Massive areas sold to mining companies: 242 thousand hectares under threat

With the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs’ (MAPEG) tender No. 317, Turkey’s natural areas are under a major threat. On April 7 and 8, a total of 30 thousand 772 hectares of land were sold to mining companies. According to maps and data analysis published by the Polen Ecology Collective, 15 thousand 532 hectares were tendered on April 7 alone, and 15 thousand 240 hectares on April 8. In this process, a total of 242 thousand 431 hectares of land were sold, which is equivalent to nearly the entire surface area of Düzce province.

THE SOLD AREAS ARE NOT EMPTY, THEY ARE LIVING SPACES

According to a report by Evrensel, the sold areas are not empty or desolate regions. Most consist of vast forested areas, productive agricultural fields, and residential settlements. For example, the 340-hectare area in the center of Nevşehir is entirely agricultural land, while some areas in Balıkesir and Muğla are entirely forested. Residential areas such as the village of Horzumalayaka in Manisa's Salihli district and the village of Katrancı in Niğde's Ulukışla district are now right in the middle of mining licenses. This poses a major threat to the villagers and local people.

WATERS AND NATURAL RESOURCES UNDER THREAT

Mining projects also threaten water resources in the regions. For instance, the Orhanlar Stream passes through the mining site in Kütahya's Şaphane district, while the Eskiköprü Creek flows through the site in Malatya's Hekimhan district. The massive mining site in Manisa's Salihli district is located very close to the Demirköprü Dam. These projects could cause the contamination of clean water sources in the region.

WHAT KIND OF MINERALS WILL BE EXTRACTED?

Although it is not clearly stated which types of minerals will be extracted in the tendered sites, it is understood from the names and projects of the companies that won the tenders that gold, marble, and cement raw materials will be extracted. For example, while Medmar Mermer acquired the area in Malatya, Çimko Çimento took the massive site in Muğla's Yatağan district. One of the most notable projects is the area in Niğde's Ulukışla district sold to Koza Altın. There are already 5 gold mining projects in this region that have been granted an "EIA not required" decision, and a new one is expected to be added.

NEW MEGA-MINES ARE ON THE WAY

With the continued sale of large areas in 2026, new mega-mining projects have also begun to emerge. Here are some of these projects:

Kütahya: Asaş Yeşil Enerji Sanayi and FR Endüstriyel Yatırım acquired 1216 and 1195-hectare sites in the Tavşanlı district.

Malatya: Belin Madencilik acquired a 1358-hectare forested site in the Kuluncak district. Medmar Mermer acquired two sites totaling 1917 hectares in Hekimhan.

Manisa: Lidya Madencilik acquired 1805 hectares in Salihli, and Nil Ege Maden acquired 1397 hectares. MGS Endüstri Madencilik purchased a 1901-hectare area in the Köprübaşı district.

Muğla: Çimko Çimento acquired a 1996-hectare site in Yatağan. Dost Endüstriyel Hammadde also acquired 1628 hectares in Yatağan.

Niğde: Koza Altın İşletmeleri acquired a 1356-hectare area in Ulukışla. Kar Mineral Madencilik acquired 1955 hectares, and Turyapı Grup acquired 1719 hectares.

Ordu: Q4 Madencilik acquired 1994 hectares in Ulubey, and Safi Galata Madencilik acquired 1935-hectare areas in Fatsa.

IMPACTS ON NATURAL LIFE AND AGRICULTURE

The sale of these massive areas will negatively affect not only residential areas but also the natural life and agricultural activities within them. Forests, irrigation areas, and fertile soils used for agriculture face the risk of destruction due to mining projects. The destruction of natural habitats for creatures in the region, forests, and areas designated for irrigation could lead to a major ecological crisis.

Such mega-mining projects threaten not only the environment but also the regional economic and social structure. Villagers, farmers, and forest dwellers, in particular, may lose their livelihoods due to these projects.

News Source: 12punto