Reaction to Cengiz Holding's mining project in Eskişehir: Citizens prepare for a protest march

Cengiz Holding's subsidiary Eti Bakır A.Ş. wants to launch a gold-silver mine project that will destroy thousands of hectares of forest land in Eskişehir. 

The project has sparked major backlash due to the damage it will cause to the environment. Opposing this situation, citizens of Eskişehir will meet at Köprübaşı on August 10 at 13:30, march toward Yediler, and hold a press statement there.

KESK's Energy, Industry and Mining Public Employees Union (ESM) provincial representative Yener Çalışkan, emphasized that 20 percent of the people living in Eskişehir make their living through agriculture. 

Çalışkan, "This mining project will both destroy agricultural lands and poison the water resources in the region. It is unacceptable to carry out such mining work in this area, through which the Sakarya River also flows," he said.

DETAILS OF THE PROJECT 

Within the scope of the project, it is planned to separate gold and silver ore using cyanide after the forest area is destroyed. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, an investment of 4.5 billion TL will be made for this project, which will be carried out in an area the size of 941 football fields.

'IT WILL DESTROY NOT ONLY THE ENVIRONMENT BUT OUR FUTURE'

If the project is implemented, 4 million tons of ore will be extracted annually, and the natural life in the region will be seriously damaged during this process. Yener Çalışkan invited all citizens to join the protest, saying, "This mine will destroy not only the environment but also our future. That is why we will make our voices heard with the march we will hold tomorrow."

News Source: 12punto