The laboratory contains infrastructure and equipment dedicated to mineral deposits, ore microscopy, and fluid inclusion research. It houses a hand-specimen collection of ores and industrial raw materials collected from various mineral deposits in Turkey and around the world for undergraduate and graduate course and research purposes, as well as sample preparation tools and microscopes for ore microscopy and fluid inclusion examinations.
The service area of the laboratory is primarily oriented toward research within M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses. Outside of these scope areas, it is also capable of conducting studies aimed at solving problems related to ore deposits and ore microscopy for public and private institutions under collaborative projects.
Infrastructure
There is no technical staff permanently assigned to the laboratory. Sample preparation, microscopic, and fluid inclusion studies are carried out by M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.
As sample preparation infrastructure required for ore microscopy and fluid inclusion research, a sample cutting machine (Struers Secotom 10) and a semi-automatic polishing machine (Struers Tegrapol 25) are available. In addition to sample preparation equipment, there are three research microscopes for ore microscopy investigations (Leitz SM-LUX-POL, Leitz Ortholux, and Leica DM2500 P). Two of these microscopes feature real-time imaging and digital photo capture systems.
The laboratory also features a Leica DM2500 P microscope equipped with a Linkam LNP fluid inclusion cooling system and Linkam THMSG600 stage integrated with a continuous video camera. Using this fluid inclusion system, research is conducted to determine formation temperatures of ore samples and salinities of ore-forming fluids.
Work & Analyses Performed
- Preparation of polished sections from ore and industrial raw material samples for microscopic examination.
- Preparation of doubly polished thick sections for fluid inclusion studies.
- Determination of mineralogical composition and textural characteristics of ore and industrial raw material samples.
- Fluid inclusion analysis in ore and industrial raw material minerals.
Quality Assurance & Accreditation
Work conducted in the laboratory does not consist of routine analytical tasks, but rather research carried out within thesis and project frameworks. Therefore, there is no formal quality assurance system as found in continuous routine testing facilities. Researchers utilizing the lab are required to have taken relevant courses or have experience in microscopic examinations and fluid inclusion studies, or to work under the supervision of experienced doctoral students and the laboratory supervisor. The laboratory holds no external institutional accreditation.
Analysis & Service Fees (Year 2026)
Laboratory utilization is free of charge for department academic staff, with only consumable costs being charged. For project-based studies, fees are determined according to project scope and requirements. Fees for individual external requests are as follows:
| Procedure / Service |
Unit Price (excl. VAT) |
| Sample cutting |
100 TL / sample |
| Preparation of ore and industrial raw material polished section |
500 TL / section |
| Preparation of fluid inclusion thick section |
1000 TL / section |
| Ore microscope usage fee |
150 TL / hour |
| Fluid inclusion analysis system usage fee |
300 TL / hour |
| Determination of mineralogical composition and textural properties of ore and industrial raw materials |
2000 TL / sample |
| Fluid inclusion analyses in ore and industrial raw material minerals |
4000 TL / sample |
Note: Laboratory utilization is free for department academic staff with only consumable costs requested. For project-based studies, pricing is calculated according to project requirements.