Ali Emiroğlu, President of the Turkish Miners Association, said that there are 4,500 tons of gold waiting to be discovered underground in Turkey. Emiroğlu stated that there are currently 1,500 tons of gold that can be produced in Turkey and said, "Apart from this, we have 4,500 tons of potential gold reserves waiting to be discovered underground. The market value is approximately 285 billion dollars. In order to turn this value into production, we first need to search and find it. Approximately 13-18 billion dollars of risk capital is needed for exploration activities."
According to a report in Hürriyet Newspaper by Neşe Karanfil, Emiroğlu stated that there are eight companies that actually produce gold in Turkey, and that about half of the gold production is carried out by four companies with 100 percent domestic capital. Emiroğlu stated that two of the remaining four companies have local-foreign partnerships.
Stating that Turkey is located in a fault geography, Emiroğlu said, "We are located in the middle of the Tethys Metallogonic Belt, which extends from Switzerland to India and is especially rich in gold, silver, copper, zinc, cobalt and nickel. This is why there is gold in many parts of Turkey's geography. We should definitely utilize this wealth that nature has bestowed on our country."
Stating that gold production in Turkey started in 2001, Emiroğlu noted that a total of 452 tons of gold has been produced so far. Stating that approximately 38 tons of gold production is expected this year, Emiroğlu said, "The sector has two targets. One is exports worth 15 billion dollars. The second is to reach an annual gold production target of 100 tons. Our country has the potential to realize this. Our mineral exports were 6.5 billion dollars last year. Unfortunately, it will decrease a little this year."
Stating that 180 thousand people are employed in the mining sector, Emiroğlu said, "The statistical multiplier of the mining sector is 4. In other words, one person working in the mining sector opens up job opportunities for four people in other sectors. If we realize our target of $15 billion in exports and 100 tons of production under gold, we will at least triple this employment. For this, the projects awaiting permission need to be realized quickly."
Upon being reminded of the incidents in Akbelen, Emiroğlu said, "I think it was due to the lack of proper management of public relations. In fact, we have experienced similar situations in previous years. Correct information, open and transparent communication is the most important stage. It should have been said that in the future these areas would be reforested, olives would be replanted, the existing olive groves would be saved and transferred to other places. This should have been done at the very beginning." Stating that it is neither cost-effectively nor practically possible to bring coal from Soma by truck and run a thermal power plant there, Emiroğlu said, "That's why the coal in Akbelen needs to be mined. However, afterwards, its rehabilitation must be done in the right way, and it is absolutely necessary to check and inspect whether it is correct or not. In all mining areas, it is extremely important that the area is rehabilitated and delivered in the right way."
Stating that the mining sector has a high negative perception that it does not deserve, Emiroğlu said, "However, when we look at world countries such as America, Canada, Australia, China, India, Russia, Germany and France, which have developed and completed their development in mining, we see how much importance they attach to the mining sector. They did not leave even a gram of wealth underground. We, too, should know how to use and produce our own resources correctly, while respecting people and nature. As the sector, we are ready to take this responsibility."
News Source: https://madencilikturkiye.com/ali-emiroglu-4-bin-500-ton-altin-kesfedilmeyi-bekliyor/