Istanbul, Turkey in a groundbreaking move for Turkey’s mining sector, Minespider, a leading traceability and Digital Product Passport (DPP) platform, and TETHYS Trans-Eurasian Gateway, a company linking European technologies with mining operations in Turkey and Central Asia, have unveiled the first Digital Product Passport at the Çataltepe Polymetallic Mine. This initiative marks a major step toward transparent, accountable, and traceable critical minerals supply chains in the region.
Pioneering Digital Traceability in Turkey and Central Asia
The Çataltepe project, located in Lapseki, Çanakkale, now stands as a regional benchmark for digital mining transparency. The collaboration, initiated in May 2025, piloted the DPP system to capture, verify, and link critical data across the mine’s lifecycle—from extraction to processing and export.
The traceability system will integrate the Çataltepe Mine, the YENICE Flotation Plant, and the export chain, providing full visibility over lead, zinc, and copper concentrates, with monthly ore processing volumes around 15,000 tonnes, yielding 1,000–1,200 tonnes of refined concentrate.
Setting a New Standard for Critical Minerals Transparency
Digital Product Passports serve as dynamic digital records that consolidate verified information throughout a product’s life—from raw material extraction to shipment and end-use. By applying this system, Çataltepe enhances:
- Supply chain transparency
- Operational efficiency and reporting
- Trust with downstream customers
- Compliance with international regulations, including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)
This implementation establishes a clear, auditable chain of custody, a critical requirement for Europe and global markets increasingly demanding sustainable and traceable sourcing.
Embedding Accountability Across the Value Chain
Digital Product Passports are becoming central to responsible mining and ESG compliance, enabling complete traceability and reliable reporting across the critical minerals value chain.
Leyla Keser, Chairperson of TETHYS, said:
“At TETHYS, accountability is measurable and traceable. The Çataltepe Digital Product Passport embeds transparency at the source of critical minerals, ensuring trust from the very beginning. This is more than a technology milestone—it aligns Türkiye, Greater Central Asia, and the Balkans with global standards, strengthens responsible sourcing, and positions the region as a reliable partner in the global critical minerals supply chain.”
Nathan Williams, Founder & CEO of Minespider, added:
“Mineral supply chains must be efficient, transparent, and verifiable by design. The Çataltepe project allows each shipment to be traced back to its origin with verified ESG and production data, setting a new benchmark for sustainable mining in the region. This is a vital step toward data-driven, trusted supply chains that meet evolving regulatory and industry expectations.”
The Çataltepe DPP demonstrates how digital traceability can transform mining operations, increase market confidence, and unlock access to international markets. As global demand for responsible sourcing and critical raw materials grows, this initiative positions Turkey and Central Asia as leaders in accountable and sustainable mineral supply chains.
