Eti Bakır Strengthens Domestic Copper Production in Siirt with a $500 Million Investment

Eti Bakır, which meets approximately 25 percent of Türkiye’s annual cathode copper requirement, produces around 90 thousand tons of cathode copper per year across 8 mining operations. The company's Siirt Operation, which makes a significant contribution to the production chain, contributes approximately $180 million annually to the Turkish economy with the copper concentrate it obtains from domestic sources.

At Eti Bakır’s Siirt Operation, which operates in Madenköy, approximately 1 million tons of run-of-mine ore are extracted per year. Approximately 80 thousand tons of copper concentrate are produced from the ore processed at the operation’s facilities. This concentrate, equivalent to approximately 14 thousand tons of cathode copper, is sent to Eti Bakır’s Samsun Smelting and Electrolysis Facility for cathode copper production.

High-tech mining at a depth of 669 meters
Eti Bakır Siirt Operation Plant Manager Olcay Kotiloğlu stated that the operation holds an important position within Eti Bakır’s production structure due to its production capacity as well as its technological infrastructure and special applications in underground mining.

Noting that Türkiye has an annual cathode copper requirement of approximately 500 thousand tons, Kotiloğlu stated that production from domestic sources is important for reducing import dependency and contributing to the national economy.

Kotiloğlu provided the following information regarding the production processes at the Siirt Operation:
“Our Siirt Operation holds an important place within Eti Bakır due to its special conditions in underground mining and its technological infrastructure. Türkiye has an annual cathode copper requirement of approximately 500 thousand tons. Producing part of this requirement from domestic sources in Siirt makes a significant contribution to reducing our country’s external dependency and to the national economy. While carrying out this production, we also strive to maintain technology and occupational safety at the highest level.”

Providing information on the operation’s technical infrastructure, Kotiloğlu stated that the shaft depth is 669 meters and the tower height is 74.5 meters. Noting that the Siirt Operation has the first shaft system in metallic mining established with a vertical tower system, Kotiloğlu said that a significant portion of the underground equipment is operated by remote control and that the ore is transported to the flotation facility via conveyor lines.

Thanks to this infrastructure, the aim is to increase both occupational safety and operational efficiency in the production processes.

$500 million investment in the Siirt Operation
Eti Bakır has made an investment of approximately $500 million since 2017 in order to strengthen the technological and operational infrastructure of the Siirt Operation.

Stating that 80 percent of the investments have been completed, Olcay Kotiloğlu announced that the remaining investments are planned to be completed in 2027. Noting that R&D efforts constitute a significant part of the investment program, Kotiloğlu emphasized that the investments are not limited to production facilities alone, but also contribute to regional economic development.

Stating that the majority of the 848 employees working at the Siirt Operation are employed from the region, Kotiloğlu said that a significant portion of the required goods and services are also procured from local firms.

Kotiloğlu stated that local employment and procurement efforts support economic activities in the region and contribute to indirect employment.

Target of 1 million trees in environmental rehabilitation
Eti Bakır Siirt Operation continues its environmental rehabilitation efforts alongside its production activities.

The operation, which was brought into activity on barren land without cutting down any trees, has planted 954 thousand trees on its site to date. The operation continues its efforts to reach the target of 1 million saplings.

Sustainability efforts are not limited to the rehabilitation of the production site. In cooperation with relevant public institutions and organizations, Eti Bakır Siirt Operation also carries out efforts to meet the feeding needs of wild animals affected by adverse weather conditions, especially during the winter months.

Domestic resources are being brought into the economy with high added value
Eti Bakır approaches the activities it carries out at the Siirt Operation, which bring domestic mineral resources into the economy, together with the headings of high technology, occupational safety, local employment, regional procurement and environmental rehabilitation.

The operation, which processes approximately 1 million tons of run-of-mine ore annually, contributes to Türkiye’s copper production by sending the copper concentrate it produces to the smelting and electrolysis facility in Samsun as part of Eti Bakır’s integrated production chain.

Through technology and R&D investments, the company aims to develop its production capacity, bring domestic resources into the economy with higher added value, and carry out mining activities together with the goals of regional development and environmental sustainability.