New Reconnaissance at Bergama Gold Mine: Struggle Continues

Photograph: Arif Ali Cangı

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A lawsuit has been filed at İzmir 6th Administrative Court for cancellation of the positive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report issued for Ovacık Gold Mine in Bergama district in İzmir.

Within the scope of the lawsuit filed by institutions such as the Municipality of Bergama, İzmir Medical Chamber and İzmir Bar Association as well as other 122 citizens, a panel of experts conducted a reconnaissance in the area.

"None of the ECHR decisions has been put into effect"

Environmental rights advocate Arif Ali Cangı has emphasized that since 1997, tens of court decisions have been issued for the cancellation of permits granted for Bergama Ovacık Gold Mine. Cangı added,

"The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has issued cancellation decisions, but none of them has been put into effect. Each time, a cover has been found to render the court decisions ineffective and new permits have been granted. During this process, Ovacık has run out of ores. Ovacık Gold Mine Enterprise is now a chemical plant where the ores brought from pits and other places are processed."

Cangı has also stated that they have been waiting for the expert report that will be issued after the reconnaissance at Bergama Ovacık Gold Mine. (PT/SD)