Turkey Shifts Towards US for Rare Earth Development After Stalled Talks with China and Russia

Ankara Pursues US Partnership for Critical Minerals

Turkey has entered into negotiations with the United States for the joint development of its substantial rare earth deposits located in the Beylikova region of Eskişehir province, in central Anatolia. This strategic pivot towards its NATO ally comes after earlier discussions with both China and Russia failed to progress. The talks with the US gained momentum following a recent White House meeting between President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Beylikova Deposit: A Global Resource

The Beylikova deposit is widely regarded as the world's second-largest rare earth reserve, surpassed only by those in China. Estimates place Turkey's total rare earth reserves at approximately 700 million tons, or 694 million metric tons. Initial tests have indicated that the ore contains more than 1% rare-earth oxide by weight, a concentration level deemed commercially viable for extraction. These rare earth elements, including lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium, are indispensable for a wide array of modern technologies, such as:

• Renewable energy systems
• Electric vehicles
• Advanced defense systems
• High-performance electronics

State-run Eti Maden inaugurated a pilot plant in 2023 to process 17 different rare earth elements discovered at the site. Ankara plans to expand this facility and seek international certification, such as the JORC Code, to attract further foreign investment.

Stalled Negotiations with China and Russia

Previous attempts by Turkey to develop the Beylikova field with China and Russia did not yield results. A memorandum of understanding signed with Beijing in October 2024 faltered when China reportedly refused to transfer critical processing technology and insisted that refining operations take place on its own soil. Similarly, proposals from Russia also stalled without significant progress. Turkish officials have consistently emphasized that any future agreement must guarantee domestic refining capabilities and comprehensive technology sharing, which are central to Ankara's long-term industrial strategy to build local capacity and reduce dependence on foreign partners.

Strategic Implications and Diversification Efforts

This shift in Turkey's rare earth strategy aligns with broader efforts by Western nations, including the United States and the European Union, to diversify their critical mineral supply chains and lessen their reliance on China, which currently dominates global production and processing. For Turkey, successful development of the Beylikova deposit could transform the country from a mineral resource importer into a significant producer of strategic materials. Beyond the US, Turkey is also exploring feasibility studies with potential partners in Canada and Switzerland to keep its development options open.