Report:
Open-pit mining operations are causing significant damage to forests in Turkey, particularly in the dry region of Muğla. According to data from the TEMA Foundation, Muğla is heavily affected by mining, with 59 percent of its population and 65 percent of its forests being covered by mining licenses. In just one month, five different mining projects have been initiated in Muğla. Four of these projects are located in forest lands and have triggered the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. However, one project, which is situated within an “important nature area,” has been exempted from the EIA requirement. Additionally, two marble and one quarry projects have been approved in Milas. The marble quarry project by BA DE Grup Madencilik, worth 3 million 450 thousand TL, has been granted an exemption from the EIA process. The project will cover an area of 24.58 hectares within the “important nature area” and “long-range protection area,” which includes drinking and potable water basins. Similarly, two mining projects in Milas and a marble quarry project in Yatağan have also initiated the EIA process and are situated within forest borders. Another limestone quarry project worth 8 million 650 thousand TL in Seydikemer has also started the EIA process. It is estimated that this project will produce 400 thousand tons of limestone annually and will be located in a “forest area-important nature area.”
ESG Risks:
– Environmental risk: Open-pit mining operations are causing significant damage to forests and natural areas, leading to deforestation and habitat destruction.
– Climate risk: The mining activities contribute to climate change and global warming, which is a major concern that needs to be addressed.
– Erosion risk: The high risk of erosion in the dry country is exacerbated by the destruction caused by mining activities.
Vulnerable Groups:
– Local communities: The mining activities affect the livelihoods and well-being of the local communities living in the areas where mining operations are taking place.
– Indigenous communities: If the mining activities encroach upon indigenous lands, these communities may face displacement and loss of their traditional way of life.
Organizations:
– TEMA Foundation: Provides data and information on the mining activities and their environmental impacts in Muğla.
– Muğla Governorship: Responsible for approving or exempting mining projects from the EIA process.
– BA DE Grup Madencilik: The company behind the marble quarry project in Muğla that has been exempted from the EIA process.
Sectors:
– Mining sector: The open-pit mining operations in Muğla and other regions are directly impacting the mining sector.
– Construction sector: The production of marble and other minerals from the mining projects will have implications for the construction sector.
Keywords:
– Open-pit mining
– Forest destruction
– Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
– Marble quarry
– Limestone quarry
– Muğla
– Climate change
– Global warming
– Erosion
– Indigenous communities