Turkey plans to increase mineral exports four fold in five years

Among countries with the largest underground resources, Turkey is ranked 28th on production and 10th on the variety of minerals found.

 

Turkey is very rich in terms of industrial raw materials as well as metallic ore, raw energy materials and geothermal source, the Anatolian Agency said, citing a report prepared by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Explorations (MTA).

 

The existence of 77 out of the 90 different ores traded globally has been confirmed in Turkey, while the country currently produces nearly 60 different kinds of ores and minerals.

 

Turkey's shares in the global metals reserve and global industrial raw materials reserve are 0.4 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, the report added. Turkey has a 1 percent share in global coal reserves and 0.8 percent in global geothermal potential.

 

Sector officials expect mineral exports to hit $10 billion in 2010 from $2.72 billion in 2007 as the sector's restructuring and planning process is underway.