The uranium mine in the Koprubasi district of Manisa was operating from 1970 for 10 years until it was abandoned in 1980. A peer-reviewed academic publication in 2008 and a related report by Professor Ahmet Sasmaz from the Firat University Geology Department put forward that the surrounding area was under heavy contamination of radioactive material due to uranium heap leaching techniques applied in the mining site, which involves dissolving uranium (with acid or base exposure) in the ground and pumping the solution to the surface. Another study earlier in 2004 has already proved that the radiation levels in the region were above acceptable levels. The study associated the findings with the inaction related to the remainders of uranium mine and a potential spill-over effect due to grazing animals and high exposure to rain and underground water. Other studies also identified remarkably high incidence of cancer cases in villages alongside the river crossing the region. After the abandonment of the mine in 1980, no party has taken any measure towards refinement and rehabilitation of the site even though the authorities were aware of the spreading danger. The said studies detected radiation levels in the area up to 140 times as high as acceptable levels for radiation according to multiple international authorities including World Health Organization (WHO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As of today, several open pits remain open to public access with great radioactive danger despite continuous warning by scientific agencies and academics.