Türkiye’s new mining law to enhance rehabilitation and safety

Preparations are underway for a new mining law in Türkiye, with a strong focus on site rehabilitation, environmental permits, and workplace safety regulations.

Speaking to the press in Türkiye’s Kutahya province, Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Abdullah Tancan highlighted the importance of the new law, which aims to make rehabilitation efforts more effective and sustainable. “Previous amendments to the Mining Law were mostly through various omnibus bills. Now, we are working on a comprehensive mining law that will ensure safer mining practices. Our goal is to make the rehabilitation of mining sites more active, healthier, and sustainable,” Tancan explained.

Comprehensive approach

Tancan noted that they are working on proposals to strengthen rehabilitation efforts. He clarified, “We plan to establish a system that calculates and deposits rehabilitation costs into a designated account.”

“After a mining license holder completes operations, rehabilitation expenses will be drawn from this account,” he added. “If the invested amount earns interest and there’s a surplus after the rehabilitation project is completed and approved by the relevant public institution, the remaining balance will be refunded to the license holder. If there’s a deficit, the holder will be required to cover the difference.”

The General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG), which manages the rehabilitation fund, will not be subject to general fund regulations, according to the Deputy Minister.

Increased rehabilitation fees

Tancan proposed modifying the rehabilitation fees. “We are collecting the current fees, but they might not be sufficient,” he said. “We’re considering raising them to more accurate levels,” he added.

He also promised to regularly update them. Additionally, the new Mining Law will place greater emphasis on improving workplace safety measures in the mining sector.