Turkey occupies one of the world’s most strategically important crossroads, linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East—a position that profoundly influences its mining and metals strategy. Over the past decade, the country has steadily expanded domestic production, particularly in gold, copper, boron, and chromite. Among these resources, boron stands out: Turkey holds the world’s largest reserves and is investing aggressively in high-value boron products for industrial applications, clean technologies, and advanced manufacturing.
Gold remains Turkey’s flagship mineral, central to both economic policy and national financial stability. Modern exploration methods and updated mining legislation have fueled production growth and improved the regulatory environment for investors. For Ankara, expanding gold output is not only about boosting exports — it is also a way to strengthen national reserves and reduce the country’s reliance on imported bullion.
Momentum is also building in rare-earth exploration. As global demand accelerates for minerals used in wind turbines, electric-vehicle motors, high-tech electronics, and defense applications, Turkey aims to position itself as a regional supplier of both heavy and light rare earth elements. Early results from pilot projects in mineral sands and alkaline complexes suggest growing potential for commercial development.
Geopolitics further shape Turkey’s strategy. The government envisions the country as a refining, processing, and manufacturing hub for minerals moving from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East toward European markets. Major infrastructure upgrades, expanded industrial zones, and new export corridors linked to the Bosphorus and Mediterranean ports are reinforcing this ambition and strengthening Turkey’s logistical advantage.
Yet the mining sector also faces challenges, particularly surrounding environmental protection and community opposition in sensitive regions. These tensions underscore a broader national debate on sustainable development.
Despite these pressures, Turkey’s mining and metallurgical capabilities continue to advance. With growing production, strategic geography, and rising expertise in value-added processing, the country is becoming an increasingly influential player in Eurasian–Middle Eastern mineral supply chains — and a key contributor to the global transition toward cleaner, technology-driven industries.
