Nearly 60 different minerals are produced in Turkey and the country is ranked in many markets as one of the principal suppliers of raw materials. According to the Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate of Turkey (MTA), Turkey is 10th in the world in terms of the variety of mineral resources found in the country. In June 2004, the Turkish government amended the country's mining laws. Essentially, the new law seeks to create a more investment-friendly environment for foreign firms, principally by shortening and easing the permitting process, reducing the fees to be paid by licence holders, and removing the limitation of mining activities on certain types of lands. An updated mining law and a five year strategic plan aim to attract foreign investment for Turkey's rich resources, as explained here.
