‘Not Fate but Massacre, Not Accident But Murder’ : Çöpler Mine of Erzincan

16-02-2024

İrem Çakmak

Middle East and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

On February 13th, a landslide took place at the Çöpler mine, which has been under the operation of Anagold Mining since December 2010. [1] According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, nine workers, who have not been heard from since the landslide struck, are believed to be stuck under the ground, also confirmed by the Energy Ministry, while Erzincan Mayor Bekir Aksun stated that 10 to 12 workers were not found yet. [2] It is declared by Minister Yerlikaya that approximately 1,700 search and rescue personnel, including police, military teams, mine rescuers, and volunteers, were deployed to locate and save workers who are trapped beneath the sludge that inundated their open pit. [3] 

Anagold Mining stated in their press release that ‘[a]s an organisation that prioritises the health and safety of employees in all activities, [they] will continue to act in unity and solidarity with both [their] employees and stakeholders during these challenging times.’ [4] Contrarily, an employee at this mine informed the news outlet T24 that there are 400 workers per shift, and despite various objections, the company expanded its capacity over Murat Kurum’s tenure as the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, during which a decision was made stating that there was “no requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment report” for the mine’s operations. [5] 

Aside from the ongoing rescue operations, authorities are actively addressing concerns related to the possible contamination of the nearby Euphrates River by cyanide and other chemicals commonly used in gold extraction processes at the site. [6] To mitigate this risk, precautionary measures have been implemented, including sealing off culverts that connect to a stream that flows into the Euphrates River traversing Syria and Iraq before emptying into the Persian Gulf. [7] Energy Minister Bayraktar has announced that the current sampling of water and soil in the region, as well as the test results, confirm that there is no immediate danger to public health or safety of the personnel, particularly the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) personnel in the area, emphasising the absence of any factors that could pose a risk to the safety of the operations in the region, therefore providing authorities with confidence in the secure conduct of operations in the area. [8] 

It is important to note that after a cyanide leak from a burst pipe into the river led to the closure of the same mine site in 2020, though, it reopened two years later following a fine of 16.5 million Turkish lira ($537,000 at the current exchange rate) imposed on the company and the completion of a cleanup operation, despite the local efforts to the contrary. [9] 

As part of an ongoing investigation led by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Canadian citizen J.R.G, who served as a manager and administrator in the mining company responsible for the gold mine, was apprehended along with other suspects, as well as an arrest warrant for six suspects. [10]

Türkiye’s mining industry has been plagued by numerous safety incidents and accidents, indicating a poor track record when it comes to mine safety. The deadliest work-related incident in Türkiye happened in 2014, when an explosion occurred at the Soma mine in Manisa, Turkey, resulting in the tragic loss of 301 miners, who were primarily trapped in the mine and suffered greatly from carbon monoxide poisoning. [11] Moreover, later in the explosion that occurred on October 14th, 2022, at the coal mine affiliated with the Turkey Coal Enterprises Amasra Facility Directorate in Bartın, 42 out of 110 underground workers lost their lives, while 11 miners were injured. [12] 

It’s essential to emphasise that, following the devastating earthquake on February 6 that impacted ten cities severely and claimed around 50 thousand lives, around 30 miners have voluntarily organised themselves into search and rescue teams, ventured into the disaster-stricken area, successfully rescuing numerous lives trapped beneath the wreckage. [13]

The incident on February 13 has led to a series of demonstrations and online backlash in relation to the welfare of miners as well as environmental apprehensions. Throughout the demonstration in Istanbul, chants such as ‘murder, not accident; and massacre, not destiny’ were shouted. [14] Meanwhile, the Turkish government has taken measures to block social media content pertaining to the disaster that has not been validated through official channels and allegedly lacks assurance of accuracy. [15] 

The Turkish government must ensure a thorough investigation and implement measures to prevent any recurrence of similar incidents. Moreover, it is crucial to uphold the people’s right to freedom of expression regarding the demonstrations and criticisms.

Sources and further reading

[1] BBC, ‘Erzincan’daki altın madeninde 9 işçiyi arama kurtarma çalışmaları devam ediyor: 'Bazı lokasyonlar tespit edildi'’ (February 13, 2024) <Erzincan’daki altın madeninde 9 işçiyi arama kurtarma çalışmaları devam ediyor: 'Bazı lokasyonlar tespit edildi'> accessed February 16, 2024.

[2] AP, ‘9 gold mine workers are missing in Turkey after a landslide that carries environmental risks’ (February 14, 2024) <9 gold mine workers are missing in Turkey after a landslide that carries environmental risks> accessed February 16, 2024.

[3] AlJazeera, ‘Turkey rescuers battle to save workers trapped in landslide-hit gold mine’ (February 14, 2024) <Turkey rescuers battle to save workers trapped in landslide-hit gold mine> accessed February 16, 2024.

[4] Sputnik Türkiye, ‘Erzincan'da maden çöktü: '9 çalışanın olumsuz etkilendiği yönünde bilgi var'’ (February 13, 2023) <Erzincan'da maden çöktü: '9 çalışanın olumsuz etkilendiği yönünde bilgi var'> accessed February 16, 2024.

[5] T24, ‘İliç'teki altın madeni faciası | Kanadalı yetkili de gözaltında’ (February 14, 2024) <İliç'teki altın madeni faciası | Kanadalı yetkili de gözaltında>  accessed February 16, 2024.

[6] BBC, ‘Turkey mine: 'Race against time' to free workers after landslide'’ (February 13, 2024) <Turkey mine: 'Race against time' to free workers after landslide> accessed February 16, 2024.

[7] ibid.

[8] English Bianet, ‘Trapped miners in İliç located’ (February 16, 2023) <Trapped miners in İliç located> accessed February 16, 2024.

[9] AlJazeera, ‘Turkey rescuers battle to save workers trapped in landslide-hit gold mine’ (February 14, 2024) <Turkey rescuers battle to save workers trapped in landslide-hit gold mine> accessed February 16, 2024.

[10] T24, ‘İliç'teki altın madeni faciası | Kanadalı yetkili de gözaltında’ (February 14, 2024) <İliç'teki altın madeni faciası | Kanadalı yetkili de gözaltında>  accessed February 16, 2024.

[11] Duvar English, ‘Soma miners' march to Ankara in demand of severance pay faces harsh police resistance once again’ (November 4, 2020) <Soma miners' march to Ankara in demand of severance pay faces harsh police resistance once again>  accessed February 16, 2024.

[12] EŞİD, ‘Yasaksız Meydan 38- ‘Maden faciasında ihmalleri protesto etmek suç değildir’’ (February 12, 2022) <Yasaksız Meydan 38- ‘Maden faciasında ihmalleri protesto etmek suç değildir’> accessed February 16, 2024.

[13] France 24, ‘Familiar with tragedy, Turkey miners rush to help after quake’ (February 10, 2023) <Familiar with tragedy, Turkey miners rush to help after quake> accessed February 16, 2024.

[14] Artıgerçek, ‘Adana Emek ve Demokrasi Güçleri maden faciasını protesto etti’ (February 15, 2024) <Adana Emek ve Demokrasi Güçleri maden faciasını protesto etti> accessed February 16, 2024.

[15] AP, ‘9 gold mine workers are missing in Turkey after a landslide that carries environmental risks’ (February 14, 2024) <9 gold mine workers are missing in Turkey after a landslide that carries environmental risks> accessed February 16, 2024.