Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar attended the Occupational Health and Safety in Mines Vision Organization program organized by the Turkish Coal Producers Association (KÖMÜRDER) in a hotel in Ankara.
Minister Bayraktar noted that, as the ministry, they increased their inspections on mines and said, “This year, as of April 15, 3 thousand 225 mining license areas were inspected. We cannot support any business that does not prioritize its employees. I believe that the Turkish economy will continue on its way much stronger by adding underground riches to its economy as soon as possible.” said.
Absolute Independence
In his speech here, Minister Bayraktar stated that imported energy poses a serious current account deficit problem and said, "We must make our country independent in energy and mining. We continue our National Energy and Mining Policy, which we implemented in 2017, with determination. We aim to constantly increase investment, production, employment and exports in every field, from domestic coal to gold, from rare earth elements to boron mines. In this way, Turkey will become a much stronger, more prosperous and much larger country.” said.
Must Be in Economy
Stating that Turkey provides 36 percent of its electricity production and 26 percent of its primary energy supply from coal, Bayraktar stated that 2022 million tons of coal will be imported in 39 and 2023 million tons in 41. Pointing out that many developed economies of the world use coal intensively, Bayraktar said, “We see how the consumption of European countries that say 'We are getting out of coal' is increasing. We say that coal must continue to be in the economy for a certain period of time. Of course, by following the safest and most environmentally friendly methods in its production and use.” he said.
Exports Increase
Reminding that the record in the history of the republic was broken with 2022 billion dollars of mineral exports in 6,5, Bayraktar said, “Although there was a slight decrease last year, our mineral exports entered an increasing trend again this year. We achieved a growth of around 5 percent in the first quarter of the year. Our ultimate goal is to make our country a net exporter in minerals. The share of mining in GDP was 2002 per thousand in 6. We have reached this rate to 21 percent in the past 1,4 years. Our goal is to increase this share first to 2028 percent in 2 and to 5 percent in the following period.” made his assessment.
Work conditions
Bayraktar stated that they have made significant improvements in the working conditions of mining workers in the last 22 years and said, “We have arranged the salaries to be at least 2 times the minimum wage. We limited the working hours from 45 hours per week to 37,5 hours. We obliged businesses to have insurance policies for the personnel they employ. "We will take steps to further improve the working conditions of our workers who earn their living by making new regulations as much as our means allow." said.
Will Increase Production
Pointing out that occupational health and safety is a very important and sensitive issue, Bayraktar said, “We see it as one of our most basic duties to protect the rights of our miners, who earn their living through halal hard work, and to ensure that they work under the safest conditions. We know that the value we give to our miners will increase production and employment. "We need to bring our underground resources into the economy without compromising occupational health and safety." he said.
Inspections Increased
Minister Bayraktar emphasized that they increased the inspections on mines and said, “MAPEG carried out 2023 thousand 8 inspections on mining license areas in 828. As a result of the investigations, an administrative fine of 1 billion 260 million lira was imposed. A total of 2 operations were stopped due to detected non-compliances. This year, as of April 421, 15 thousand 3 mining license areas were inspected.” said.
People First
Bayraktar said that the most important responsibility regarding occupational health and safety falls on mining operators and added: “You need to run your businesses without making any compromises in this area and without risking a single employee. 'First people, then the environment, then value-added mining.' we say. Therefore, it is out of the question for us to support any business that does not prioritize its employees.” he said.
We will ask for your account
Speaking about the landslide that occurred in the mine in İliç district of Erzincan on February 13, Bayraktar said, “Our state was there with all its resources from the first minute, and it is still there. We spent 20 days there continuously. We found the lifeless body of one of our brothers before the holiday. Our work continues to search for our 8 brothers buried underground. In addition, as the state, we will hold accountable anyone who was negligent or at fault in this sad incident.” said.
With the Faith of the First Day
Minister Bayraktar continued as follows: Although the incident on February 13 seems to have dealt a blow to our motivation and energy, I still believe with the faith and motivation of the first day that the Turkish economy will continue on its way much stronger by adding underground riches to its economy as soon as possible.