Turkey and the United States have initiated formal discussions to develop a major rare earth element (REE) deposit in the Eskişehir-Beylikova region, a move that signals a significant strategic alignment between the two NATO allies. The negotiations aim to establish a partnership for the extraction and processing of minerals essential for high-tech industries, from electric vehicles to advanced defense systems, potentially reshaping global supply chains.
These developments, which have gained momentum following President Erdoğan’s visit to the White House last month, were detailed in a report by the Turkish news outlet Kısa Dalga. The publication noted that Turkey is aiming to establish a strategic partnership with the U.S. in this critical sector. The accelerated talks underscore a deliberate pivot by Ankara towards Western collaboration for its valuable mineral resources.
The turn towards Washington comes after previous negotiations with China and Russia failed to yield an agreement. According to reports, talks with Beijing stalled after it reportedly insisted that the extracted ore be processed within China, a condition Ankara rejected as it seeks to build its own domestic processing capabilities. Subsequent discussions with Russia also proved fruitless, prompting Turkey to actively seek Western partners to develop the promising reserve.
The Beylikova deposit is reported to contain several strategically vital elements, including cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium. While the full quality and scale of the reserve have yet to be independently verified, initial findings indicate the ore contains over 1% rare earth oxide, a concentration considered commercially viable for extraction. These elements are indispensable components in the production of high-strength magnets used in everything from wind turbines and smartphones to guided missiles.
To support its ambition, Ankara plans to construct a domestic rare earth refinery in Beylikova, ensuring control over the entire value chain from mine to magnet. Feasibility studies are already underway in collaboration with Canadian and Swiss firms. In a crucial move to attract international investment and ensure the project adheres to global standards, Turkey is also preparing an application to the Australian Joint Ore Reserves Committee for JORC Code certification. This globally recognized standard will be vital in formally verifying the reserve's size and determining its investment value, providing the transparency Western partners require.
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