Opening a quarry is a long process involving many technical and legal steps, from geological work to licensing and from environmental impact assessment to occupational safety obligations. In this guide we give an overview of the general process for opening a quarry in Turkey, the permits and documents required, the responsible bodies and the investment items.
Important note: Mining legislation, application procedures, fees and guarantee amounts are updated frequently. This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Before applying, current legislation, announcements of the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG) and the views of specialist mining engineers and legal advisers should be relied on.
Which Legislation Applies to Quarries?
In Turkey, quarries fall under Mining Law No. 3213, which regulates mining activities, and the regulations issued under it. The law divides minerals into groups. Quarries are generally in the Group II minerals: rocks for sand, gravel and crushed stone (aggregate) and rocks for blocks and natural stone are assessed in different sub-groups. Determining the group directly affects the licence type, application procedure and obligations.
Licensing is carried out through MAPEG, under the ministry responsible for energy and natural resources. Permits and opinions from other bodies are needed on matters such as environmental assessment, forestry, agriculture, pasture, zoning and occupational safety.
Opening a Quarry: General Steps
- Site selection and preliminary survey: Investigating rock type, quality, reserve potential, distance to settlements, access, power and water, and the site’s existing licence and restriction status.
- Licence application: Applying to MAPEG for the licence type suited to the mineral group. Site suitability and overlap with other licences are checked.
- Exploration and reserve work: Determining reserve and quality with geological maps, drilling, sampling and analysis; preparing technical reports (rock testing).
- Project and operating plan: Pit geometry, bench design, production plan, waste tips and restoration plan (quarry planning).
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): An EIA process depending on project size and nature; a positive decision or an “EIA not required” decision.
- Other public body permits: Permits from the relevant bodies on forestry, agricultural land, pasture, zoning, water, highways, and cultural and natural assets.
- Operating permit: Obtaining the operating permit needed to start production once the licence and permits are complete.
- Business, environmental and other permits: Business opening and operating licence, required environmental permits, permits for the crushing plant, and permits for the use and storage of explosives.
- Occupational health and safety obligations: Workplace registration, risk assessment, the health and safety document specific to mine workplaces, occupational safety specialist and workplace doctor services, and training.
- Production and reporting: Running production in line with the approved project, annual activity reports and financial obligations.
Main Documents and Permits Required
| Document / Permit | Relevant Body (general) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mining licence | MAPEG | Licence type by mineral group |
| Technical reports and operating project | MAPEG | Prepared by a mining engineer |
| EIA decision | Ministry / provincial directorate responsible for the environment | By project size |
| Forestry permit | General Directorate of Forestry | If the site is in a forest area |
| Agriculture, pasture, zoning opinions | Relevant provincial directorates and administrations | Depending on land status |
| Operating permit | MAPEG | After other permits are complete |
| Business opening and operating licence | Relevant administration | For the plant and operation |
| Environmental permit | Body responsible for the environment | Emissions, dust, noise |
| Explosives permits | Governorship and security units | If blasting is carried out |
| OHS documents | Under employment legislation | Risk assessment, health and safety document |
Body names and the distribution of authority may change with legislation; check the current situation before applying.
Technical Supervisor and Technical Responsibility
Turkish mining legislation requires production to be carried out under the technical supervision of a mining engineer (the permanent technical supervisor, daimi nezaretçi). The technical supervisor is responsible for the operation complying with the approved project, safety and technical rules. It should also be ensured that blasting is carried out by authorised persons, that mobile plant operators are certified and that employees are trained (crusher operator guide).
Cost of Opening a Quarry: Main Items
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Licensing and permit processes | Applications, fees, guarantees, consultancy, reports |
| Survey and project | Geological survey, drilling, laboratory, EIA report, operating project |
| Site preparation | Roads, stripping, site levelling, drainage |
| Pit equipment | Drill rigs, excavators, loaders, trucks |
| Crushing and screening plant | Crushers, screens, conveyors, electrics, civil works (plant cost guide) |
| Infrastructure | Power line, transformer, water, weighbridge, offices |
| Environment and OHS | Dust suppression, noise measures, guards, training |
| State royalty and operating obligations | Royalties paid on production, reporting |
| Restoration | Closure and land restoration obligations |
Common Mistakes in the Process
- Not investigating constraints such as distance to settlements, forests and protected areas early in site selection.
- Overestimating reserve and quality with insufficient drilling.
- Planning the crushing plant on reserve that will be worked in the future.
- Not building enough time for EIA and permits into the project schedule.
- Not planning dust, noise and water management from the start (dust and noise control).
- Leaving restoration until closure (sustainable mining).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which body issues quarry licences in Turkey?
Mining licences are issued by the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG); permits from the relevant bodies are also needed for EIA, forestry, zoning and other matters.
Is an EIA required to open a quarry?
An EIA process applies depending on project size and nature; the outcome can be a positive EIA decision or an “EIA not required” decision.
How long does it take to open a quarry?
It depends on site conditions, the EIA process and other permits; generally months, and longer for complex projects.
Does the crushing plant need a separate permit?
The plant is assessed under environmental and business permits; dust and noise control measures are important in the permitting process.
Pre-Application Checklist
- Are site coordinates and maps ready?
- Have other licences, protected areas, forest or pasture constraints on the site been investigated?
- Have distances to settlements, water sources and roads been determined?
- Have preliminary samples and analyses been done for rock type and quality?
- Have market demand and the product range (chippings, sand, sub-base) been defined?
- Has the cost of power, water and access infrastructure been estimated?
- Is there a work plan with a mining engineer, EIA consultant and legal adviser?
- Is the crushing plant planned outside the reserve and at a suitable distance?
Tips for the Project Schedule
| Work | Note |
|---|---|
| Site investigation and preliminary survey | Completing it before applying reduces risk |
| Licence and technical reports | Planned according to legal timescales and conditions |
| EIA and agency opinions | Usually the longest and most uncertain part of the schedule; start early |
| Plant design and fabrication | Can run in parallel with permits; move to fabrication once permits are clear |
| Installation and commissioning | Planned in line with the operating permit and business permits |
Running plant design in parallel with the permitting process shortens the time to production (crushing and screening plant set-up).
Glossary
- MAPEG: General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (Turkey).
- EIA (ÇED): Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Licence area: The area defined by coordinates covered by the licence.
- Operating permit: The permit allowing production to start in the licence area.
- Technical supervisor: The mining engineer responsible for the technical supervision of the operation.
- State royalty: The share paid to the state on mineral production.
More Questions
Can I open a quarry on my own land?
Land ownership alone is not enough; minerals are under state ownership and control, and a mining licence and other permits must be obtained.
Can an existing quarry licence be transferred?
Licence transfers are possible under the conditions in the legislation; before a transfer, the status of the licence and permits, the obligations and the site should be reviewed technically.
Can the crushing plant be built outside the licence area?
It may be possible, but separate permits and haulage costs arise; the plant location should be assessed for both permits and cost.
CSP Mühendislik Support
CSP Mühendislik does not provide legal advice on licensing and permits; it provides engineering support for your quarry’s crushing plant layout, flowsheet, capacity and equipment selection, fabrication and commissioning. We can also help prepare the plant information for your project file. For plant set-up see our crushing and screening plant set-up guide, and for equipment our products page.
