One year of destruction in the Kaz Mountains: 'Proof of savage mining'
Satellite images taken one year apart of the Halilağa Copper Mine project in the Kaz Mountains have revealed that vast forest areas have been turned into a construction site in a short time. The scale of the destruction in the region has been laid bare.
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The destruction of nature in the Kaz Mountains has once again come to the fore with satellite images taken one year apart. Data shared by Esmaül Hüsna Aslan, Head of Environment, Urbanization and Culture of the Victory Party (Zafer Partisi), reveals the scale of the ecological devastation in the region.
"THEY HAVE SEIZED THE FORESTS"
According to the information shared, the Halilağa Copper Mine project, located in the Bayramiç district of Çanakkale and stated to belong to Cengiz Holding, has turned a massive forest area into a construction site in just one year. In the comparative images from March 15, 2023, and March 15, 2024, it is clearly seen that the green cover has been replaced by heavy machinery and concrete structures.
"SAVAGE MINING" ACCUSATION
In a statement made on social media, Aslan described the situation as "savage mining" and "betrayal."
To those who ask what savage mining is, I am showing the change in just one year; the scale of the betrayal!
— Esmaül Hüsna Aslan (@esmaulhusnaslan) April 4, 2026
This is the Kaz Mountains, this is the Halilağa Copper Mine belonging to CENGİZ HOLDİNG, which is just one of dozens of massacre projects in the Kaz Mountains. It even takes its name (without any shame) from the three… pic.twitter.com/nFfmRBpM9q
Reacting to the fact that the mining project takes its name from the local Halilağa village, Aslan used the following expressions:
"To those who ask what savage mining is, I am showing the change in just one year; the scale of the betrayal! I wanted you to see how they have seized the forests of the villages in exactly one year, and how they have destroyed everything that was beautiful!"
WHAT HAS CHANGED IN A YEAR?
The data in the visuals strikingly summarizes the speed of the expansion in the mining area:
March 15, 2023: While the project site was still covered with dense vegetation and forest area,
March 15, 2024: It is observed that the same area has been completely cleared, wide roads have been opened, and facility buildings have been constructed.
The Halilağa Copper Mine project, which local residents and environmental organizations have long opposed, continues to be at the center of criticism due to its pressure on the Kaz Mountains ecosystem and its proximity to water resources.