{"id":10628,"date":"2025-08-20T02:24:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T02:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/10628\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T02:24:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T02:24:11","slug":"turkiyes-untapped-3-5t-mining-potential-seen-as-key-to-narrowing-trade-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/10628\/","title":{"rendered":"T\u00fcrkiye’s untapped $3.5T mining potential seen as key to narrowing trade gap"},"content":{"rendered":"

The mining sector carries strategic importance and could be seen as key to narrowing the trade deficit of T\u00fcrkiye, which is yet to fully utilize its massive underground potential, according to industry representatives.<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye recorded a foreign trade gap of $49.3 billion (TL 2.02 trillion) in the first half of the year, of which $20.8 billion stemmed from the mining and quarrying industry, according to data from the Turkish Miners Association (TMD).<\/p>\n

“T\u00fcrkiye’s underground potential is worth $3.5 trillion. It is unacceptable to run an annual trade deficit of $50 billion-$60 billion while leaving this potential untapped,” TMD President Mehmet Y\u0131lmaz said.<\/p>\n

Although exploration licenses cover 7.7 million hectares across the country\u2019s 78.3 million-hectare land area, actual operating licenses represent just one-thousandth of that total. On average, only one in every 200 exploration permits becomes an active mine.<\/p>\n

Mining activity in forest areas accounts for only 0.1% of T\u00fcrkiye’s total surface area, with rehabilitation and reforestation mandated by law. So far, around 11,325 hectares have been rehabilitated.<\/p>\n

Y\u0131lmaz says mining should be a “locomotive sector” for T\u00fcrkiye’s economy, citing developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Russia, China and India, where he says mining has historically played a central role in industrial development.<\/p>\n

“Considering our underground potential, activating the mining sector is an inevitable and highly significant reality,” he noted.<\/p>\n

Gold, boron, marble<\/strong><\/p>\n

Y\u0131lmaz underlined T\u00fcrkiye’s global significance in several key resources, including gold, boron and marble.<\/p>\n

The country holds 73% of the world\u2019s boron reserves, though value-added production remains limited.<\/p>\n

Exporting refined boron products to industries such as glass, fertilizer, batteries and defense could generate an additional $2 billion annually, said Y\u0131lmaz.<\/p>\n

In marble, he said boosting sales of processed products rather than raw exports could add $1.5 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n

“We are the world leader in boron. And we have branded products in the marble sector,” he added.<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye’s gold reserves are estimated at about 5,000 tons, but could rise toward 10,000 tons with updated surveys, according to Y\u0131lmaz.<\/p>\n

Critical role in green transition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Y\u0131lmaz also pointed to the role of critical minerals in the global energy transition.<\/p>\n

“Lithium, graphite and rare earth elements are vital for producing electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. The shift to green energy will require six to nine times more mining. We must mobilize this potential,” he said.<\/p>\n

He noted that T\u00fcrkiye has “strategic” reserves of lithium, silver, titanium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and aluminum, which are resources crucial for defense, renewable energy and high-tech industries.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing the rising demand for minerals driven by clean energy technologies, Y\u0131lmaz said: “An electric vehicle requires six times more minerals than a conventional car, while an offshore wind turbine uses 13 times more minerals compared to a natural gas power plant.”<\/p>\n

He added that T\u00fcrkiye’s target of adding 60 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2035 will significantly increase demand for mining inputs.<\/p>\n

Y\u0131lmaz emphasized that industrial dependence on foreign sources is “unacceptable.”<\/p>\n

“Positioning mining against the environment and local communities is wrong. Any mining activity that prioritizes people and the environment within a framework of sustainability should be supported,” he said.<\/p>\n

Addressing debates over mining in olive groves, Y\u0131lmaz said activities could proceed if international criteria and safeguards are met. “Olive trees are sacred, but just like industrial plants, housing projects, or highways can cause damage, mining too can be managed in a way that balances national interest,” he added.<\/p>\n

He also highlighted misconceptions about mining in forest areas, noting that only 0.038% of forest land is used for mining. “Preventing the misuse of such misperceptions is in the nation’s best interest,” he said.<\/p>\n

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