Prosecutor dismisses investigation into gold mine cyanide spill into Euphrates river

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Prosecutors in Erzincan, eastern Türkiye, have dismissed an investigation into a cyanide leak from the tailings pond of a gold mine in the İliç district.

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) on July 11 filed a criminal complaint demanding an investigation into the incident.

In its decision dated October 31, the İliç Chief Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that there was a leak on June 21 between 2.45 a.m. and 5.a.m.

However, it noted that the solution containing cyanide was cleaned after communications between the Anagold Mining company and the Erzincan Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

The office further stated that the possible damage was eliminated following inspections in the region and expert reports.

The company was fined 16.4 million lira for violating the Environmental Law and 132,000 lira for not complying with the procedures, it said. The facility's operations had been suspended until the completion of the measures.

After the inspections and sanctions, there was no need for prosecution, the prosecutor's office concluded.

The TTB said it will object to the decision and continue its efforts to make "thousands of tons of hazardous waste" harmless by scientific methods.

The Governor's Office of Erzincan said on June 24 that 20 cubic meters of a solution containing cyanide had spilled into the Euphrates river. An investigation was opened against the Anagold company following the statement.

(EMK/VK)