Tree felling commences for controversial mining expansion project in Kaz Mountains

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Despite ongoing legal proceedings, tree cutting has begun for a mining expansion project in the Kaz Mountains, also known as Mount Ida, between the provicnes of Çanakkale and Balıkesir in northwestern Turkey, Yeşil Gazete reported.

The tree felling is part of the controversial Halilağa Copper Mine operated by Cengiz Holding, a company that has faced criticism in recent years due to numerous large-scale infrastructure projects it has undertaken. The current project involves the expansion of the mine and the associated waste disposal facility.

Previously, environmental activists had won a lawsuit against the project, but a second lawsuit is still ongoing.

This is not the first project to stir controversial concerns in the Kaz Mountains in recent years. Back in 2019, a gold mining project led to months of protests.

Background

Cengiz Holding had conducted drilling activities for the capacity increase and waste facility project on February 21, which was found to be in violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

An expert report favored the environmental organizations, and the local community reacted strongly to the project after learning that three separate water sources were planned for the project, expressing their disapproval. Furthermore, the drilling had not been permitted in the EIA.

Ümran Aydın from the Çan Environmental Association highlighted the severe impact of the project on the region's water resources and the significant costs imposed on the local residents, stating that "completely cutting off a region's water supply is a great injustice and an unacceptable situation."

As a result of a lawsuit filed by the local community, the Çanakkale 1st Administrative Court annulled the decision on December 6. However, the company reapplied for the project, and on March 14, the Ministry granted a new "positive EIA" decision for the previously canceled project.

In May 2023, the Kaz Mountains Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation Association filed a lawsuit against the "Positive EIA Report" issued for the Halilağa Copper Mine Project of Cengiz Holding, in accordance with Directive No. 2009/7. (RT/VK)