ATO/Baran: One Percent of Our GDP Comes from the Mining Sector

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ATO/Baran: One Percent of Our GDP Comes from the Mining Sector

Forex - Gürsel Baran, President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), stated that 70 out of the 90 minerals traded worldwide are found in Turkey, and 22 of these are exportable. He remarked, "In 2023, the mining sector, with a volume of 270 billion Turkish Lira, achieved a level equivalent to 1% of our Gross National Product, and has surpassed a level of 5 billion dollars in exports. The mining sector, which provides inputs as raw materials and products to the manufacturing industry, is a unique sector that enhances the economy through its direct contributions to many industries."

Baran participated in the opening program of the "MIS Mining Congress, Construction Machinery and Equipment Fair," held at the ATO Congresium Congress and Exhibition Center. He emphasized the historical significance of minerals for humanity, speaking in a program attended by the North Macedonia Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi, the North Macedonia Ambassador to Ankara Jovan Manasijevski, ATO Council Chairman Mustafa Deryal, Ankara Chamber of Industry Chairman Seyit Ardıç, Halkbank General Manager Osman Arslan, OSTİM OSB Chairman Orhan Aydın, ATO Board Member Ali İhsan Güçlü, Deputy Council President Ali İhsan Özdemir, Global Energy Association President Murat Dilek, OSİAD Board President Süleyman Ekinci, ATO members, sector representatives, and numerous guests.

Baran noted that Turkey is among the somewhat self-sufficient countries in terms of mining. He reiterated that 70 out of the 90 minerals traded worldwide are sourced from Turkey, with 22 being in a position to be exported. "The mining sector, achieving a volume of 270 billion Turkish Lira in 2023, has surpassed a level of over 5 billion dollars in exports, making significant contributions to the economy across numerous sectors," he added.

  • TURKEY IS RICH IN BORON - Reminding that boron is Turkey's richest mineral reserve, Baran stated, "Turkey holds 72% of the world's boron reserves. We are among the top exporters of marble and travertine. Our zinc, copper, and chrome ores are exported from China to America, and from Spain to India."

  • ANKARA IS A PIONEER IN MINING - Stating that Ankara is rich in terms of mineral and raw material resources and is a leader in the sector, Baran explained, "Materials such as trona, cement raw materials, bentonite, rock salt, limestone, sand-gravel, sodium sulfate, and marble are among Ankara's riches." He also pointed out that the labor-intensive mining sector directly employs over 150,000 people and indirectly supports over 2 million.

Emphasizing that the mining sector is also related to environmental issues, Baran remarked, "Global concerns about climate change are increasing. The mining sector will not remain indifferent to the changes and transformations occurring in our export markets, as it is one of the sectors most affected by the Green Deal and green transformation processes. Leading organizations in the sector are closely monitoring the process. While our country is making steady progress towards the goals of producing and exporting high value-added products, it is also taking significant steps to ensure production in an eco-friendly manner. Implementing new environmental standards in our mines may appear to be an immediate issue, but it is our foremost responsibility towards future generations."

Baran noted that the business and construction machinery sector is also included in the fair, highlighting its key role in the Turkish economy and industry. Addressing the contributions of the Fair, which started on October 30 and will continue for three days, Baran stated, "Delegations from Germany, the UK, China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, African countries, and Turkish states will be present at this event, where global collaboration opportunities will arise. Recent developments in the mining sector, innovative practices, and sustainability-focused solutions will also be discussed."

  • BARAN MET WITH THE MINISTER OF MINES FROM CONGO - During the opening of the Fair, Baran met with Wamana Tanda Nicodème, Minister of Mines, Environment, and Sustainable Development of the Lualaba Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kosovo Deputy Minister of Economy Getoar Mjeku along with their delegations. Murat Dilek, President of the Global Energy Association, was also present at the meeting.