Minister Bayraktar addresses rare earth elements claims: Were they sold to the US?

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar has clarified the allegations regarding the sale of rare earth elements (REE) to the US. In his statement on the matter, Bayraktar noted that the agreement made with the US was solely related to nuclear energy and that no sale of REE was involved.

"NO REE SALE HAS TAKEN PLACE"

Speaking on a television program, Bayraktar stated, "The claim that rare earth elements were sold to the US is not true. The agreement we made with America was related to nuclear energy. If there had been a sale regarding REE, both we and they would have announced it."

BEYLİKOVA SITE HOLDS WORLD'S SECOND-LARGEST RESERVE

Bayraktar emphasized that the rare earth elements site in Beylikova, Eskişehir, is the second-largest reserve in the world. Stating that 125 kilometers of drilling have been conducted at this site, which was transferred to Eti Maden in the 1990s, Bayraktar announced that following the pilot facility established in 2020, the industrial facility will become operational by 2025.

NEW STEPS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL FACILITY

Stating that the rare earth elements site in Beylikova will be operated entirely by the state, Bayraktar said, "Our goal is to lay the foundation of the facility next year and to commission this facility within two years." Minister Bayraktar expressed that the purification rate in the processing of REEs has reached the 92-93 percent level, and they plan to increase this rate further.

INVESTMENT IN PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY

Stating that they are cooperating with universities and research institutions regarding the purification of rare earth elements, Bayraktar also announced that they are conducting technology transfer negotiations with China, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

"BEYLİKOVA WILL REMAIN UNDER STATE CONTROL"

Bayraktar also responded to claims that the rare earth elements site in Beylikova would be transferred to the private sector. He said, "Eti Maden is already 100 percent state-owned. According to the law, mines containing uranium or thorium are operated by the state. Therefore, Beylikova will also remain under state control."

24 DRILLING PLANS IN DİYARBAKIR

Minister Bayraktar announced that they are planning 24 drillings across four sites in Diyarbakır and that they are continuing their work with similar methods for natural gas production in Thrace.

LNG PURCHASES FROM THE US AND PRICING POLICY

Responding to criticisms regarding the prices of LNG purchased from the US, Bayraktar said, "The LNG we buy from the US is the cheapest option after Turkmen gas. With Henry Hub-indexed agreements, we will purchase gas at the most advantageous prices starting from 2027." Bayraktar stated that Turkey has signed gas agreements totaling 43 billion dollars and will purchase 143 billion cubic meters of gas until 2045.

News Source: 12punto