Located in Turgutlu district of Manisa province, Caldag nickel mine has Turkeys biggest nickel reserve with 33 million tons. However, Turgutlu, in the center of Gediz Plain, is important for its many valuable agricultural products above ground and its fertile soils more than its underground nickel reserves. Having obtained the necessary permits from the former Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the company operates in extracting and processing the nickel in a pivotal project. This marked the beginning of the local communitys struggle for closing the mine by cancelling the forest land appropriation and other permits. In 2007, Turgutlu community started organizing as Caldag nickel mine would cause countless damage and disaster on forest resources, under and above ground water resources, clean air, productive agricultural lands, humans and animals health. The local community tried preventing the establishment of the mining company in their region first under the umbrella of Turgutlu Coalition and then Turgutlu Environment Platform-(TURCEP in Turkish acroynm). Due to the fact that in separating nickel acid leaching method would be used in the open air, it would not only affect Turgutlu but a greater zone in the surrounding districts, provinces. Heavily affected will be the agricultural production. The issue has quickly turned into a regional and then into a national conflict. The struggle in fact started locally by Turgutlu Environment Platform (TURCEP in Turkish acroynm) in 2007, then it gained the support of The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA in Turkish acronym) who has increased the outreach of the struggle and opposition from local level, to national and international one. |
Name of conflict: | Caldag Nickel Mine, Turkey |
Country: | Turkey |
State or province: | Manisa |
Location of conflict: | Turgutlu |
Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
Type of conflict. 1st level: | Mineral Ores and Building Materials Extraction |
Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Mining exploration and/or ore extraction Tailings from mines Mineral processing |
Specific commodities: | Rare metals Nickel |
Project details | The United Kingdom-based European Nickel company that had obtained the right to mine the nickel in Caldag had to give in to the united public struggle and opposition coming from farmers, industry representatives, politicians, lawyers, academicians and NGOs. On 10.12.2010, the company announced at the London Stock Exchange that it shifted its investments to the Philippines due to the fact that the forest allocation was not renewed, project financing was not secured and collaboration with the relevant institutions did not take shape. Since European Nickel company only realised a pilot study in Turgutlu, it is not possible to provide figures on an annual basis. After about a year from its decision to leave Turkey, in 2011, European Nickel sold its rights in Caldag to VTG Nickel company. |
Project area: | 2000 |
Type of population | Semi-urban |
Company names or state enterprises: | VTG Nickel Holding from Turkey European Nickel (ENK) from United Kingdom |
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Turgutlu Environment Platform (TURCEP in Turkish acroynm), Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA in Turkish acronym), Aegean Environment and Culture Platform (EGECEP in Turkish acronym), Gediz Basin Fight Against Erosion, Afforestation, Environment and Development Foundation (GEMA in Turkish acronym) |
Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Local ejos Local government/political parties Recreational users Local scientists/professionals Religious groups Villagers, trade chambers, national NGOs. |
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 Media based activism/alternative media Objections to the EIA Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches Arguments for the rights of mother nature |
Environmental Impacts | Potential: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Food insecurity (crop damage), Genetic contamination, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Waste overflow, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity, Mine tailing spills |
Health Impacts | Potential: Accidents, Occupational disease and accidents, Other environmental related diseases |
Socio-economical Impacts | Potential: Increase in violence and crime, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures |
Other socio-economic impacts | Potential difficulties in access to water, potential damage on cultural heritage |
Project Status | Stopped |
Conflict outcome / response: | Criminalization of activists Court decision (victory for environmental justice) Strengthening of participation Withdrawal of company/investment |
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Yes |
Briefly explain: | The project could be stopped and the conflict between European Nickel Company and the local community has officially ended on December 2012, which can be considered as an Environmental Justice success. However, the struggle is continuing since it was not a struggle against a single company but rather it was focused on the potential damages of nickel mining in the region. After about a year from its decision to leave Turkey (December 2010), European Nickel sold its rights in Caldag to VTG Nickel company (October 2011). TURCEP and TEMA closely follow the developments. |
References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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Other comments: | The conflict between European Nickel company and the local community has officially ended on December 2012. However, the struggle is continuing since it was not a struggle against a single company but rather it was focused on the potential damages of nickel mining in the region. After about a year from its decision to leave Turkey (December 2010), European Nickel sold its rights in Caldag to VTG Nickel company (October 2011). TURCEP and TEMA closely follow the developments. |
Contributor: | Ozgul Erdemli Mutlu |
Last update | 08/04/2014 |
Conflict ID: | 1029 |