Report on Ida Mountains: 79 percent of the region is mining licensed

"Forests belong to squirrels, not to miners"

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Turkish Foundation for Combating Erosion Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA) has prepared a report on the mining activities in the Region of Ida Mountains in western Turkey based on official data. The report of the foundation has shown that 79 percent of the region has been mining licensed while 41 percent of the licences are active.

The report offers an insight into the use of lands, biological and cultural richness, important natural sites, agricultural values and large plains in Ida Mountains as well as the mining activities, mining licences and the processes of licensing, forests and mining licensed areas in the region.

'Ida Mountains are struggling for their existence'

Referring to the richness of species, ancient culture and agriculture economy of the Ida Mountains and the surrounding region, the TEMA report has underlined that the mountains are now waging a struggle for their existence due to the mining activities in the area.

"The amendments introduced to the Mining Law have opened natural sites, agricultural fields, pastures and our cultural heritage to mining activities by disregarding their protected status," the report has protested.

Within this context, the report of the foundation entitled "Mining in the Region of Ida Mountains" has set out to reveal the threats faced by natural and agricultural sites, water bodies and cultural heritage in Turkey through the specific case of Ida Mountains in Çanakkale-Balıkesir and its vicinity.

According to the data obtained from the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG), while the Region of Ida Mountains covers a total area of 1,697,062 hectares, 1,294,335 hectares of this area has been mining licensed. Accordingly, the region has been divided into 1,634 licenses in the stages of tender bid, mineral exploration and operation.

'41 percent of licenses are active'

"79% of Ida Mountains Region is mining licensed!"

The report of the TEMA Foundation also takes a closer look at the regional distribution of these licenses. According to the MAPEG data, 79 percent of the area has been mining licensed (active licenses and areas put to tender). 41 percent of these licenses are active.

Of the active licenses, 57 percent are for mineral exploration and 43 percent are operating licenses. 38 percent of the licenses have been given for the areas put to tender. "Of the whole working area, only 21 percent has not been given any licenses related to mining," the report has noted.

* Click here to read the full report (in Turkish)

(SO/SD)