Potential of Geothermal Resources in the Mining Industry

While geothermal energy stands out as one of the most important tools for sustainable development, the opportunities it provides for the mining sector have not yet been fully utilized. Geothermal energy, which has a special place among renewable energy sources worldwide, has remarkable potential not only in areas such as electricity generation and heating, but also in mine and mineral recovery. Especially in countries with high geological diversity such as Turkey, how these resources can be used more effectively in economic and environmental terms is an important question.

Dynamic Relationship Between Geothermal Energy and Mining

Geothermal energy is a reflection of the natural heat in the earth's crust. This energy is used by heating water or other liquids accumulated underground and bringing them to the surface. However, these liquids also have a structure enriched with precious metals and minerals. The recovery of precious metals such as lithium, boron, zinc and even gold from geothermal fluids heralds a new era in the mining sector.

• Lithium Recovery : Lithium, a key component of high-tech products such as electric vehicles, energy storage and mobile devices, can be obtained from geothermal brines using environmentally friendly methods. Studies are ongoing for lithium production in geothermal fields in Turkey, especially in Western Anatolia. Pilot projects conducted in 2022 have shown the potential for daily lithium production of 20-22 kg.

• Gold and Silver Recovery : Geothermal systems often carry fluids high in gold and silver. Economical extraction of these metals could offer an alternative source of income to traditional mining operations.

• Boron and Zinc Production : Turkey has a large portion of the world's boron reserves, and it is thought that geothermal resources can also hold an important place in boron mining.

Turkey's Geothermal Potential

Turkey ranks fourth in the world in terms of geothermal energy production capacity. Western Anatolia, in particular, is a very rich region in terms of geothermal energy with its young tectonic structure and volcanic activities. Turkey's geothermal energy installed capacity has reached 1663 MW in electricity production and 5113 MW in direct heating use as of 2022.

The integration of these resources into the mining sector can provide a multifaceted contribution to the economy. For example, thanks to advanced technologies such as Enhanced Deep Geothermal Systems (EDGS), it is possible to both produce energy and recover valuable minerals from geothermal fluids extracted from deep underground.

Economic and Environmental Advantages

Geothermal mining offers a number of benefits in terms of environmental sustainability and economic growth:

1. Environmentally Friendly Technologies : While traditional mining methods cause serious damage to the environment, geothermal mining minimizes this effect. In aqueous systems, minerals can be naturally dissolved and brought to the surface without harming the environment.

2. Integration of Energy and Mining : Geothermal resources provide a dual economic benefit by combining energy production and mineral recovery.

3. Employment and Technological Development : New geothermal projects can increase local employment and encourage the use of advanced technologies in mining.

Challenges Encountered and Solution Suggestions

Although the use of geothermal resources in mining is promising, there are also several challenges:

• High Start-up Costs : Serious investments are required for the development of geothermal fields. Pilot projects in particular can be costly for small and medium-sized businesses.

• Technological Requirements : Separation of metals and minerals from geothermal fluids requires advanced technologies and expertise.

Public and private sector cooperation is of great importance to overcome these challenges. Turkey can overcome the obstacles in this area with incentive policies and international cooperation.

Vision of the Future: Turkey's Leadership Potential

Turkey has the potential to become a global leader in terms of geothermal resources. Research and development projects carried out throughout the country can show how these resources can be used in both the energy and mining sectors. The high temperature potential in Western Anatolia in particular offers a great opportunity for the extraction of valuable minerals along with energy production. Geothermal energy allows Turkey to achieve its renewable energy targets and create a sustainable model in the mining sector.

Source

1. MTA Journal, Potential, Use and Development of Geothermal Energy in Turkey , Access Link .

2. DergiPark, Metal/Mineral Recovery Possibilities from Geothermal Resources in Ayvacık-Tuzla Region , Access Link .

3. Bourcier WL, Recovery of Minerals and Metals from Geothermal Fluids , Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 2005.

4. Mining Geothermal Reports, Turkey's Use of Geothermal Resources in Energy and Mining , Turkish Energy Strategies Research Institute.