New step from CHP to protect rare earth elements: We will submit a legislative proposal

CHP Deputy Chairman Deniz Yavuzyılmaz said, "We challenge the AKP. As the Republican People's Party, we will submit a legislative proposal to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) that bans the sale of rare earth elements abroad as raw materials. Let's see whether the hands of AKP deputies will be raised to say yes or no to this legislative proposal."

Yavuzyılmaz reacted to the statement by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar regarding rare earth elements in Beylikova, Eskişehir. 

In a statement on his social media account, Yavuzyılmaz used the following expressions:

"Let us enlighten Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, who made a statement with classic AKP cunning. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Positive Decision for the complex ore field and facilities in Beylikova, Eskişehir, has been finalized.

The issue that the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality objected to in the EIA processes is not the mining activities themselves, but the deficiencies in the EIA process. Because the AKP has also neglected the EIA process.

Institutions were asked to approve the EIA documents placed before them like a notary.

If the goal is not to sell the rare earth elements extracted here abroad as raw materials, the final EIA Report must be complete for sustainable mining. However, the EIA Report does not specify the short- and long-term effects of the radioactivity of thorium, which will emerge as a by-product in the production process of rare earth elements, on the mining site, people, and agriculture.

"LET'S SEE IF THEY WILL SAY YES!"

It is unclear what the disposal method will be in the event of radioactive waste generation. During the objection process to the EIA, the work within the scope of the project by Eti Maden Operations continued as is. In other words, no one has tied the AKP's hands.

Despite this, according to the Eti Maden Operations Court of Accounts Audit Report; although the discovery of rare earth elements in the region dates back years (and despite the AKP being in power alone for 23 years), there has been no development to date regarding the establishment of industrial facilities.

We challenge the AKP! As the Republican People's Party, we will submit a legislative proposal to the TBMM that bans the sale of rare earth elements abroad as raw materials. Let's see whether the hands of AKP deputies will be raised to say yes or no to this legislative proposal!"