Turkiye has officially joined the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a forum aimed at collaborating with Western nations on the production of rare earth elements and critical raw materials. This move is part of Turkiye’s strategy to strengthen its position in this vital sector following recent mineral discoveries.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed Turkiye’s participation in the MSP, indicating that a formal announcement will be made in the coming weeks. The MSP comprises 14 countries and the European Union, focusing on diversifying the secure supply chain of rare earth and critical minerals. Launched this year, the forum includes mineral-producing nations like Kazakhstan, Namibia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, working together to reduce dependency on China, which currently dominates the market.
As global demand for these minerals rises—used in high-tech devices and electric vehicle batteries—Turkiye is positioning itself as a significant player. Officials aim to produce hundreds of thousands of tonnes of minerals annually, including rare earth oxides, barite, fluorite and thorium, essential for nuclear technology.
This development follows Turkiye’s 2022 announcement of the discovery of the world’s second-largest rare earth element reserve, a 694-million tonne deposit in Eskisehir. However, Turkiye is still in the early stages of establishing the infrastructure for factories and refineries and requires advanced technology and funding. The MSP forum could facilitate this by connecting Turkiye with Western investors, export credit agencies, and development finance institutions, encouraging investment in its mineral projects.
