Tethys Ocean Manganese-Nickel-Cobalt Project

The Tethys Ocean Manganese-Nickel-Cobalt Project, led by Spil Madencilik, aims at the exploration and development of strategic manganese deposits enriched with nickel and cobalt. Located in the Yozgat region of Central Anatolia, Türkiye, this project taps into historically significant geological formations tied to ancient oceanic processes, positioning itself strategically within Türkiye's growing critical minerals sector.

Project Location
The project area encompasses several strategically selected sites near Eymir Village in Sorgun District, Yozgat, Central Anatolia. This accessible location is characterized by favorable infrastructure, offering convenient logistics and economic advantages.

Geological Details
The manganese mineralization in the Tethys Project is hosted within radiolarite cherts associated with the Lower Cretaceous Artova Ophiolite Complex. The mineralization occurs in distinctive banded and lenticular forms, indicative of significant oceanic sedimentation and hydrothermal activity. Key manganese minerals identified include pyrolusite, manganite, jacobsite, braunite, psilomelane, magnetite, and goethite, while gangue minerals primarily comprise quartz and calcite.

Geochemically, the deposit demonstrates characteristics of both hydrothermal and hydrogenous manganese mineralization, reflecting its formation through submarine exhalative processes. Rare Earth Element (REE) analyses indicate negative and positive cerium anomalies and a prominent negative europium anomaly, confirming hydrothermal influence and terrigenous sediment contamination.

Exploration Targets

The Tethys Project primarily targets significant manganese deposits, complemented by economic concentrations of nickel and cobalt, crucial for strategic industries. The project's geological setting and initial exploration studies suggest notable economic viability, prompting further detailed geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and targeted drilling programs to quantify resources accurately and comprehensively.

Production Phases

The project is structured into two main phases:

Phase 1:

Mining:Extraction of manganese-rich ore zones.
Ore Beneficiation: Implementation of gravity-based beneficiation methods, including jigging, Humphrey spiral separators, and shaking tables, aiming at efficient manganese enrichment.

Phase 2:
Advanced Products: Further processing of enriched ore to produce high-purity manganese, nickel, and cobalt concentrates through advanced hydrometallurgical techniques, including potential battery-grade products for strategic sectors.


Project Comparison Internationally, the Tethys Project shares similarities with renowned manganese deposits such as Chiatura (Georgia), Nikopol (Ukraine), Umm Bogma (Egypt), and North Orissa (India). Domestically, the project's geological context resembles that of other Turkish manganese occurrences within ophiolitic complexes, yet it distinguishes itself by its significant nickel and cobalt by-product potential, enhancing its economic attractiveness. In particular, the Tethys Project's geology and metallurgical characteristics show significant parallels with Scandinavian submarine-hydrothermal manganese mineralization types, enhancing its strategic importance as an on-land equivalent of deep-sea manganese nodule deposits.