Natural stones should gain value through processing!

The outcomes of “Marble and Environment Workshop” held in Turkey’s natural wonder Muğla:

The “Marble and Environment Workshop”, which was held first time in cooperation with Muğla Governorship, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Mutso) and Muğla Marble Producers’ Association, attracted a bevy of people from across Turkey.

Marble and Environment Workshop which was held in cooperation with Muğla Governorship, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Mutso) and Muğla Marble Producers’ Association at Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Culture Center on Friday, January 19. There was high participation in the workshop, where the representatives of the environment related sectors also showed great interest. Muğla Governor Esengül Civelek, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor. Osman Gürün, Rector of the MSKÜ Prof. Dr. Mansur Harmandar, Kavaklıdere Mayor Mehmet Demir, MUTSO Chairman Bülent Karakuş and the Chairman of Mugla Marble Producers’ Association Mustafa Ercan, protocol members, academicians, sector representatives and press members took part in the workshop. We can say that there is not an unemployment problem in marble sector. We offer business to 10 thousand people in Muğla. We make marble production for 12 months and process our own natural resources. Turkey’s marble export in 2017 was 2.1 billion dollars. As Ms. Governor had said, Muğla has tourism potential and marble resources. We should not ignore this reality. We should solve the problems of this sector.”

Mustafa Ercan: “Muğla has tourism potential and marble resources. We cannot ignore this reality. We have to solve the problems! .. “

The Chairman of Muğla Marble Producers’ Association, Mustafa Ercan, who spoke at the opening of the workshop said: “Muğla is a heaven on earth. There are many quarries in Mugla. Our marble resources are mainly based in Yatağan and Kavaklıdere. We offer business to 10 thousand people in Muğla. We make marble production for 12 months and process our own natural resources. Turkey’s marble export in 2017 was 2.1 billion dollars. In 2017, Muğla exported natural stone in the worth of 300 million dollars. 15 % of the total natural stone export made by Turkey is realized from our region. Opening a marble quarry is not that easy. According to the report of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly Research Commission, from 8 Ministry for a person to be a miner, should get apply and receive permits from 8 Ministries, 82 laws, 87 regulations, 16 international conventions, 8 bylaws and 21 different groups. These procedures last an average of 1-2 years; we do not actually generate waste. Waste is useless. We started to transform our marble residues gradually into calcite production, but the volume and quantity of our residues is considerably high. These facilities need to be increased. This should be done by our colleagues in the first place.”

Mevlüt Kaya: “We got out of Difficulties”

Mevlüt Kaya, the President of Aegean Mine Exporters Association said: “We’re a significant sector of the industry that exports natural stone in the worth of $ 2.5 billion. However, we don’t have a lobby. We got out of difficulties This sector has grew by 25 percent despite all the problems experienced this year. The most important aspect of this growth is that there is no imported input. ”

Aydın Dinçer: “Half of the mineral exports consist of natural stone!”

Aydın Dinçer, the President of Istanbul Mineral Exporters Association, stressed that the sector exported 4 billion 688 million dollars valued natural stone and stated that the growth rate should be between 20-25% per year. Dinçer said: “2018 will be a critical year for mining. We need to product more materials and export more products. Half of the mineral exports consist of natural stone. We need to build the perception of Turkish Stones and stop selling our natural stone under its value. We have to show the quality of the real natural Turkish stone, to the whole world and increase the unit price. ”

‘Muğla White” Marble will be Indicated Geographically

Bülent Karakus, the Chairman of Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “The sector sells % 25 of the total marble production of Muğla. We made applications to have our Muğla White stone geographically indicated and waiting to receive its patent in a year. Muğla White is an important stone in terms of hardness and durability.

Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Osman Gürün: “Our aim is to identify the problem and bring solutions”

Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Osman Gürün said that future expectations about marble were positive. Mayor Gürün said, “The purpose of our gathering here is to discuss problems about marble and the environment. We need to identify the problems and bring solutions to them. We are here to discuss how all the actors of the sector can find solutions to sectoral problems. How can we transform waste into residue and residue to additional economic value? Such significant applications that can be applied in thermal power stations in Muğla couldn’t get enacted due to the shortcomings in coordination between institutions and ministries.”

“We’re here to find a road map”

Mayor Gürün further said: “There is a certain reaction against marble producers in the sector. We should get rid of this negative reputation. The economic value brought to our country and Muğla by marble trade can not be ignored. We need to increase the awareness for marble trade in our country through workshops and meetings. We are here to draw a road map.”

Muğla Governor Esengul Civelek: “We are here to develop solutions to the issues in mind! ..”

Finally, Esengul Civelek, the Governor of Muğla, who came to the chair, said, “Mugla is a favorite city, a brand and a leading city in tourism and a strong city in agriculture. It is a marble city, which has an important place in the country with its natural resources, marble and natural stone reserves. Marble has a very important place in the economic structure of our city. We are proud of the increasing amount of marble production and exportation in recent years and thank to our sector representatives. It is very important to re-evaluate marble waste so that marble production does not create hazard in nature and the environment. These residues have a very serious economic importance. We should work in unity in order to transform waste into residue as private sector, universities and non-governmental organizations.”

Following the opening speeches, the workshop program was organized in three sessions. The academicians and sector representatives made presentations on the topics of the workshop. Participants exchanged ideas about sectoral problems and their solutions.