On their own heads

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CYANIDE DIARIES FROM BERGAMA-9.

Can the footsteps of death be heard?

They can!

Does the shine of gold dazzle the eyes?

It does!

The footsteps of 'Cyanide Gold Mining'—whose effects are reflected in our present day and have/will continue to negatively impact our lives—and the shine of gold had reached the highest levels of the State in the 80s and 90s.

It was as if political history was walking alongside it!

In this process, which began in the late 1980s, the decision-makers in the State were initially confused.

On one hand, it was believed that 'the gold would contribute to the national economy,' while on the other, there was 'fear of the damage the poison could cause to the environment' and 'apprehension regarding the public's reaction to potential disasters.'

Erzincan-İliç Disaster-2024

Yet, foreign companies 'wanting to extract gold in our country using cyanide' were about to swarm into our country like locusts.

Those who wanted to do business with them were also rubbing their hands in anticipation.

The breath of Eurogold, the then-Turkish arm of the 'Cyanide Octopus' which held the 'gold mining exploration license' in Bergama-Ovacık, was looming over the region.

The foreign drillers, who pierced the soil to sow poison and scouted the environment during this process, had found what they were looking for.

The poison-spreading, multinational company Eurogold had gathered all the information it wanted regarding the underground.

The exploration was complete. As a result of the search, it was determined that there was gold in the soil between Ovacık, Narlıca, and Çamköy.

Following the departure of the drillers from Bergama, there was a period of silence in the region.

For the cyanide-using company, it was time to obtain the necessary 'Operating License' from the State to run the mine and count the glittering gold.

Companies that have dug up every corner of the world were well aware of the risks posed by 'cyanide and arsenic'.

They must have been taking their own precautions against the possibility of not receiving the permit! They had connections everywhere.

On the other hand, 'politics' would ultimately decide on this matter.

When Turgut Özal, who served as Prime Minister from December 13, 1983, to November 9, 1989, was elected President, Yıldırım Akbulut was brought in as Prime Minister.

It was a period when the country was in the embrace of liberal policies, and State Economic Enterprises were being privatized one by one in the name of globalization.

Long live the free market!

Long live foreign capital!

The cyanide-using company was trying to convince the public and state officials, alongside famous propagandists like Betül Mardin, attempting to portray itself as pure as the driven snow.

It was claimed that the country would leap into a new age with cyanide-extracted gold and that all its foreign debts would be paid off. The country needed fresh cash!

The danger of "cyanide/poison" and environmental pollution, which they tried to cover up, was, of course, primarily the concern of the people of Bergama.

They were the ones directly and primarily at risk of being harmed. They were watching the developments closely.

These were days when "environmental pollution" and "environmental disasters" were increasing, and the issue was rapidly rising on the public agenda.

But unfortunately, even the highest state officials were unaware that the gold in the ore could only be obtained using "cyanide."

The Ministry of Environment had not yet been established.

Without sufficient and qualified experts on hand, how could a correct decision in the national interest be made in a business involving such complex technology?

How would the "public interest" be pursued?

At that time, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was responsible for this situation.

The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources in the Yıldırım Akbulut government was Fahrettin Kurt, a civil engineer and graduate of Karadeniz Technical University.

The minister served in the ministry from December 22, 1987, to April 30, 1991.

These were the days when debates regarding "cyanide gold mines" began in Turkey, dissenting voices were emerging from Bergama, and the press's interest in the subject was increasing.

Eurogold, the poisoner that came to Bergama and knew the subject down to the finest detail, was also exerting intense effort in Ankara to obtain an operating license.

They were covering up the toxic aspects and polishing the gold-bearing ones!

According to a report by Halil Güner published in the Güneş newspaper on December 31, 1990, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Fahrettin Kurt, who was responsible for this matter, responded to a question regarding the proposed cyanide-leaching gold mine in Bergama by stating:

“...no, the gold will not be extracted with cyanide, but with arsenic,” he said. The same report was later published in other newspapers as well.

The Minister was never heard to deny this statement!

Regarding the crucial issue of the Bergama facility, which was being hotly debated by the public, the person occupying the highest office in the State responsible for this matter was unaware of “cyanide gold mining.”

Yes, a terrifying poison like arsenic was also involved, but the gold would be obtained after the ore was treated with cyanide, and the remaining waste would contain arsenic and cyanide-metal compounds. These toxic wastes would create lethal problems.

Gold was to be extracted from the soil using cyanide. Arsenic was present in the remaining waste. And in massive quantities!

This process was the ABCs of this type of mining!

The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, who was to make decisions about such mines, and his Ministry were unaware of this: He did not know that cyanide and arsenic were different substances!

They had only one thing in common.

After all, both were poison.

The Minister, a Civil Engineer in a position to decide the country's "poisonous fate," had mixed the poisons!

Ministry officials, who should have been knowledgeable on this subject, were likely not, as they had not provided the Minister with accurate information.

It is, of course, unthinkable that they were simply feigning ignorance!

Woe to us!

This is how the country was being governed!

At a time when decisions were being made to initiate disasters caused by poisons such as cyanide, arsenic, and cadmium—which are spread into the environment along with the soil being excavated across the country—and when permits were being granted for such operations, the highest offices of the State were unaware of it.

Moreover, while all the poisonous companies of imperialism and their supporters were waiting at the door.

Oh, my beautiful country!

My homeland, rich in its essence!

At the same time, it was becoming clear that Eurogold, the local branch of the cyanide-using octopus that wraps its arms around the world, was gradually convincing the state's decision-makers in Turkey.

Following the short-lived ministries of deputies like Togay Gemalmaz and Muzaffer Alıcı, İzmir Deputy Ersin Faralyalı, who took office, was calling on everyone to respect 'poisonous gold'!

E. Faralyalı served from November 20, 1991, to June 25, 1993.

He had been convinced, or he was simply carrying out an order he had received.

Look at what was said in some sections of the state document sent to the relevant state units on September 28, 1992, with the presentation of Deputy Head of the Mining Department Y. Önem, Deputy Undersecretary M. S. Sancar, and Undersecretary M. Barutçu, and the signature of Minister Ersin Faralyalı:

“...Furthermore, the rise of racist movements in South Africa, a major gold producer, in recent years has led to a loss of secure conditions, and this factor has constituted another reason for (cyanide-using companies) to turn toward Turkey.”

“...From Giresun to the Russian border along the Black Sea belt; and in the west, in the Çanakkale and Balıkesir-İzmir regions, mining exploration licenses have been obtained for 560 separate areas.”

“...The level of development (!) Turkey has reached should compel Western companies to behave consciously in this regard (!); they will apply the same practices in Turkey that they apply in Nevada or Canada for gold exploration and production (!).”

“...No problematic incidents have been encountered in the American-Nevada gold fields where it is used extensively (!); the credible information (!) gathered points in this direction.”

“...Another complaint identified regarding gold production is that the dust generated during production will be harmful to surrounding plants, such as olive trees (!). Throughout Turkey, Etibank, TKI, private mining companies, cement factories, and marble operations are working under established conditions in the country. Gold producers will also work under the same conditions (!).”

This was the perspective of the Republic of Turkey's highest authority on energy and natural resources in 1992 regarding “cyanide gold mining.”

“Experience” and “life” have proven that every piece of data we marked with an (!) in the paragraphs above is incorrect.

The year is 2024-2025. 32 years have passed!

The point reached by toxic gold mining initiatives in our country, which began with this perspective, is pathetic despite all objections, social protests, and the failure to implement court rulings.

Foreign companies and their local partners are seizing our underground wealth with earnings and profits that are never disclosed!

The life of the Anatolian soil is being taken!

Preparations are underway to take it in many other places!

Moreover, besides the gold they are hoarding, the only things left for the State are the laughably small amounts of taxes paid by these companies—whose coffers are filled with government incentives—along with jobs given to a limited number of experts, and the bread, cheese, iron, cement, etc., purchased from the market in the name of added value.