Dem don propose new plan for Türkiye to set up critical minerals authority wey go assess the country potential for rare earth elements (REEs), na the chair of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Mining Council talk so.

For interview with Anadolu, Ibrahim Halil Kirsan yan say rare earths get plenty use for different sectors like electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, renewable energy, industrial robots and defence industry, and e add say dem still dey form one corner stone for trade wahala between China, the US and the EU.

Kirsan talk say REEs and other critical minerals don change how countries dey set their geopolitical priorities, as dem dey face "a new industrial revolution."

"The world dey head go mineral supply crisis, similar to the oil shocks of the 1970s; minerals dey turn to the new oil," e talk.

Risk wey dey affect national security and supply

Kirsan yan say as many sectors dey digitalize and dey electrify, plus the rising use of clean energy technologies, developed countries don begin see access to critical and strategic minerals as matter of national security.

E talk say China control about 70% of global critical mineral production as of last year, and Türkiye wey dey for geographical crossroads between Asia and Europe na important country wey get strong mining potential.

E talk say Türkiye dey rank eighth among 168 nations for mineral diversity, 22nd for reserves, and 28th for value, and e call the country "one of the leading candidates in the field of REEs."

Kirsan yan say work don start for Eti Maden’s Beylikova REE pilot plant for central Türkiye, after experimental studies show positive results.

"Right now China get 90 percent monopoly for refining rare earth worldwide and e no dey share the technology with other countries," e talk. "International cooperation through joint efforts with the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and European countries wey get this tech go play key role to bring Türkiye’s REE deposits into operation."

Call make dem prepare national strategy and coordinate work

"We need to prepare a national critical minerals strategy and establish a critical minerals technology authority to coordinate work on REEs by public institutions and universities," e note.

Kirsan talk say responsibility for rare earth elements for Türkiye right now dey split among three ministries: Energy and Natural Resources Ministry dey oversee raw materials, Industry and Technology Ministry dey handle processed products, and National Defence Ministry dey focus on defence and security-related uses.

"If dem establish the legal infrastructure for this proposed structure, including its missions and regulations, through a commission of experts from these three ministries, e go benefit Türkiye for its REE operations," e talk.

E add say this agency go assess Türkiye mining potential, the industry’s supply-and-demand based mineral and metal needs, and go make sure say mining projects produce results.