Conservationists and experts have been raising concerns about the siting and management of gold extraction at the mine for many years. However, the warnings about these scientific and legal errors were not heeded and the court decisions were not implemented.
What happened at the Çöpler Gold Mine, which is supposedly located on an active fault line, is a clear example of how activities that damage soil, water, atmosphere and overall biodiversity pose a threat to human health and life. In order to prevent the damage caused to the natural environment and human health by the "waste" containing many hazardous chemicals, especially cyanide and sulphuric acid, the measures taken must meet scientific requirements and be communicated to the public in a transparent manner.
The İliç Gold Mine, which is operated by the Anagold Mining Company and came into focus two years ago due to the cyanide leak, should be closed immediately and legal proceedings should be initiated to ensure that those responsible for this disaster receive the necessary punishment.