Rare Earth Elements in Turkey: Emerging Prospects

purifying REEs from mineralization areas, recycling rare earths from electronic waste, undertaking R&D for Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets and high-value-added products, and developing the research infrastructure and commercialization of new products using REEs.

The project has aimed to strengthen the national REE ecosystem, improve Munzur University Rare Earth Elements Application and Research Center (MUNTEAM)’s infrastructure, establish a recycling facility at the General Directorate of Mineral Research Exploration (MTA), provide training and consultancy for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and stakeholders, and raise awareness about REEs.

The first sectoral workshop12 of the REE Project was held from 31 January to 1 February 2023 at MTA in Turkey. The workshop aimed to increase Turkey’s national R&D capacity in REE and establish a sustainable supply chain for economic development. Participants included SMEs, R&D centers, manufacturing companies, and entrepreneurs in the field. The workshop featured presentations on REE deposits, ore processing, purification techniques, production from primary and secondary sources, and business potentials. It also involved group work and discussions on resource potential, mining, purification, recycling, and industrial applications of REEs. The workshop facilitated networking and collaboration, showcasing Turkey’s increasing prioritization towards REE sector.

Path Ahead
The discovery of substantial rare earth reserve in Turkey offers the potential to boost its deteriorating economy and diversify the global supply chain. However, Turkey will have to work on multiple aspects, including lowering extraction costs and setting up a complete and durable industrial chain. In such context, it is yet to be seen whether Turkey will collaborate with China to gain technical expertise and technology or continue its existing collaboration with the EU. Whatever course it takes, it may be said that there is a long and arduous path ahead for Turkey to gain the requisite industry experience to become a significant producer of rare earths.

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2.Xianbin Yao, “China is moving rapidly up the rare earth value chain”, BRINK News, 7 August 2022.

3.“Rare Earths Statistics and Information”, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

4.Xianbin Yao, “China is moving rapidly up the rare earth value chain”, BRINK News, 7 August 2022.

5.“Minerals Security Partnership”, U.S. Department of State, 14 June 2022.

6.Silvia Boltuc, “Turkey Discovered A Massive Reserve Or Rare Earth Elements”, Special Eurasia, 4 July 2022.

7.“Turkey touts discovery of world’s 2nd-largest rare element reserve”, Daily Sabah, 12 July 2022.

8.“Turkey uncovers world’s second-largest rare earth element reserve”, Anadolu Agency, 2 July 2022.

9.David Boos, “Turkey Discovers World’s 2nd Largest Rare Earth Element Reserve”, The European Conservative, 23 July 2022.

10.Chris Baraniuk, “Turkey Probably Hasn’t Found the Rare Earth Metals It Says It Has”, Wired, 13 July 2022.

11.“Enhancing the Rare Earth Elements (REEs) Research and Innovation Capacity of Turkey”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Turkey, 4 April 2023.

12.“Rare Earth Elements Project Held Its First Sectoral Workshop”, Ministry of Industry and Technology, Republic of Turkey, 31 January 2023.

Abhishek Yadav is a Research Analyst in the West Asia Centre at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. This article was originally published by Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses. Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the government of India.