By New York, NY, September 16th, 2025, Mining engineer Mekan Rozgeldiyev has emerged as a rising figure in the global mining industry, recognized for his innovative contributions to underground mine safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability. A graduate of Usak University’s Mining Engineering program in Turkey, Rozgeldiyev has applied his expertise at Çayeli Bakır İşletmeleri A.Ş., a subsidiary of Canadian multinational First Quantum Minerals, where his work has been credited with driving measurable improvements in both safety and profitability.
Rozgeldiyev began his career at Çayeli in 2018, quickly taking on critical responsibilities in one of Turkey’s largest and most technically challenging underground copper and zinc mines. The mine, operating under complex geotechnical conditions, faced recurring ground stability challenges and costly equipment downtime. Rozgeldiyev designed and implemented a comprehensive rock mechanics model and introduced a new ground support system that reduced downtime-related losses by nearly 40%, saving the operation approximately $80,000 annually while ensuring worker safety.
In addition, his redesign of drilling and blasting procedures significantly improved fragmentation quality, reducing equipment maintenance costs and boosting ore recovery efficiency by an estimated 15%. These optimizations generated annual savings of roughly $50,000, strengthening the mine’s overall performance and reinforcing confidence from First Quantum Minerals’ Canadian headquarters in its Turkish operations.
Industry experts have praised Rozgeldiyev’s problem-solving approach and technical leadership. “Mekan’s ability to combine engineering knowledge with practical mine applications has had a direct financial and safety impact on Çayeli’s operations. His work continues to set new benchmarks for underground mining practices,” said David Anderson, Senior Mining Engineer at First Quantum Minerals.
Looking ahead, Rozgeldiyev intends to bring his specialized knowledge to the United States, where mining innovation and supply chain resilience are strategic national priorities. He aims to contribute to projects that emphasize safety, sustainability, and efficiency, while also mentoring the next generation of engineers to strengthen the U.S. workforce in critical industries.
“The global demand for critical minerals has never been higher. My goal is to apply what I’ve learned to help advance U.S. mining operations in a safe, efficient, and sustainable way,” Rozgeldiyev said.
With a proven record of measurable results, leadership in distinguished organizations, and recognition at both national and international levels, Mekan Rozgeldiyev stands as an emerging leader whose expertise directly supports the future of global mining.
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