Ida Mountain (Kazdagi) Prospecting for Gold, Turkey

Description

In this area which is partially declared a national park in 1993, many companies, even some international ones with licences, conduct prospecting for gold and other mines. Actually, prospecting activities have been under way in the Biga peninsula and especially in the northern side of Ida Mountain since the beginning of 1990s. Lately, there has been a perceptible increase in these activities; explicitly two gold mines (Kirazli and Agi Mountain) made progress. The Canadian company in charge of these projects is targeting to start production in Kirazli in 2013 and in 2014 in Agi Mountain.

Basic Data

Name	Ida Mountain (Kazdagi) Prospecting for Gold, Turkey
Country	Turkey
Province	Canakkale
Site	Bayramic, Kucukkuyu, Can
Accuracy of Location	MEDIUM regional level

Source of Conflict

Type of Conflict (1st level)	Mineral Ores and Building Materials Extraction
Type of Conflict (2nd level)	Mineral processing Mineral ore exploration
Specific Commodities	Silver Gold

Project Details and Actors

Project Details	The prospecting operations have not started yet, but Alamos Gold Company is aiming to produce approximately 61 tons of gold and 479 tons of silver in 10 years from Agi Mountain and Kirazli mines. (Data based on September 2011)
Type of Population	Rural
Start Date	01/10/2007
Company Names or State Enterprises	Alamos Gold from Canada - Company in charge of Agi Mountain ve Kirazli mining projects
Relevant government actors	Governorship of Canakkale, Mineral Research and Exploration Institute, Provincial Forestry and Water Affairs Directorate, Provincial Environmental Directorate
Environmental justice organisations and other supporters	Canakkale Environmental Platform

The Conflict and the Mobilization

Intensity of Conflict (at highest level)	LOW (some local organising)
When did the mobilization begin	PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase)
Groups Mobilizing	Farmers Local ejos Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities
Forms of Mobilization	Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Development of alternative proposals Involvement of national and international NGOs Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Objections to the EIA Official complaint letters and petitions Street protest/marches

Impacts

Environmental Impacts	Potential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Soil contamination, Soil erosion, Waste overflow, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Mine tailing spills
Health Impacts	Potential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide
Socio-economic Impacts	Potential: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Land dispossession
Other	Adverse impact on agricultural production and tourism , Difficulties in access to water

Outcome

Project Status	Stopped
Pathways for conflict outcome / response	Court decision (victory for environmental justice)
Do you consider this as a success?	Not Sure
Why? Explain briefly.	The situation is unclear. Since the legal procedures are just starting, the projects can be stopped through court decisions. The awareness and resistance of the public at an early stage can be seen as an accomplishment. On the other hand, the publics lack of unity and the weakness of cooperation between the locals and the NGOs can prevent environmental justice to be achieved.

Sources and Materials

Legislations

Turkish Mining Law numbered 5177

Constitutional Provision numbered 56 (The right of living in a healthy and balanced environment)

Law for olive cultivation and breeding (especially for the southern side of the mountains)

References

IS THE SURFACE OF IDA MOUNTAIN MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD MINE? - Yrd. Do. Dr. Rt ILGAR, anakkale Onsekiz Mart niversitesi (in Turkish)
[click to view]

Avci, D., Adaman, F., B. Ozkaynak. (2010). Valuation Languages in Environmental Conflicts: How Stakeholders Oppose or Support Gold Mining at Mount Ida, Turkey, 70, Ecological Economics, 228-238.

Links

Petition of three MPs to the Parliament, 2012 (in Turkish)
[click to view]

Forbes
[click to view]

Contributor	Duygu Avci, Alper Akyuz and Begum Ozkaynak on behalf of BOG
Last update	03/05/2014

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