Türkiye urged to form a national authority for critical minerals

A leading figure in Türkiye's mining sector has called for the establishment of a national authority dedicated to critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs). The proposal seeks to create a centralized legal and strategic framework to assess and develop the country's considerable mineral potential, reducing external dependencies.

Addressing a Geopolitical Imperative

İbrahim Halil Kırşan, Chair of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Mining Council, emphasized the geopolitical urgency. "The world is heading toward a mineral supply crisis, similar to the oil shocks of the 1970s — minerals are becoming the new oil," he stated in an interview. With China controlling a dominant share of global production and refining, access to REEs—essential for electric vehicles, defense, and renewable energy—is now a matter of national security for developed nations. Kırşan positioned Türkiye, with its significant mineral diversity and strategic location, as a crucial player that must organize its approach.

The Case for a Centralized Strategy

Currently, responsibility for rare earth elements in Türkiye is divided among three ministries: Energy and Natural Resources, Industry and Technology, and National Defense. Kırşan argued this fragmented structure hinders progress. "We need to prepare a national critical minerals strategy and establish a critical minerals technology authority to coordinate work on REEs by public institutions and universities," he said. The proposed authority would assess Türkiye's mining reserves, align projects with industrial demand, and ensure results. He suggested a commission of experts from the relevant ministries should first establish the necessary legal infrastructure.

Türkiye's Potential and Path Forward

Kırşan highlighted that Türkiye ranks eighth globally in mineral diversity and is a leading candidate in REE potential, with pilot plant work already underway in Beylikova. However, he noted the need for international partnerships. "International cooperation via joint efforts with the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and European countries that have this tech will play a key role in bringing Türkiye’s REE deposits into operation," he explained. The proposed authority is framed as the essential domestic vehicle to effectively leverage such foreign cooperation and translate mineral wealth into economic and strategic gain.