Mining Sector Enters Technology and E-mining Era

Recently, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey, with the contribution of the Ministry of Commerce of the Republic of Turkey and organized by İMİB, held a Sectoral Vision Meeting themed "Mining for Humanity".

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez emphasized that all mining processes could be carried out electronically through e-Mining, and shared information that with the National Mining Resource and Reserve Reporting Commission (UMREK) established in 2017, reporting in international standards and valid codes could be conducted in mines.

"We Have Eliminated Bureaucratic Processes That Slowed Down Operations in the Sector"

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez said in his speech that they had eliminated bureaucratic processes that slowed down operations in mining and that the e-Mining project would be made available to the sector with all its features. Dönmez recalled that the project was included in the Second 100-Day Action Program. Dönmez stated that with e-Mining, all processes could be conducted electronically, and explained that with the National Mining Resource and Reserve Reporting Commission (UMREK) established in 2017, reporting could be done in international standards and valid codes in mines. Noting that this development would substantially assist miners with financing, Dönmez reported that around 8,000 licensed mining sites were inspected in 2018 for "safe mining". Saying "By 2023, we will have increased the number of inspected sites to 14,000", Dönmez continued as follows: "We have greater potential in mining but we cannot fully benefit from it. The share of mining in gross domestic product is at the one percent level. We want to double this in the first stage. Later, we must increase it to the five percent level. On the other hand, in 2018 we implemented many firsts. The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant was inaugurated, we put the TANAP project into operation. Additionally, we completed natural gas supply to all 81 provinces. We began deep-sea drilling in the Mediterranean. In mid-next month, we will also bring the second drilling vessel to the Mediterranean. With two drillings per year, we will do everything we can to gain hydrocarbon reserves for our country." İMİB Chairman Aydın Dinçer, who delivered the opening speech of the meeting, said they reached an export figure of USD 4.5 billion in 2018. Expressing that they work with the motto "Mining for Humanity" to be present in every field mankind requires, Dinçer said that everything in life is a mining product. Saying that the majority of the sector consists of SMEs and the sector provides employment to 150,000 people, Dinçer noted that the sector indirectly touches 750,000 people. İMİB Chairman Dinçer said, "In cooperation with the Ministry, we are conducting studies on the importance of mining, its financial structure and sustainable mining. Production for export and incentives for production are necessary. To reach our 2023 targets, we must work harder in 2019 and the following years. On the other hand, we advocate the necessity of creating the Mining Law from scratch together with the sector. Mining operations are as important to Turkey's economy as industrial establishments. For this reason, investments in sustainable mining must be realized, and at this point, state incentives must be increased."