Mining regulations 1887-1906 and preferences recognized for foreigners

Mines were one of the most important income sources for the Ottoman state and one of the most significant elements of communal welfare, as well. In this regard, the Ottoman state gave priority to mining activities and employed various methods for their management. In order to ensure the continuation of operations in mines in the Rumeli region, which the Ottomans conquered, laws were prepared as the basis for mining regulations in that region. Concerning mining activities in the Ottoman state in the 19th century; Regulations were implemented in 1861, 1869, 1887 and 1906. With the 1869 regulations, the number of foreigners enjoying mining preferences in the Ottoman state increased. During the period of Sultan Abdülhamid II, after 1887 foreign joint stock companies for foreigners who operated, in particular, borax, cement, asfalt, silvery lead, chrome, lignite coal, manganese, lead and coal mines, were formed. The 1906 regulations remained in effect until 1954 and were implemented as the laws which formed the basis and main principles of mining regulations in the Ottoman state and afterwards. Thanks to the preferences these regulations afforded to foreigners, French, German and British companies operated lead, coal, chrome, borax and silvery lead mines, among others. In this thesis, we will focus primarily on the 1887 and 1906 mining regulations and evaluate the preferences recognized for foreigners.