Backlash against Mehmet Cengiz over 1700-fold capacity increase request at mine

The request for a 1700-fold capacity increase for bauxite ore in the Akseki district of Antalya by Mehmet Cengiz, the details of which were brought to the agenda by 12punto, has been met with backlash from the Akseki Municipality.

A mining operation license was granted for a total area of 792.99 hectares in the Akseki district for bauxite ore used within Eti Alüminyum A.Ş., owned by Mehmet Cengiz's Cengiz Holding. However, finding the current area insufficient, Cengiz sought to expand the operation site by increasing capacity within the licensed area. Although the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is still ongoing, a 1700-fold capacity increase is being sought at the mining site.

'DO NOT TOUCH OUR LUNGS!'

Following the issue closely from the beginning, the Akseki Municipality held its February ordinary Municipal Council meeting in the Değirmenlik neighborhood, where the facility is located, to draw attention to Mehmet Cengiz's capacity increase.

Speaking at the council meeting, Mayor İlkay Akca reminded the audience of the damages of the capacity increase and stated, "We invite everyone to join and support the struggle to defend nature. Do not touch our lungs, or what is lost will not come back."

Akca said the following:

"The planned aluminum bauxite mine covers an area approximately the size of 630 football fields. Because the surface is hard, the mining process to be carried out in the open area will involve drilling and blasting, which will result in the complete cutting down of trees in the region; our region will become desertified and therefore arid. Excavation dust and tremors caused by the blasts threaten the crops and lands grown in our region. Closed-circuit irrigation systems are at risk, and the region's livelihoods are facing serious danger. Along with our Değirmenlik neighborhood, our Salihler, Süleymaniye, and Cevizli neighborhoods are under the same threat. Our village, known for its historic button houses, madrasa, and waterfall, will lose its status as a tourist attraction. The region will turn into an industrial zone due to the impact of mining, and thousands of years of cultural heritage will be damaged.

During the blasts and mining activities, our houses will be damaged, and the karst water sources will be seriously affected; this will negatively affect not only agriculture but all life in the region. The destruction of hundreds of hectares of forest land will cause the natural balance in the region to be disrupted and the carbon sequestration capacity to decrease. The project violates the borders of the Gidengelmez Mountains Wildlife Development Area, threatening the habitats of protected species such as wild goats. It will become almost impossible for species such as brown bears, badgers, and martens living in the region to survive.

'WHAT IS LOST WILL NOT COME BACK'

There are a total of 253 plant species in the Gidengelmez Mountains, 32 of which are endemic. Two of these are critically endangered. Three rare species under protection also grow in this area. The project will eliminate this biodiversity. We call out to all authorities, especially the Antalya Provincial Directorate of Environment: Consider the damage this project will cause to nature, wildlife, cultural heritage, and human life. Protecting nature is our common responsibility. To protect these lands and pass them on to future generations, the struggle against this project will continue. We invite everyone to join and support the struggle to defend nature. Do not touch our lungs, or what is lost will not come back."

BAUXITE MINE IN THE MIDDLE OF VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS!

With the capacity increase, the bauxite mine in question will be moved to the middle of the local residents' settlement area. Those living in Değirmenlik village are reacting to the situation. The potential harm the bauxite mine could cause to human health is increasing concerns.

The harms of bauxite mining to human health are known as follows:

• Chemical burns

• Poisoning through inhalation

• Liver and kidney damage

WATER SOURCES AT RISK

The Akseki Değirmenlik village and its surroundings are known to be rich in terms of karst water sources. There are aquifers and water sources in the project area that are predicted to be affected by mining activities.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE WILD GOATS IN THE GİDENGELMEZ MOUNTAINS?

The Gidengelmez Mountains, one of the natural beauties of Antalya, are also located within the borders of Mehmet Cengiz's bauxite mining site. Wild goats, which are on the Red List of Threatened Species published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), live in these mountains. Hunting and domesticating the wild goats living in the Gidengelmez Mountains is prohibited by legal obligations implemented by the state.

With the project, the lives of the wild goats will also be in danger. In the prepared EIA report, it is suggested that the living creatures in the area be caught or driven away by 'making noise' during mining operations.

In another statement in the EIA report, it is said, “Since the bauxite mine in question has a hard formation, it cannot be easily excavated with construction machinery. The material separated from the surface by drilling-blasting has a better chance of being loaded with construction machinery. Production will be carried out by drilling and blasting method.”

SOIL WILL BE DAMAGED, PLANTS WILL BE POISONED!

The Akseki district of Antalya is a region rich in bulbous and tuberous plants. The 10 cm thick soil on the surface will be completely 'stripped' for the bauxite mine.

There are also many trees in the region such as juniper, cedar, Turkey oak, black pine, and red pine.