ISLAMABAD, NOV 13 (DNA): Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye Ahmet Berat Çonkar on Friday said Türkiye and Pakistan had considerable opportunities to strengthen cooperation in mining technology, local mineral processing, vocational training and industrial development.

Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26), he said Türkiye’s experience showed that a successful mining industry required a predictable investment environment, strong institutions, modern infrastructure and a clear vision to transform natural resources into lasting economic value.

He said Türkiye was working to strengthen its regulatory framework, streamline administrative procedures and enhance investment security through transparent licensing procedures and effective coordination among public institutions.

He said reliable energy supplies, transportation networks and logistics infrastructure were also essential for reducing operational costs and making mining projects commercially viable.

Highlighting the importance of geological knowledge and institutional capacity, he said exploration was the foundation of the mining industry, while reliable geological information helped reduce investment risks and exploration costs.

He said Türkiye’s General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) played a critical role in geological research and mining exploration. The country had also established TÜVEK, its National Geoscience, Data and Core Sampling Information Centre, to improve access to geological information and support informed investment decisions.

Çonkar said Türkiye focused on developing the entire mining value chain rather than concentrating solely on mineral extraction.

He said that of approximately 90 minerals traded commercially worldwide, 77 existed in Türkiye, while the country currently produced nearly 60 of them.

He said Türkiye aimed to create greater economic value through domestic processing, refining, the production of intermediate and finished products, and the development of mining technologies and equipment.

He said this required cooperation between governments and the private sector, technology transfer, research and development, and stronger domestic industrial capabilities.

He said the success of mining investment should not be measured only by the volume of minerals extracted, but also by the industrial capacity, technological knowledge, employment and economic value created in the host country.

The deputy minister stressed that mining development must be sustainable, inclusive and people-centred, creating skilled employment, supporting local businesses, contributing to regional development and strengthening the national workforce.

He said the sector must also comply with high environmental, health and safety standards.

“Our entire strategy is guided by our Minister’s clear motto: ‘Human First, Environment Second, and Value-Added Mining Third’,” he said, adding that economic development and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.

He said responsible resource management, environmental rehabilitation, engagement with local communities and investment in vocational education were essential for the long-term success of the mining sector.

Referring to bilateral cooperation, Çonkar said the opportunities between Türkiye and Pakistan were aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of moving beyond the export of unprocessed raw materials towards greater local beneficiation and value creation.

He said Türkiye’s experience showed that mineral wealth alone could not guarantee a successful mining industry, as it required sound policies, investor confidence, strong institutions, modern infrastructure, technological capabilities and environmental responsibility.

He said the objective was to ensure that mining investments created lasting value for investors, economies, industries and people in the countries concerned.