The 2026 Helmuth Burckhardt Prize goes to Sana Mehmandoust from Clausthal University of Technology
The VRB honours the outstanding academic achievements, practice-oriented research and international commitment of a young mining engineer
The Association for Raw Materials and Mining (VRB), Berlin/Germany, has awarded this year’s Helmuth Burckhardt Prize to Sana Mehmandoust, M.Sc., from Clausthal University of Technology. The award, worth 7,500 euros, was presented at the VRB’s annual conference in Berlin. With this prize, the leading association of the German mining industry recognises outstanding academic achievements, professional commitment and the exceptional development potential of young talent for the raw materials sector.
Sana Mehmandoust impressed the selection committee with her excellent academic record, her internationally oriented educational background and her ability to link scientific findings to the practical challenges of mining.
After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Iran, she continued her academic studies at Clausthal University of Technology, where she graduated from the international Master’s programme in Mining Engineering with an overall grade of 1.3. Her Master’s thesis, which received a grade of 1.0 and was produced in collaboration with the shaft construction company Redpath Deilmann, received particular recognition. In it, she developed a decision-making module for selecting suitable ventilation systems during shaft sinking – a complex engineering problem with direct implications for the safety and efficiency of underground mining projects.
In addition to her academic achievements, Mehmandoust stands out for her remarkably broad professional engagement. She supported university teaching, was active in university committees and mining student networks, and participated in initiatives to promote young talent.
She has also already gained professional recognition internationally. At the 2026 Regional Meeting of the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP) in Kalgoorlie, Australia, she gave a presentation on ‘Digitalisation in Transitional Mining’. Furthermore, she contributes to scientific papers on digitalisation and sustainable development in mining.
Since June 2025, Sana Mehmandoust has been working as a research assistant at the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering and Mine Surveying at Clausthal University of Technology. There, she is continuing her academic development as a PhD student.
“In Sana Mehmandoust, we are honouring a young engineer who epitomises the future of our industry: technically excellent, with an international network, practice-oriented and open to technological change. The mining industry of tomorrow needs people who not only master existing technologies but are also prepared to break new ground and take on responsibility. Ms Mehmandoust is exceptionally well-suited to this role,” emphasised VRB Managing Director Dr Martin Wedig at the award ceremony.
The Helmuth Burckhardt Prize has been awarded since 1971 for outstanding academic achievement in the fields of mineral resources engineering and mining. The financial support associated with the prize is intended, in particular, to enable the award-winning young professionals to gain additional international experience in mineral resource extraction as part of a study trip.
With this year’s award, the VRB underscores the importance of high-calibre university education in mining and the promotion of qualified young professionals. Particularly in light of growing demands regarding raw material supply, digitalisation and sustainability, highly trained and internationally experienced engineers are indispensable for the future of German and European mining. (VRB/MRG)
