Report:
On October 14, 2022, an explosion occurred at the Amasra Hard Coal Enterprise (ATİM) mine, which is affiliated with the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise (TTK) in Bartın. This incident resulted in the loss of 43 workers’ lives and injured 9 workers. Currently, there are 23 defendants in the case, with 8 of them being detained. The first hearing of the case took place between April 25 and May 5, during which the defendants provided their defense statements. The Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD) has published an evaluation report regarding the first hearing of the case.
According to the ÇHD report, the interrogations and statements of the defendants indicate that the workers at ATİM were intentionally left to die. The report highlights the failure to make planned investments to mitigate concrete risks. It further states that the management system was undermined by unqualified appointments, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of personnel from approximately 4,000 to 500 over the years. Additionally, the ATİM quarry was subjected to destructive regulations due to the presence of a private enterprise in the same field.
The report also reveals numerous statements implicating high-level officials. It mentions that the production was coerced with the knowledge of TTK General Manager Kazım Eroğlu. Similar to the Soma Mine Massacre, the transportation planning aimed at extracting more coal without improving the ventilation infrastructure led to the collapse of the mine’s air system. The report further explains that, following Eroğlu’s instructions, the transportation plan caused the air in the pit center to reverse its flow direction, leaving electrical equipment in dirty air instead of fresh air. This disruption in the ventilation system created stagnant air zones where methane could accumulate in multiple working areas.
The report emphasizes the lack of precautions taken to address this risky situation and the disregard for potential deaths resulting from the production pressure to sell more coal.
ESG Risks:
1. Occupational Health and Safety: The explosion in the ATİM mine highlights the risk of inadequate safety measures and failure to protect workers’ lives.
2. Corporate Governance: The report suggests that unqualified appointments and mismanagement contributed to the unsafe working conditions and the reduction in the number of personnel.
3. Human Rights: The intentional failure to invest in risk mitigation measures could indicate a violation of workers’ rights to a safe working environment.
4. Environmental Impact: The destructive regulations imposed on the ATİM quarry may have negative environmental consequences.
Vulnerable Groups:
1. Mine workers: The workers at ATİM were directly affected by the explosion, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries.
Organizations:
1. Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise (TTK): The ATİM mine is affiliated with TTK, which may have a role in ensuring the safety and well-being of workers.
2. Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD): Published an evaluation report on the case and highlighted the negligence and misconduct of various individuals and organizations.
Regions:
1. Bartın, Turkey: The explosion occurred at the ATİM mine in Bartın.
Sectors:
1. Mining: The incident took place in a coal mine, highlighting the risks associated with the mining sector.
Keywords:
Amasra Hard Coal Enterprise (ATİM), Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise (TTK), explosion, trial, defendant, detained, workers, injuries, evaluation report, planned investments, unqualified appointments, reduction in personnel, private enterprise, high-level officials, production coercion, ventilation infrastructure, methane accumulation, precautions, coal production, safety measures, mismanagement, environmental regulations.