soma Evciler lignite basin and underground mine design.
  40. Principal Investigator, Analysis of Waste Slope stability of İvrindi Gold- Silver Project, 2016
  41. Investigator, Turkish Coal Enterprises, Karapınar Ayrancı Lignite Resource Estimation, 2014
  42. Co-Principal investigator (with 5 other co PIs), Electricity Generation Company; Resource estimation of Karapınar and Pinarca-Hallacli (Turkey) coal projects, 2013-2014
  43. Investigator, Lignite resource estimation for Karapınar and Pinarca-Hallaçli (Turkey) deposits, 2013-2014
  44. Investigator, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), General Directorate of Turkish Coal Enterprise and NETCAD; Sofware development for mine planning and production optimization, 2009-2012

Awards

İhsan Doğramacı Supreme Success Award

Awarded for outstanding academic achievement upon graduation.

Top Ranking Student

Mining Engineering Department, Hacettepe University (2008).

Contact

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Contact Details

Hacettepe University
Mining Engineering Department
Beytepe, Ankara, TURKEY