1.8 Billion Tons of Leonardite Reserve Discovered

1.8 Billion Tonnes of Leonardite Reserves Discovered Feasibility studies will be conducted through a partnership between two ministries for the production of 600,000 litres of liquid and powdered humic acid from leonardite extracted from lignite fields in the Elbistan and Afşin districts of Kahramanmaraş, which is referred to as the mineral of the century. In cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Electricity Generation Inc. (EÜAŞ) and Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKİ), efforts are underway to bring economic value to the leonardite mineral found in the lignite fields of the Elbistan-Afşin region, which has proven reserves of 1.8 billion tonnes and is used in many sectors including agriculture, animal husbandry, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Formed through high-degree oxidation during the coalification of lignite and known as an excellent soil conditioner due to its high humic acid content, leonardite has been the subject of numerous scientific studies at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (KSÜ) Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Professor Dr. Kadir Saltalı pointed out that the use of leonardite in agriculture reduces chemical fertilizer use and increases crop yields. Emphasizing that the leonardite reserves in the region are estimated at approximately 1.8 billion tonnes, Prof. Dr. Saltalı also underscored that if this resource is transferred to the agricultural sector, annual savings of approximately USD 500 million could be achieved.  

Saltalı stated that the production of humic acid from this mineral would provide significant benefits to the agricultural sector and continued as follows:

"We source 95 percent of the raw materials for phosphate fertilizers from abroad. Natural gas is used in the production of nitrogen fertilizers, and we import natural gas from abroad. In other words, we are dependent on external sources for fertilizer raw materials. When we produce fertilizers derived from leonardite and its various derivatives, we can reduce chemical fertilizer use by 20-25 percent, thereby also reducing the raw materials we import from abroad. When we transfer the leonardite resources found in our region to the agricultural sector, we will make Turkey's soils alive and healthy, and we will also see strong demand for these resources from Middle Eastern and African countries."  

Veysi Yıldız, who operates a leonardite facility in Çoğulhan Neighborhood, made the following remarks on the subject:

"This special mineral brings our soils to a level where no agriculture has been practised. We see yield increases reaching 30 percent in our soils, and accordingly, significant advantages in high-quality produce and the cultivation of natural fruits and vegetables. As a result, when the organic matter content of the soil increases, fertilizer consumption will drop to 25 percent levels and yield increases will reach 30 percent. Consequently, our soils will become rejuvenated. We will consume more natural vegetables and fruits."