$10 Billion Export Target from the Mining Sector
In his assessment regarding December 4th, World Miners' Day, he stated that mining undertakes an important task in reducing Turkey's foreign dependency, and that the sector has a foreign trade deficit of approximately $100 billion, including oil and natural gas.
Yılmaz pointed out that the foreign trade deficit originating from mineral resources is around $60 billion, saying, "Our role is very important in terms of keeping foreign currency and getting rid of foreign dependency. If we look at 2024 immediately, we think that we will close the year with a figure of around 6-6.5 billion dollars without falling below the previous year in exports."
Yılmaz emphasized that gold imports decreased this year compared to last year due to the quota introduced, and this led to an increase in gold prices in the country, saying, "Therefore, if we are to take a step from here for the next year, although imposing a quota is actually a requirement of the economy, the definite and fundamental solution is to increase production. If we can increase production in our own country, if we produce lead, copper, zinc, iron, coal, marble, natural stone, gold all in our country, and if we earn what we produce into our own economy with Turkish lira, there will be no need to impose such quotas."
Yılmaz also emphasized that Turkey is quite rich in terms of natural stone reserves, saying, "As stated in the strategy document of our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, we believe that we can very comfortably achieve the 10 billion dollar target in 2025 with the improvements we expect in the legislation, especially the improvements in the forest and pasture part."
Yılmaz stated that, in this direction, more mines should be produced and foreign currency inflow should be provided to the country, saying, "While doing these, we have a mining perspective that puts people first, then the environment, and then value-added mining, in line with sustainability principles, and that multiplies positive examples."
Increasing Sustainable Mining Examples is Targeted
Yılmaz stated that TMD is trying to create a series of standards to increase sustainable mining, and said that good examples in sustainable mining efforts in Turkey will be highlighted within the scope of the National Mining Summit'24, which is planned to be held on December 6th.
Sharing the information that TMD and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) will follow an intensive program in this context next year, he said, "We have events with our Ministry in two major areas in the world in order to showcase Turkish mining in the international arena and share our opportunities and discuss possible new investments. One of these is in the field of mining, and the other is in the field of energy. We are carrying out studies both domestically and internationally to grow the sector and expand its footprint with such activities."