Çataltepe Mine Rolls Out Turkey’s First Digital Product Passport for Critical Minerals

Istanbul—A new digital traceability step is taking shape in Türkiye’s mining sector, with Minespider and TETHYS Trans-Eurasian Gateway unveiling what they describe as Turkey’s first Digital Product Passport (DPP) for critical minerals. The launch at the Çataltepe Polymetallic Mine is intended to strengthen transparency around sourcing, production data, and shipment-level accountability—elements that are increasingly central to how buyers assess supply-chain risk.

The DPP rollout involves Minespider, a traceability and DPP platform provider, alongside TETHYS, a company focused on linking European technologies with mining operations across Türkiye and Central Asia. Together, they introduced the passport as a regional benchmark for digital mining transparency.

A pilot built to follow materials across the mine lifecycle

The Çataltepe project is located in Lapseki, Çanakkale. Work began in May 2025 when partners piloted the DPP system to capture, verify, and connect critical information spanning the mine lifecycle—from extraction to processing and export.

Under the traceability setup, the program is set to integrate Çataltepe Mine, the YENICE Flotation Plant, and the export chain. Organizers say this arrangement provides visibility over lead, zinc, and copper concentrates throughout production and outbound logistics.

The initiative also specifies operational scale: monthly ore processing volumes of about 15,000 tonnes, producing approximately 1,000–1,200 tonnes of refined concentrate.

Why digital product passports matter for compliance and customer confidence

Digital Product Passports are presented as dynamic digital records that consolidate verified information across a product’s life cycle—from raw material extraction through shipment and end-use. In this case, organizers say applying the DPP at Çataltepe supports multiple priorities: improving supply-chain transparency; strengthening operational efficiency and reporting; building trust with downstream customers; and enabling compliance with international regulations, including Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) alongside Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

This approach is described as establishing an auditable chain of custody—an attribute that matters as European markets increasingly require sustainable and traceable sourcing.

Executives frame it as measurable accountability across value chains

TETHYS Chairperson Leyla Keser said accountability should be “measurable and traceable,” adding that embedding transparency at the source helps ensure trust from “the very beginning.” Keser characterized the effort as more than a technology milestone—arguing it aligns Türkiye with global standards while supporting responsible sourcing across Greater Central Asia and the Balkans.

Minespider founder & CEO Nathan Williams emphasized design principles for mineral supply chains—stating they must be efficient, transparent, and verifiable by design. He said each shipment from Çataltepe can be traced back to its origin using verified ESG and production data, positioning it as a benchmark for sustainable mining in the region. Williams also linked expectations from regulators and industry toward “data-driven, trusted supply chains” meeting evolving requirements.

The companies say their Çataltepe DPP demonstrates how digital traceability can reshape mining operations by increasing market confidence and supporting access to international markets. With global demand rising for responsible sourcing of critical raw materials, they argue Türkiye and Central Asia can strengthen their standing in accountable mineral supply chains.