According to Gazete Duvar, the mining license of the Truva Copper Enterprise, which was acquired by Cengiz Holding in 2019, allows it to operate in an area that includes three villages.

The three villages threatened by the mining operations are Muratlar, Hacıbekirler and Halilağa. According to information presented in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, the three villages are all within the mining license area – which also includes forests and private lands – and are in danger of being ‘erased from the map’ after the mine begins its operations.

Mustafa Alper Ülgen, who lives and works as a farmer in Muratlar Village, stated that an earlier project proposal had been cancelled after local protests and objections. But now they are facing this much larger, more destructive, project.

Ülgen noted the politics involved in this project: “The American company sells the mine to Cengiz Holding, which then makes an application to increase that mine’s capacity and its operational area. The company plans to hold an EIA related meeting again on 15 September”.

As far as Ülgen is concerned: “Deforestation is the main cause of climate change and global warming. The mining project planned in the region is one of the biggest dangers we face. We invite all people and agricultural chambers in the region, farmers, peasants, mayors, administrators, deputies, non-governmental organisations, political parties and citizens to join us in opposition to this unjust and environmentally destabilising project”.