---
title: "Turkey’s Newfound Cache of Rare Earths Could Supply the World’s EVs and More"
description: "Turkey's rare earth mineral reserve rivals the size of China's, and could satisfy global demand for decades to come."
date: "2022-07-06"
modified: "2022-07-06"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/turkeys-newfound-cache-of-rare-earths-could-supply-the-worlds-evs-and-more"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
---

# Turkey’s Newfound Cache of Rare Earths Could Supply the World’s EVs and More

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/06/9212-MEBPlatform.jpg>)

Turkey announced last week it discovered a massive rare earth reserve almost as big as the world's largest in [China](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42396/china-says-it-has-too-many-ev-companies>). The find is reportedly so large that it could on its own satisfy global demand for decades.

According to the [Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources](<https://enerji.gov.tr/haber-detay?id=20996>), the country found a supply of 694 million metric tons (765 million short tons) of rare earth minerals in Beylikova, Eskişehir. That reportedly makes Turkey's rare earths reserve the world's second-largest behind China, which has 800 million tons according to [*AA Energy*](<https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/turkey/turkiye-uncovers-worlds-second-largest-rare-earth-element-reserve/35729>). Deposits reportedly include 10 of the 17 rare earth elements and are close to the surface, which would simplify extraction.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/06/5-1.jpg>)
*Turkey's Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez*

Fatih Dönmez, the country's Minister for Energy and Natural Resources said the construction of processing infrastructure will begin later this year after R&D concludes. When the [mining and refinement industries](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-electric-infinity-trains-could-run-forever-on-one-initial-charge>) are up and running, Turkey anticipates it'll have the capability to process 570,000 metric tons of rare earths annually. That's nearly double the 315,000 metric tons that *[The Conversation](<https://theconversation.com/demand-for-rare-earth-metals-is-skyrocketing-so-were-creating-a-safer-cleaner-way-to-recover-them-from-old-phones-and-laptops-141360#:~:text=The%20annual%20demand%20for%20rare,enormous%20pressure%20on%20global%20production.>)* reports will be demanded globally in 2030.

While the exact materials found in Turkey are unclear, more than one-third of rare earths have current or potential applications in the automotive world, especially in electrified vehicles. Their questionable long-term supply, however, has compelled BMW and others to [leave rare-earth minerals out of their current EVs](<https://www.bmwblog.com/2019/08/01/bmw-rare-earths/>). But a more stable, less China-dependent supply may make their use more palatable.

Cerium has long been used in catalytic converters, but a long list of rare earths is rapidly growing in demand as the auto industry electrifies. Dysprosium, neodymium, and samarium are useful in permanent-magnet DC motors used in some EVs, while gadolinium [has potential in both motors and batteries](<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360319919337498>). While lithium-ion batteries are currently the automotive industry's gold standard, lanthanum and yttrium have their uses in [alternative battery chemistries](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/42287/toyota-is-road-testing-a-prototype-solid-state-battery-ev>).

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)