İzmir's water basins in danger: Mining plan the size of 3,000 football fields in Bozdağ

The General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG) has announced a new tender schedule covering the 308th group of mining sites. According to information in the official list, a total of 182 mining sites located in 38 provinces across Turkey will be put up for tender between February 16 and February 24, 2026.

According to the report in EgedeSonSöz, the starting prices determined for the sites within the scope of the tender range from 360 thousand 922 TL to 18 million 46 thousand 100 TL. Based on the figures announced, it was reported that the total base tender price determined for all sites is 338 million 649 thousand 200 TL.

In the distribution by mining groups, Group IV, which includes industrial and metallic minerals, ranked first with 82 sites. Group II-A, which covers aggregate and construction raw materials, is in second place with 71 sites.

4 SITES IN İZMİR

Four separate mining sites from İzmir were included in the tender list. Accordingly, tenders will be held for a 51.56-hectare Group II-A site in the Kemalpaşa district, a 12.22-hectare Group II-B site in Menderes, a 1,561.61-hectare Group IV site in Kiraz, and a 519.76-hectare Group IV mining site in Ödemiş.

It was stated that these areas, which reach a total of 2 thousand 145 hectares, correspond to the size of approximately 3 thousand football fields.

The tenders for the mining sites in İzmir are planned to be held on February 18–19, 2026. It is projected that approximately 6.5 million TL in revenue will be generated from these tenders.

IN THE BOZDAĞ REGION

It was noted that two mining sites, located side by side on the borders of the Kiraz and Ödemiş districts and exceeding a total size of 2 thousand hectares, are situated in the Bozdağ region, known as the "roof of İzmir."

GROUP 4 MINERALS

Group 4 minerals include numerous industrial raw materials such as sodium, potassium, lithium, iodine, and boron salts, as well as energy raw materials such as lignite, hard coal, uranium, thorium, and radium. Additionally, metallic minerals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, iron, chromium, titanium, and aluminum are also included in this group.

News Source: 12punto