Turkey is repositioning its critical minerals sector to move beyond raw-material exports toward an end-to-end model covering exploration, refining, processing, trading and downstream industrial manufacturing. The shift is linked to competition for copper, lithium, rare earths, boron and other strategic minerals. Ankara’s strategy is also described as aligned with Europe’s energy transition and advanced technology needs.
Beylikova rare earth processing complex in Eskişehir
A central element of Turkey’s plan is the Beylikova Rare Earth Elements Project in Eskişehir. The government is targeting around $600 million in investment for a large-scale processing complex. The facility is designed to handle about 570,000 tonnes of ore annually and create roughly 1,500 direct jobs.
The project is intended to develop domestic capacity for rare earth separation and refining. Rare earths are cited as inputs for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, industrial motors and defense systems. Global refining remains concentrated, with China controlling more than 85% of rare earth refining capacity.
For Europe, the emergence of a rare-earth processing hub within a customs-union partner country is described as a diversification pathway. The approach is referenced as aligning with the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and broader industrial security strategy.
Boron reserves and Eti Maden downstream processing
Turkey also holds a dominant position in boron resources, controlling approximately 73% of global reserves. Boron is traditionally used in glass, ceramics and detergents, while its growing applications include advanced materials, energy storage systems and high-performance industrial uses.
State-owned mining group Eti Maden has developed downstream boron processing capacity. This capacity is described as laying groundwork for Turkey’s move into value-added mineral production. The policy direction is presented as shifting boron from a simple export commodity to a strategic industrial input for next-generation technologies.
Copper policy aimed at expanding refining capacity
Copper is identified as another pillar of Turkey’s critical minerals agenda. Despite substantial domestic resources, Turkey continues to export significant volumes of semi-processed copper while importing higher-value refined products. New policy initiatives are aimed at expanding domestic refining and processing capacity.
The stated objective is to capture more value internally by building infrastructure for industries linked to electrification, renewable energy and industrial decarbonization. The direction reflects a broader trend toward value creation in processing and refining rather than extraction alone.
Mining policy linked to industrial manufacturing ecosystems
Turkey’s mining strategy is described as reflecting changes in how mineral wealth is approached across countries. In the current critical minerals economy, the focus is presented as moving toward refining capacity, chemical processing and industrial transformation. These downstream segments are described as often generating higher margins and greater strategic leverage than mining operations.
An integrated approach is outlined through the linking of mining policy with national industrial strategy. Resource development is connected with battery production, electric mobility, renewable energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing ecosystems. The model is compared to approaches used in major industrial resource economies where minerals policy aligns with long-term technological competitiveness.
Proposed national mining exchange for price transparency
Turkey is also advancing plans for a dedicated mining exchange platform to support sector modernization. The initiative is intended to improve price transparency, investment access and commodity trading efficiency across materials including gold, copper, boron and strategic minerals.
The reform is described as having potential implications for capital inflows despite being technical in appearance. Improved price discovery and transparency are typically associated with lower financing risk during early development stages. The exchange proposal is positioned within a context where global mining finance increasingly involves sovereign wealth funds, industrial investors and export credit agencies.
Logistics role between Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East
Turkey’s geographic position is presented as providing structural advantages for critical minerals logistics, refining and trading. The country sits between Central Asia’s resource-rich territories, Europe’s industrial base and the Middle East’s fast-growing economies. This positioning supports expansion of processing facilities, storage infrastructure and commodity trading networks.
For Europe specifically, proximity is cited as offering shorter transport routes and improved regulatory alignment. It also references potentially lower geopolitical exposure compared with more distant suppliers.
Export outlook tied to processed critical minerals growth
Industry forecasts suggest Turkish mining exports could exceed $10 billion by 2026. The outlook is attributed to rising global demand for critical minerals, industrial metals and processed materials.
While traditional commodities remain relevant, future growth is expected to concentrate more on value-added and technology-linked materials. Particular emphasis in the forecast context includes materials tied to electrification and energy transition systems.
Downstream focus across rare earths, boron and copper value chains
The strategy’s significance is described through its focus on downstream industrial capacity rather than resource ownership alone. Value creation in modern mining is presented as depending on transforming raw materials into usable industrial inputs such as battery chemicals, magnet materials and refined metals.
Turkey’s investment push spans the Beylikova rare earth complex alongside boron processing capacity and copper value-chain expansion. Proposed trading infrastructure is also part of the broader effort described as aiming to build a regional critical minerals processing hub rather than only exporting raw materials.
