It was a grave for 9 workers: Is the gold mine where the disaster occurred in İliç, Erzincan reopening? Surprise support has arrived

The massive landslide that occurred in the İliç district of Erzincan on February 13, 2024, claimed the lives of 9 workers employed at the Çöpler Gold Mine site. The mine, which suspended operations following the disaster, is now being considered for reopening. This demand is being defended on the grounds of "employment and economic contribution."

"LET PRODUCTION RESUME"

Among those supporting the mine is CHP Erzincan MP Mustafa Sarıgül. In his statement, Sarıgül said, "All precautions regarding environmental and human health must be taken for production to resume in İliç. The closed-loop leaching method is 99 percent safe. Once all measures are ensured, production should increase and the workers' rights should be granted."

ECONOMIC LOSS CITED AS REASON

According to information obtained from the Turkish Gold Miners Association and the sector, the mine provided direct and indirect employment to approximately 4 thousand people. It is argued that because the mine has been closed for 17 months, there have been serious problems in both the trade and employment chain in the region.

Erzincan Commodity Exchange President Nadir Akar supported this view, stating, "When the mine was open, there was a significant trade cycle in the region. When production stopped, the gears completely broke down."

"GOLD IMPORTS INCREASE THE CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT"

Erzincan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ahmet Tanoğlu stated that gold imports hold an important place in the Turkish economy. Tanoğlu said, "Gold imports account for a large portion of the current account deficit. The mine should resume operations in a safe manner."

Prof. Dr. Cemalettin Okay Aksoy from the Department of Mining Engineering at Dokuz Eylül University argued that environmental risks have been brought under control. Aksoy said, "According to ministry and company tests, there is no environmentally risky situation. 6 thousand water and 700 soil samples were examined in the Sabırlı Valley. 210 million dollars were spent on the rehabilitation process. Continuing production with a closed sulfide facility offers a more robust system in terms of both environmental and occupational safety."

WHAT HAPPENED?

The heap leach collapse that occurred on February 13, 2024, at the Çöpler Gold Mine in the İliç district of Erzincan led to a major catastrophe. Nine workers lost their lives in the incident, and two workers were injured.

The names of the workers who lost their lives are as follows: Adnan Keklik, Kenan Öz, Ramazan Çimen, Uğur Yıldız, Abdurrahman Şahin, Fahrettin Keklik, Mehmet Kazar, Şaban Yılmaz, and Hüseyin Kara. The workers rescued with injuries were identified as İsa Taşdelen and İshak Demir. Following the disaster, efforts to reach the missing workers continued for months. The body of the first worker was reached on April 5, 2024. It was only possible to find the body of the last worker exactly 116 days after the incident, on June 8, 2024.

The judicial process regarding the Canadian company operating the mine is also ongoing.

News Source: 12punto