Turkey possesses the biggest mine resources at most of minerals in the world and it is one of the world’s rich countries.

Excluding petroleum and coal there are 4,400 mineral deposits in Turkey .The minerals which are produced from these deposits are used as raw materials for the domestic industry and excess of production is exported.

Today 53 different minerals are produced in Turkish mining sector. In Turkish mining 85 % of production is realized by public sector and 15 % is done by private sector. The main producers are Etibank, Türkiye Taş Kömürü İşletmesi (TKİ), Karadeniz Bakır İşletmeleri(KBİ), Türkiye Demir Çelik İşletmesi (TDÇİ), Türkiye Taş Kömürü Kurumu (TTK), Çinkur, Tekel and private sector companies. The public sector is dominant in fuel minerals and metalic ore production while the private sector is concentrated in industrial mineral production.

Boron

Turkey possesses two thirds of boron reserves in the world. Bor minerals proven reserves are over 870 million tons. The largest tincal deposit is located in Eskişehir’s Kırka district. Colemanite ore is obtained in Emet district of Kütahya, Bigadiç district of Balıkesir and Kestelek district of Bursa .Turkey also exports refined boron products such as acid boric, borax pentahydrate, borax decahydrate, sodiumperborate and anhydrous borax .

Chromite

Chromite ore is used in metallurgy and in chemical, refractory and casting industries. Chrome is consumed in metallurgy as ferrochromium, silicoferrochrome compounds, exothermic chrome additives, in other chrome alloys and chrome metals.Turkey has a share of 6 % in the world chromite mining and possess 25 million tons reserve. Ferrochromium is the most important product in production and exports.

The most important chromite reserves are located in Guleman district of Elazığ, Kopdağ district of Erzincan, Fethiye district of Köyceğiz, Muğla, Eskişehir and Pozantı district of Adana, Harmancık, Orhaneli district of Bursa and Pınarbaşı district of Kayseri.

Marble and Other Natural Stones

Turkey has a large quantity of marble reserves, which include a wide range of colors. Among more than 100 varieties of Turkish marble, marbles having shades ranging from very light gray to black and brilliant white are available in Turkey.

Some world famous marble varieties are Afyon White, Afyon Tigerskin, Bilecik Pink, Marmara White, Burdur Brown, Denizli Travertine, Elazığ Cherry , Karacabey Black, Gölpazarı Beige, Milas Kavaklıdere, Aeagan Bordeaux, Akşehir Black, Thracian Granite and Ayvalık Granite. In addition, Turkish marble has a quality, which can compete easily with all other worldwide marbles.

Turkey has a 40% share of world marble reserves. The total reserves including proven, probable and possible reserves are about 5 billion m³. Important marble reserves are found in Afyon, Bilecik, Burdur, Denizli, Muğla, Elazığ, Balıkesir and Eskişehir. In Turkey annual block marble production is around 1200 thousand tons and the production of tiles and slabs is around 13 million square meters.

Recently granite has been widely used in Turkey. It is extensively used for the inner and outer decorations of buildings because of its appearance, durability against external conditions and high resistance to wear. Turkey has wide granite reserves in many cities such as Ordu, Rize, Trabzon, Balıkesir, Kırklareli, Kırşehir Bolu, İzmit, Çanakkale and İzmir.

Modern production equipment and methods have been very important factors in the development of the natural stone industry in Turkey. The increase in production, the vitality of the construction sector in the domestic market and the presence of new technologies have contributed to widespread use of natural stones as a construction material.

The natural stone sector in Turkey has developed rapidly in the last ten years. Total natural stone exports were 158 million dollars in 1999. Processed marble ranks first with a 114 million dollar export earning. Block marble takes second place with 29 million dollars.

Other Important Minerals Produced in Turkey

The other important minerals which are commercially mined in Turkey are, magnesite, barytes, pumice, bentonite, kaolin, refractory and ceramic clays, copper, lead, zinc, sulphur, diatomite, feldspar, alumina, salt, calcite, perlite, emery, celestite, zeolite etc.

MINING EXPORTS OF TURKEY 1999

QUANTITY: 1000 TONS VALUE: US $ MILLION