Minister Yerlikaya announces: Search and rescue operations in İliç suspended

New statements have been made by ministers regarding the search and rescue efforts for the 9 workers trapped under the landslide at the Çöpler Gold Mine in the İliç district of Erzincan, as well as the judicial process and measurements being conducted in the region.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı spoke to journalists.

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya announced that search and rescue operations in the Erzincan landslide area have been suspended until the movement of the soil stops.

Yerlikaya stated, "Since the moment the incident occurred, efforts have been underway in a state of massive mobilization. There are nearly 3 thousand personnel and over 800 pieces of equipment. This is a major accident. We are talking about a massive volume. A mass of 2 million cubic meters. The sliding has not stopped at all. Three days ago, we suspended search activities due to safety concerns. The reason is that we prioritize the safety of our colleagues conducting the search work first. Active sliding continued on the slope above. We are suspending activities at the Sabırlı and Mangal open pits. We are pausing search operations until safe working conditions are established below. As soon as it is declared that it is safe to work, activities will resume."

"THE REASON I COULD NOT COME IS HEALTH-RELATED"

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki said that samples were taken from 9 points and no toxic waste was detected. Özhaseki reported that measurements regarding cyanide in the region are ongoing.

Addressing the criticisms regarding why he did not come to the region immediately, Özhaseki said, "About a month ago, I underwent an 8-hour operation. On the day the incident here occurred, I underwent another 2-hour operation, stayed in the hospital, and was treated under the supervision of doctors for a long time. From the moment the incident first occurred, as soon as I recovered from the anesthesia, I followed the events moment by moment because our deputy minister responsible for the environment was here. The reason I could not come is health-related; if I need to apologize, I apologize to the entire public."

Özhaseki continued his statement as follows:

"There have been renewals in some EIA reports. When an application is made for an EIA report, there is a long process. When an application is made for an EIA report, 15-20 public institutions are consulted individually depending on the situation. Then there are conditions that must be met. Everyone carries out their ministry's inspections on matters falling within their own field. 135 inspections have been conducted. In 2012, a pipe burst occurred and a closure penalty was issued. Since that day, our colleagues have continued to make measurements almost every day, checking whether the environment is being harmed or not."

"NUMBER OF DETENTIONS IN JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION MAY INCREASE"

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the number of detentions in the investigation could increase.

"Currently, judicial proceedings are ongoing for 9 people, 6 of whom are under arrest and 3 of whom have been released under judicial control conditions," said Bayraktar, adding, "Work continues with the landslide risk in mind. We are constantly informing the families. People who know the mine know what kind of difficulties we are facing. I express that we will be with them. The administrative and judicial process is ongoing. Judicial investigations will be conducted into the responsible persons here. The number may increase."

"A SMALL DAM WILL BE BUILT"

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said, "A pump system has been installed for the water that has the potential to accumulate. A small dam will be built at the mine site. A bypass system is being planned for the upper side of the area to prevent water from entering the site. There is no situation that poses any danger."

"THOSE WHO ARE NEGLIGENT WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE"

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan stated, "Our research regarding the health and safety of our employees continues. Our inspectors are continuing their work to identify the root causes. I would like to state that whoever has negligence or fault will be held accountable before justice."