Gewrik village of Mêrdînik (Göle) district of Erdexan (Ardahan) is under the threat of a gold and copper mine. The mine, which is planned to be established by Koza Holding, will negatively affect the villages of Qeretavûx, Lalo, Çardaxlî, Gulîstan, Oxam, Tahtikranî, Salut, Oxçî, Mixkarek, Kelpîkor and Toptaş in addition to Gewrik. An "Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) negative" report was issued for the mine site in December 2023. The villagers then applied to the Kars Regional Administrative Court for the cancellation of the licences. The first hearing of the lawsuit filed by the villagers will be held on 27 November.

 

'IT WILL POLLUTE OUR WATER'

 

Chair of Gewrik Village Association Köksal Yıldırım warned that all life would be negatively affected if the mine is opened. Yıldırım said: "The cyanide to be extracted from the mine will affect people, animals and nature. It will also pollute the water passing through the outskirts of the village. The stream stretches from Artvin, Hopa, Rize, Rize to the Kura River, from there to Armenia, Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan. These will also be affected. In other words, the mine affects a wide geography. The extraction of cyanide means the destruction of our future. For this reason, we collected signatures against the mine and sent them to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation. We are against the mine." 

 

'NEGATIVE EIA REPORT IS NOT SUFFICIENT'

 

Not enough research has been done on the structure of the region to be mined said Köksal Yıldırım and added: "However, the is an  unbroken fault line in the area where the licence is granted. Although we see the negative EIA report as positive, we do not consider it sufficient. Because tomorrow someone else can mine with a new EIA report. We have applied to the court for the cancellation of the licence due to the concern of a new EIA report. There may be richness under the ground, but the greatest richness is above the ground. Thousands of flowers bloom here in spring. We want to utilise these organic flowers. We do agriculture and animal husbandry here. We do not want our nature to be spoilt. We call on all nature lovers to support us." 

 

'LET'S NOT HAVE ONE MORE LICE'

 

Resident of Gewrîk village Erdal Irmak stated that they are against the cyanide mine. Stating that all villages in the region where the mines will be mined are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, Irmak said: "This is how we make a living. If the mine is mined, there will be another İliç (Lice) incident. Therefore, we do not want this place to be like İliç. Mine wastes will flow into this stream and this water will affect wherever it passes. In short, the whole region will be affected. A mine site to be opened means the destruction of agriculture and animal husbandry here. At the same time, it will damage not only the region here, but also beyond the borders." 

 

Irmak said the following: "Today, the EIA report may be negative. As long as the licence given for the mine is not cancelled, the EIA report may be issued by others tomorrow. What is important here is the cancellation of the licence given for the mining area. We want to see everyone who is sensitive with us at the hearing. Let's not let this environmental disaster pass. The state has opened all areas of the country for mining and has riddled everywhere. Now they have set their eyes on our land. We must say 'stop' to this. We will not allow our lands to be looted by 3-5 people."

 

MA / Mehmet Güleş