MINING INDUSTRY IN TURKEY

Production

The minerals sector is one of the leading sectors supplying raw materials to domestic industry. Turkey possesses the largest resources of most minerals in the world and is one of the world's richest countries in minerals. Excluding petroleum and coal there are 4,400 mineral deposits in Turkey.

The geology of Turkey is extremely complex and is reflected in the diversity of its mineral deposits. Best known for its industrial minerals, Turkey is a major producer of boron minerals, feldspar, marble, baryte, celestite (strontium), emery, limestone, magnesite, perlite and pumice. A wide variety of primary metallic minerals are produced as well. Copper and chromite are the most significant minerals in the metals sector. Turkey is a major world producer of processed mineral commodities, including refined borates and related chemicals, cement, ceramics and glass. Also, Turkey is a significant producer of ferrochromium and steel.

Today 53 different minerals are produced in the Turkish mining sector. Most of the production is realized by the private sector. The main producers are Eti Holding A.Ş., Turkiye Tas Komuru Isletmesi (TKI), Karadeniz Bakir Isletmeleri (KBI), Turkiye Demir Celik Isletmesi (TDCI), Turkiye Tas Komuru Kurumu (TTK), Tekel and private sector companies. The public sector is dominant in fuel minerals and metallic ore production while the private sector is concentrated on industrial mineral production.

After late 1993, the production of industrial and metallic minerals has shown a steady increase due to the rise in domestic and world demand. Consequently the share of mineral exports in the total exports of Turkey increased to 1,4 billion dollars in 2005. Main export products of Turkey in the sector are: natural stones, natural borates and concentrates, copper ores and concentrates, feldspar, chromium ores, ferrochromium and magnesite.

Marble And Other Natural Stones

Turkey has large marble reserves which include a wide range of colors. Among the more than 100 varieties of Turkish marble, marbles having shades ranging from very light gray to black and brilliant white are available in Turkey.

Some world famous marble varieties are Afyon White, Afyon Tigerskin, Bilecik Pink, Marmara White, Burdur Brown, Denizli Travertine, Elazig Cherry, Karacabey Black, Golpazarı Beige, Milas Kavaklidere, Aeagan Bordeaux, Aksehir Black, Thracian Granite and Ayvalik Granite. In addition, Turkish marble has the quality which can compete easily with all other worldwide marbles.

Turkey has a 40% share of world marble reserves. The total reserves including proven, probable and possible reserves are about 5 billion m3. Although resources are spread all over the country, the major marble centers are found in Afyon, Bilecik, Burdur, Denizli, Mugla, Elazig, Balikesir and Eskisehir. In Turkey annual block marble production is around 1200 thousand tons and the production of tiles and slabs is around 13 million square meters. The products include a wide range of marble, travertine, granite and onyx.

Recently granite has been widely used in Turkey. It is extensively used for the inner and outer decorations of buildings because of its appearance, durability against external conditions and high resistance to corrosion. Turkey has wide granite reserves in many cities such as Ordu, Rize, Trabzon, Balikesir, Kirklareli, Bolu, Kirsehir, Izmit, Canakkale and Izmir.

Modern production equipment and methods have been very important factors in the development of the natural stone industry in Turkey. The increase in production, the vitality of the construction sector in the domestic market and the presence of new technologies have contributed to the widespread use of natural stones as a construction material. Turkish natural stone exports have increased significantly since 1980, in line with the development of Turkey's economic performance and reached 801 million dollars in 2005. This figure includes 603 million dollars for processed marble, 159 million dollars for block marble and 39 million dollars for granite and other hard stones. Processed marble is the highest valueadded product and it is the most important export item in total marble exports. In 2005 major markets for Turkish processed natural stones exports were USA, the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Canada. In 2004 Turkey ranked 2 nd in rawblock natural stone exports in the world with a share of 15%. (International Trade CenterTrade Map) In addition Turkey is ranked 3rd with a share of %7 in processed natural stones.

With its vast reserves, advanced processing techniques and capacity, Turkey is one of the important centers of the world natural stone industry. These stones are exhibited in international and local fairs. Two fairs related to the natural stone industry will be held in

Turkey. “The International Marble & Natural Stone Technologies Fair” which is organized by IZFAŞ, Izmir Fair Services in Izmir every year in March, is a meeting place for the international natural stone industry. “Natural Stone, International Marble, Natural Stone Products and Technologies Exhibition Fair” which is organized by CNR International Trade Fairs Inc, in İstanbul.

Boron Minerals

Turkey possess two thirds of the world's borates reserves and a 40% stake in the world market. Proven reserves of boron minerals are over 870 million tons. The largest tincal deposits are located in Eskisehir's Kirka district. Colemanite ore is obtained in the Emet district of Kutahya, Bigadic district of Balikesir and Kestelek district of Bursa.

Turkey is the second largest producer of boron minerals in the world after the United States of America. 10% of the production is sold as mineral, the rest is used in chemicals production.

Borate reserves are worked by Turkey's largest state owned mining company, Eti Holding A.S., under its subsidiary Eti Bor A.S. Eti Bor A.S. is the only producer and exporter of boron minerals in Turkey. Eti Bor ranks as the second largest producer, close to Rio Tinto Borax of the USA, in the global borate hierarchy. Eti Bor's core business is boron and the company will be aiming in the future at strengthening its position in the market and becoming more competitive. Eti Bor mines colemanite, tincal and ulexite in western Anatolia, 70 - 100 km east of Izmir and produces a range of refined borates from these ores, plus boric acid and sulphuric acid.

Turkey exports boron chemicals such as boric acid, boraxpentahydrate, boraxdecahydrate, sodium perborate and anhydrous borax .

In 2005, the total export value of borate minerals was 97 million dollars. Major markets were the China, USA, Spain and the Netherlands.

Copper

Turkey's proven copper reserves are about 3.7 million tons metal copper, total reserves are 15.8 million tons. Turkey has three important copper reserves; the East Black Sea, Southeast Anatolia and Thrace. Karadeniz Bakir Isletmeleri is the only blister copper producer in Turkey which was privatized recently. Cayeli Bakir Isletmeleri, Etibank Bakir Isletmesi and BerOner are the other important copper manufacturers.

Rods, profiles and cables are the most important export products in the sector. Turkey's copper ore exports were 85 million dollars in 2005. The main buyers were Bulgaria, Japan, Sweden and Finland. In 2004 Turkey ranked 14th in copper exports in the world (International Trade CenterTrade Map)

Feldspar

Turkey possess 10 % of total world feldspar reserves. Turkey's feldspar reserves are estimated to be 130 million tons. Important feldspar reserves are located in ManisaDemirci, KutahyaSimav, AydinCine and MuglaMilas.

The rise in world production of white body tile and granito tile has increased the demand for feldspar. Turkish producers are now competing in the domestic and international markets to supply this material. Most of the feldspar is produced by the private sector and 90 % of the production is exported.

Feldspar exports started in 1990 and it is reached 104 million dollars in 2005. Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Poland were the most important markets for Turkish feldspar. In 2004 Turkey ranked first in feldspar exports in the world with a share of 45%. (International Trade CenterTrade Map)

Chromite

Turkey has a 6% share in world chromite mining and possess 25 million tons of reserves. Ferrochromium is the most important product in production and exports . In 2004 Turkey ranked 4thin chromite exports in the world with a share of 9%. (International Trade CenterTrade Map)

The most important chromite reserves are located in Guleman district of Elazig, Kopdag district of Erzincan, Fethiye district of Koycegiz, Mugla, Eskisehir and Pozanti district of Adana, Harmancik, Orhaneli district of Bursa and Pinarbasi district of Kayseri.

The majority of Turkey's chromite production has been consumed, by the ferrochromium industry. In 2005, Turkey's total export of chromite was 104 million dollars. Major markets were the China, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. The most important ferrochromium markets for Turkey were the United States of America, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Magnesite

Turkey's magnesite reserves are about 168.4 million tons. Most of these reserves are concentrated in Konya-Kutahya-Eskisehir triangle. Besides some reserves are located in Erzincan and Canakkale.

Raw magnesite, dead burned and caustic calcined magnesite are produced in Turkey. Several small companies also produces raw magnesite. Some provide raw magnesite to the large domestic deadburned magnesite producers or to the ceramic industry, while others export their products. Magnesite is exported as raw magnesite, calcined, sintered and burned. Besides magnesite is exported as bricks which are used in the ironsteel industry.

In 2005, magnesite exports realized about 42 million dollars. Austria, Ukraine, Greece and Germany were the major markets for Turkish magnesite. In 2004 Turkey ranked 4th in magnesite exports in the world with a share of 5%. (International Trade CenterTrade Map)

Zinc

Turkey's zinc reserves are about 2.7 million tons. Although Turkey has 2.07 % of world zinc reserves, ore production is only 0.28 % of world production. Zinc oxide ore reserves are located in the Zamanti (KayseriNigdeAdana) district of Middle Taurus. In addition some small reserves are found in Konya, Malatya, Bingol and Bitlis.

Turkey annually produces about 40 thousand tons zinc metal. Half of the production is consumed in the domestic market and the rest is exported. Exports increase parallel with the increase in production. In 2005, approximately 42 million dollars worth of zinc ore and concentrate had been exported mainly to Bulgaria, Belgium, Finland and Japan.

Pumice

Turkey's proven, probable and possible pumice reserves are about 2.8 billion m3. The present reserves in Turkey are concentrated in Central Anatolia especially in the UrgupAvanos and TalasTamarzaDeveli district of Kayseri. It is also found in the Bitlis, Van, Agri and Kars districts of Eastern Anatolia, Nigde, Konya, Ankara, Isparta and Mugla.

The total value of Turkey's pumice exports was 88 million dollars. Germany, Turkmenistan, Russia and Algeria were important pumice markets in 2005. In 2004 Turkey ranked 3rd in pumice exports in the world with a share of 11%. (International Trade CenterTrade Map)

Barytes

Turkey possess 2.1 % of the total world reserves and Turkey's baryte reserves are 26 million tons. These reserves include good quality barytes whether ground, crude or micronized. The largest share of Turkish barytes production is sold to oil drillers. Important baryte deposits are located in Konya, Maras, Mus, Antalya and Kutahya.

Being located near the most important consumers of barytes, Turkey has a good opportunity to export baryte products. In 2005, Egypt, Italy and Finland (International Trade CenterTrade Map)were the major markets for Turkish barytes.

In 2004 Turkey ranked 6th in baryte exports in the world with a share of 6%. (International Trade CenterTrade Map)

Bentonite and Kaolin

Turkey's bentonite reserves are 370 million tons. The production of ground bentonite has been rising steadily during the last 20 years. At present Turkey is a net exporter of bentonite. Known bentonite deposits are found in EdirneEnez, Cankiri, TokatResadiye, AnkaraKalecik and GiresunTirebolu.

Bentonite production and exports have been increasing throughout the 1990's and reached 13 million dollars in 2005. Bentonite exports were mainly directed to Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.

Known kaolin reserves are found in Balikesir village district of Marmara region, Nevsehir, Nigde, Bolu, Canakkale and East Black Sea region. Turkey's probable kaolin reserves are about 100 million tons. In 2005, the total export value of kaolin was 6 million dollars. Tunisia, Spain and Greece ranked as top markets for kaolin in 2005.

Perlite

Over half of the perlite reserves of the world are in Turkey. Turkey's possible perlite reserves are about 4.5 billion tons. The most important perlite reserves are found in Cumaovasi, Manisa, Biga, Soma, Izmir, Dikili, Konya and Erzincan. In 2005, the major destination countries for perlite were Spain, Italy, Belgium and India .

Other Important Minerals

Turkey has a wealth of industrial minerals. The other important commercially produced minerals are plaster, sepiolite, diatomite, zeolite, sulphur, lead, silver, antimony, alumina ore, gypsum, phosphate, salt, sodium, sulphate, quartz, industrial sand, dolomite, talc, wollastonite, kyanite, calcite, emery rock and calcium fluorite .

Exports

Turkish mining exports reached 1,5 billion dollars in 2005. Turkey's mineral exports were 2 % of Turkey's total exports in 2005. Copper, chrome and zinc are the major metallic minerals which are exported. Natural stones, borates, feldspar, magnesite, pumice stone, baryte, kaolin and clays are the most important industrial minerals. In Turkey's mineral exports the European Union countries, the North American countries, other European countries and Asia countries were the main markets.

The most important export items in the sector are natural stones. Among natural stones block marble, processed marble and granite are the leading export products. Processed marble has the largest share in total natural stone exports with 603 million dollars export value in 2005. Block marble exports is realized about 159 million dollars in 2005 and China is the biggest buyer.

Boron minerals and concentrates are the other important minerals in the sector. Boron mineral exports reached 97 million dollars in 2005. China is the most important market with a share of 33%. The third important export product is feldspar with an export value of 104 million dollars. In feldspar exports Italy is the most important buyer.