Turkey aims to achieve the record high gold production in the history of the Turkish Republic. Producing 43 tons of gold in 2020, Turkey aims to achieve at least 45 tons of gold production which is historic high for Turkey, by the end of the year.
According to Gold Miners Association Chairman of the Board Mehmet Yılmaz’s comments at Anadolu Agency, Turkey aims to increase both gold production and employment despite the hardships experienced due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Setting their aim as producing 100 tons of gold in 5 year, Yılmaz said: “We will achieve our goals with the support of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and by complying with the legislation. Recently, an objective has been set for the sector to produce 100 tons of gold in five years, and the industry will make every effort to achieve this goal.” Yılmaz also said: “In line with this, our target is to increase the output to at least 45 tons by the end of 2021 and to create added value by ramping up production as much as possible. Hence, we intend to meet our objectives of producing 100 tons in the next five years if we get permission from the public for about 20 projects waiting in line.”
Emphasizing gold import of the Turkey worth about $25 billion last year, Yılmaz said If Turkey can produce gold on its land, the monetary equivalent in imports will remain in the country’s economy. Local production could also offer more employment opportunities in the sector to boost employment from the current 13,000 to 20,000.
Stating that Turkey’s gold mining industry produces gold at a quality which exceeds global standards and with sustainability and safety by using a highly skilled workforce, Yılmaz advocated for prioritizing public and environmental concerns in the further development of this sector in Turkey. To this end, he said that reforestation in the area would be an important element after the completion of operations.
Yılmaz added “The most important thing here is that we should assume an analytical environmentalist approach. We will both secure the environment and bring resources into our economy.”
