Plenary Session 1

09:30 – 11:00 / 24 June 2026   Kavaklıdere Ballroom

Türkiye’s Mining Vision: Export Growth & Strategic Autonomy

Background

Driven by a state target to scale solar and wind capacity to 120 gigawatts by 2035, Türkiye is pivoting from a traditional exporter of raw minerals into a high-value midstream refining hub. This structural shift moves beyond the historical "dig-and-ship" model, prioritising domestic value-chain integration and technological sovereignty. The cornerstone of this ambition is the world-class Beylikova rare earth elements (REE) project in Eskişehir.

Key themes
  • Downstream Industrialisation: Mandating local, midstream refining to ensure raw geological wealth is directly converted into high-value manufacturing inputs.
  • Geopolitical Integration: Positioning Türkiye as a secure, ESG-compliant partner bridging Western supply chains with Eurasian mineral wealth.
  •  Regulatory Streamlining: Centralising ministerial oversight to accelerate strategic permitting while ensuring strict alignment with international standards like the EU Green Deal.