Türkiye's rare earth element initiative! Critical steps taken during Berat Albayrak's term: Slowly emerging

Rare Earth Elements play a critical role in heavy industry, as well as in next-generation vehicles, aircraft, engine production, and other areas. As Turkey continues to reap the rewards of its groundbreaking advances in the energy sector, the importance of the rare earth element field in Eskişehir's Beylikova district has become increasingly discussed.

694 MILLION TONS OF RESOURCES

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan provided important information on this issue in his address to the nation after the Cabinet Meeting.

President Erdoğan said, "Approximately 125,000 meters of drilling has been conducted in 310 different locations at the rare earth element field in the Beylikova district of Eskişehir to date. A total of 694 million tons of resources, primarily rare earth elements, barite, and fluorite, have been identified at the site."

Takvim Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Faruk Erdem also made noteworthy assessments of Türkiye's rare earth element initiatives during the A Haber live broadcast:

"It's reported that there are 694 million tons of reserves. We have the second-largest reserves after China. As with boron, simply possessing it isn't enough. Technology is also needed to put it to use in other areas. We've previously held discussions with China regarding technology transfer. Turkey is developing technology. We also need technology from abroad."

"SERIOUS RESEARCH WAS CONDUCTED DURING BERAT ALBAYRAK'S PERIODS AS ENERGY MINISTER"

This is a great asset of Türkiye. We didn't know what we had beneath our soil before. During Berat Albayrak's tenure as Minister of Energy, a very serious investigation was conducted in Türkiye. That information, that inventory, is slowly emerging, and we're using it. Turkey no longer asks anyone about utilizing these riches, and it doesn't even have to.

APPROXIMATELY 125,000 METERS OF DRILLING IN 310 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS

Another priority of our energy policy is to offer our minerals to international markets with added value. Rare earths, in particular, play a critical role in many areas, from the defense industry to renewable energy systems, from electric vehicles to communications and space technologies. Approximately 125,000 meters of drilling have been conducted to date at 310 different locations in the rare earth element field in the Beylikova district of Eskişehir. A total of 694 million tons of resources, primarily rare earth elements, barite, and fluorite, have been identified at the site.

THE SECOND LARGEST FIELD IN THE WORLD...

This field is approximately the world's second-largest rare earth resource. The Beylikova field, which contains 10 of the 17 rare earth elements, contains approximately 12.5 million tons of rare earth oxides. We aim to be one of the world's top five rare earth element producers. We are continuing our efforts in this direction. Initially, we have commissioned the Eti Maden Pilot Production Facility, which will process 1,200 tons of ore annually. We are continuing our work, including purification technology, to transform the pilot plant into an industrial facility. I must emphasize that countries and companies with rare earth element technology are unfortunately hesitant to share their experience with production processes in this area. Overcoming this obstacle and rapidly integrating existing fields into the economy necessitates international collaboration.

President Erdoğan, recalling that many countries have signed agreements with countries experienced in technology development, consultancy, and technology transfer, said, "As Turkey, we are also holding talks with expert organizations of countries with technological expertise to develop collaborations. In this sense, giving the rare earth element field in Beylikova to any other country is out of the question. Whoever claims this is slandering their own country."

"MY NATION SHOULD TRUST US AND BELIEVE US"

"Those who don't want Türkiye to utilize its underground resources for its economy always do this. First, they try to obstruct mineral exploration and discovery. When they fail in that, they then worry about sabotaging its operation," Erdoğan said, adding that the equation is actually very simple.

Erdogan continued:

If possible, obstruct; if not, discredit. This is precisely what is happening with rare earth elements. The goal is to prevent Türkiye from benefiting from this underground resource. Note that those who slander our government on this issue are also the same ones who have been harping on about our Black Sea natural gas discoveries and our oil discoveries in Gabar. If you recall, instead of providing support there, they immediately tried to cover up. They're doing the same thing today. Believe me, nothing will change tomorrow. I ask my nation to be vigilant against this. Let my nation trust us and believe in us. God willing, we will not betray this trust.