İsmet Cengiz received her B.S. in Geological Engineering from Hacettepe University in 1984 and earned his M.S. in Geological Engineering with a focus on ore deposits from the Hacettepe University in 1997. He started his career as a geological engineer at General Dırectorate Of Mıneral Research And Exploratıon (MTA) in 1985 and took on various roles in many exploration projects until his retirement in 2010.

He worked as a “Technical Leader” at Demir Export between 2010-2023 and has been providing independent consultancy services to various companies in the mining industry since 2023. İsmet Cengiz, co-founder of Gaia Geolog, has worked in different localities of Turkey and the World and has over 40 years of experience in geology, geochemistry and mineral exploration.

İsmet Cengiz participated in geochemistry studies for 5 months in Germany BGR (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe) in 1989, and in gold deposits in Nevada and California (USA) for 1 month in 1991 as part of the MTA-UN joint venture project.

İsmet Cengiz served as president of Chamber of Geological Engineers of Türkiye (TMMOB JMO) from 2002-2008. İsmet is a Competent Person (JORC and NI43-101) registered with the Australian Institute of Geologists (AIG).