Mining activities in Turkey are regulated by the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG), and mining licenses are granted exclusively to Turkish citizens and legal entities established under the laws of the Republic of Turkey.
Mining Licensing Process in Turkey
The first step in mining activities is company establishment and registration with the Chamber of Commerce. Once the company is officially registered, the relevant mining license application must be submitted.
Mining licenses are classified into six different groups based on the type of mineral to be extracted. Before applying, it is crucial to determine the correct group classification of the target mineral. Seeking assistance from geological engineers is highly recommended in this process.
Types of Mining Licenses in Turkey
Mining licenses in Turkey are categorized into six groups, as follows:
Group I – Construction and Road-Building Materials
- Natural sand and gravel used in construction and road-building
- Brick-tile clay, cement clay, marl, trass, and other materials used in the cement and ceramics industries
Group II – Aggregate and Decorative Stones
- Aggregate, crushed stone, and ground materials (limestone, dolomite, granite, basalt, etc.)
- Decorative stones (marble, travertine, granite, andesite, basalt, etc.)
Group III – Minerals from Marine and Lake Sources
- Salt extracted from seawater, lakes, and springs, carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen sulfide
Group IV – Metal and Industrial Minerals
- Clays and derivatives (kaolin, bentonite, illite, etc.)
- Boron minerals, barite, talc, graphite, quartz, feldspar
- Metals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, lead, zinc, iron, chromium, and nickel
Group V – Precious and Semi-Precious Stones
- Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, opals, tourmaline, topaz, and other gemstones.
Group VI – Radioactive Minerals
- Radioactive elements and other radioactive substances
Understanding the Mining Activities and Licensing Process in Turkey
Mining license applications are submitted through the e-Mining System via the following steps:
1. Application via e-Government Portal
- Visit www.turkiye.gov.tr and log into the e-Mining System.
- Navigate to Application Transactions > New Application to start the process.
2. Completing Application Information
- If the applicant is an individual, their identity and authorization are verified.
- If the applicant is a legal entity, authorization documents must be submitted.
- Registered Electronic Mail (KEP) and National Electronic Notification System (UETS) addresses are mandatory.
3. Selecting the Mineral Group
- Applications can only be submitted for Group II-b and Group IV minerals through the e-Mining System.
- If the selected group is valid, the process continues. Otherwise, the application is rejected.
4. Approval of the Application Commitment
- The applicant must electronically approve the initial application commitment.
- The request is then registered in the system.
5. Payment of the Application Fee
- The application fee must be paid via:
- Vakifbank branches, mobile banking, or internet banking
- Other authorized payment institutions
- If the payment is not completed, the application is automatically canceled.
6. Entry of Coordinates and Mining Area Mapping
- After payment, the mining area coordinates must be entered manually, uploaded as a coordinate file, or drawn within the system.
7. Granting of Mining License Rights
- If approved, the applicant must pay the Exploration License Fee within two months.
- If not paid, the application is canceled.
8. Verification of Special Permit Areas
- If the mining area overlaps with a special permit zone, additional approvals are required.
- If there is no conflict, the process continues.
9. Final Approval and Submission of Required Documents
- After obtaining the Exploration License, the applicant must submit all necessary permits and documents to MAPEG within one year.
10. Final Review and Issuance of License
- Financial capability and project documents are reviewed.
- If approved, the Preliminary Exploration License is granted.
- If rejected, the application is canceled, and the mining area is reopened for new applications.
Conclusion
The mining activities and licensing process in Turkey require thorough preparation, compliance with regulations, and expert guidance. Mining activities in Turkey are strictly regulated and require careful planning and compliance with legal procedures. To successfully navigate the licensing process, obtaining expert consultancy services is highly recommended.
For more information about mining licenses and regulatory requirements, feel free to contact us.