Turkey plans to initiate gold production in Niger by 2025, focusing on securing raw materials through international mining operations. In addition, new mineral deposits have been discovered domestically, particularly in the Black Sea region. A memorandum of understanding signed with Niger aims to encourage cooperation in mining for sustainable development.
Turkey is set to commence its gold production in Niger in 2025, as announced by the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, at the Türkiye Mining Summit held in Istanbul. He emphasized that Turkey manages mining operations across a variety of geographical regions, including those spanning from Asia to Africa, to secure a stable supply of raw materials. Currently, Turkey is actively exploring various gold mines in Niger and intends to initiate its first production in 2025 with MTA IC, which is a subsidiary of Türkiye’s General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration.
Within Turkey, new mineral deposits have been uncovered in the Central and Western Black Sea regions, attributed to enhanced drilling and exploration activities. Significant copper reserves have been identified, enhancing the nation’s profile in mineral extraction. Bayraktar noted that ongoing explorations have revealed promising deposits of important minerals such as molybdenum, copper, and gold, signifying Turkey’s extensive mineral resources. The increasing demand for copper and metallic minerals is driven by the ongoing green transformation in energy and zero-carbon targets.
In October, Minister Bayraktar engaged with Niger’s Minister of Mines, Abarchi Ousmane, in Istanbul, where they formalized their cooperation in mining by signing a memorandum of understanding. This agreement aims to bolster sustainable development through the mining sectors of both countries, encouraging investments from both public and private sectors in Niger’s mining industry, while prioritizing negotiations and information sharing for effective mineral exploration.
Turkey’s involvement in gold mining in Niger marks a significant expansion of its mining operations internationally, particularly in Africa. This initiative is a part of Turkey’s broader strategy to diversify its raw material supply chain and enhance domestic production capabilities. The country’s recent geological surveys and exploration activities reveal an increasing focus on mineral wealth, notably the extraction of copper and critical minerals, to meet the demands of a transitioning energy sector. The memorandum of understanding signed with Niger underscores Turkey’s commitment to fostering international collaborations in mining, which is essential for sustainable economic growth in the sector.
In summary, Turkey is poised to start its gold production in Niger by 2025, reflecting its strategic approach to securing mineral resources globally. The ongoing exploration activities within Turkey continue to yield significant mineral discoveries that will bolster the domestic mining sector. Coupled with international collaborations such as the recent agreement with Niger, Turkey is well-positioned to enhance its role in the global mining industry, ensuring both economic growth and sustainable development.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
