Türkiye and China Sign MoU to Boost Mining Cooperation

On October 16, Türkiye and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in mining and rare earth elements. The agreement was signed by Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Guanghua, with the goal of identifying and pursuing joint projects in these critical sectors. During the International Mining Conference in Tianjin, China, Bayraktar emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to investing in critical minerals and rare earth elements, noting the country’s recent discovery of significant reserves in Eskisehir. He expressed Türkiye’s interest in building a purification facility to bring these resources into the economy.

In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), Bayraktar stated, “In today's world, when the global mining sector is going through a critical period, joint projects between China and Turkey in the field of mining have great potential. With the agreement we signed, we aim to advance cooperation in every field of mining, particularly on critical minerals.” He emphasized the importance of this partnership for both countries in the broader context of global mining and energy transitions.

The MoU between Türkiye and China aims to foster collaboration in mining technologies, digitization, and the exploration of critical minerals within both countries and in third-party nations. Bayraktar expressed optimism that the agreement would lead to tangible projects in the near future, further strengthening the mining relationship between the two nations. He added, “I hope that the agreement will be beneficial for both countries and will turn into concrete projects as soon as possible.”

Both ministers underscored the increasing significance of critical minerals in the global energy transition. As the demand for these minerals rises, driven by the growth of renewable energy technologies, Bayraktar stressed the need for strong international cooperation to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid potential supply shortages. The agreement is viewed as an important step in addressing these concerns and supporting both Türkiye’s and China’s roles in the global energy market.

The MoU is expected to serve as a legal framework to strengthen mining cooperation between Türkiye and China. Bayraktar also invited Chinese companies to invest in Türkiye’s mining sector, noting the country’s focus on sustainable development and its abundant resources.

Türkiye also announced plans to establish an industrial facility that will purify up to 570,000 tonnes of rare earth elements. The country has invited international partners to collaborate on this project “based on mutual benefit,” further enhancing global cooperation in the mining sector.

During the conference, Bayraktar also held meetings with ministers from Zimbabwe, Congo, and Tajikistan to explore potential mining partnerships, reinforcing Türkiye’s commitment to expanding its global role in critical mineral development.