Turkish investment fund makes 'responsible mining assurance' mandatory

The platform's founder and Chairperson of the Board, Prof. Dr. Leyla Keser Berber, noted that TETHYS's core mission is to integrate critical raw materials, energy transition infrastructure, and sustainable mining ecosystems with global investment capital.

Unlike traditional mining funds, TETHYS does not focus solely on raw material extraction. The platform follows an integrated finance and investment strategy that covers all processes from mining to processing, green industrial integration, and carbon-neutral logistics infrastructure. This approach ensures that investments are evaluated not only by their financial returns but also by environmental and social sustainability principles.

Speaking to Habertürk, Berber explained TETHYS's role in energy markets. Pointing out that the platform could play a critical role in unlocking the potential of energy resources in Central Asia and Eurasia, Berber stated that their goal is to encourage investments in these regions.

Berber shared the following regarding the platform's operating principles:

'Our goal is to support regional economic development, fair resource management, and strategic cooperation between countries while ensuring the security of supply for the essential raw materials required for the energy transition in Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.'

CENTRAL ASIA'S ENERGY POTENTIAL

TETHYS's investments aim to strengthen this corridor in terms of industrial and mining integration. Berber stated that projects such as the Trans-Caspian Transportation Infrastructure Project (Middle Corridor) offer the safest and most economical logistics route that can be integrated into Europe. Berber also emphasized that regional development and fair transition processes are vital for long-term supply chain security.

Explaining why Eurasia and Central Asia are critical regions for the energy transition, Berber said:

'This region possesses large reserves containing the fundamental components of the green technology revolution, such as copper, lithium, graphite, nickel, and rare earth elements. However, these resources have not been sufficiently utilized until now.'

IRMA'S IMPACT ON THE MINING SECTOR

TETHYS stands out as the first investment platform to mandate IRMA standards in Eurasia and Central Asia. IRMA is known as an independent standard developed to ensure sustainability and transparency in the mining sector. Berber stated that IRMA has become not just a certification, but a new investment requirement. Berber also emphasized that the sustainability standards applied to mining products in major markets such as the US, the EU, and Japan are compatible with IRMA.

Berber added the following:

'By 2030, ESG-based investment funds are expected to account for 80% of global investment volume. It will not be possible for projects without IRMA certification to access these funds.'

IRMA offers independent audit mechanisms that make risk analysis more reliable for investors. In this way, the environmental and social impacts of investments can be evaluated more clearly. Berber explained this situation by saying, 'IRMA is creating a deep-rooted paradigm shift in the mining sector. Companies no longer see sustainability as a marketing element; they are now forced to comply with these standards.'