After İkizdere, it is Kalkandere's turn: 'We will not allow it'

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has issued an "Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) not required" decision for an andesite-basalt quarry that the 22nd Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) intends to open in a forested area in Kalkandere, Rize.

According to the report in MA, the stone quarry, from which rock will be extracted for use in the 7th section construction of the Taşlıdere Valley, covers an area of 6.62 hectares.

While the stone quarry is located 5.4 kilometers from the Kalkandere district center and 1.4 kilometers from the Ünalan neighborhood, the closest residence to the site is only 250 meters away. The site, where an annual production of 250 thousand tons is planned, will be operated using open-pit mining with blasting.

It was stated that the quarry site is designated as a "Forest area" in the zoning plans. It was also noted that there are agricultural areas belonging to the region (tea gardens, nurseries, pastures, etc.) on the border and in the vicinity of the quarry's working area.

"AMONG THE INFORMATION RECEIVED IS THAT THE EIA PROCESS WILL BE BYPASSED"

CHP Ordu Deputy Mustafa Adıgüzel brought 4 new mining sites planned in Ordu to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Submitting a parliamentary question for the Ministers of Interior and Energy to answer, Adıgüzel said that it is worrying that 74 percent of the city is defined as a mining area. Adıgüzel said, "Among the information received is that the EIA process will be bypassed by keeping the 4 new sites under the 25-hectare limit."

"A SERIOUS CRIME"

İkizdere Environment Association Press Spokesperson Asuman Fazlıoğlu said the following in her statement:

"We will not allow the possibility of a stone quarry being opened in Kalkandere after İkizdere. We explained the damage in İkizdere, and we were very surprised that such an initiative was taken in Kalkandere after that. Licenses can be granted for cyanide gold mines. This country is under destruction and occupation. I think we have to organize the environmental struggle. If the stone quarry mine is opened, trees and streams will be affected by this. Carrying out activities like a stone quarry is a serious crime. It will be met with great reaction. We will stop these massacres, and we will reforest the places they want to destroy. They are also playing the 25-hectare game for the EIA. They are circumventing the law. The laws work for the companies that cause destruction."

News Source: 12punto