Statement by President Arzu Çerkezoğlu on behalf of DISK Executive Board
We are facing a major disaster at the Çöpler Gold Mine in Erzincan İliç due to the collapse of the cyanide heap leach site.
According to official statements, 9 employees are missing in the mine, which is affiliated to Anagold AŞ, a joint venture between the US-based SSR Mining and Çalık Holding. We are worried that the number will increase, we hope that those missing will be spared from this terrible disaster, and we convey our get well soon wishes to all workers and the people of the region.
On the other hand, the information that millions of tons of sulfurous, cyanide-containing wet soil is heading towards the Euphrates River suggests that we are facing a very dangerous disaster. Despite the warnings of experts about the presence of cyanide in the soil, the images of rescue teams without proper protective equipment show that the mentality that led to this disaster continues to exist.
It has once again been seen how dangerous the consequences of a mentality that does not attach any importance to labor, nature, reason and science, and sees nothing but the interests of capital and the rents they will obtain from it, can be.
In 2022, cyanide solution was spilled in the mining facility, which has been poisoning the region for many years. After this disaster, the mine was closed for a short period of time and the issue was closed with a fine, and the mine was reopened in a hurry.
Despite these negativities, the mine was allowed to increase its capacity, and our people and our nature, especially the Euphrates River basin, were recklessly exposed to a great danger.
The cries of professional chambers, environmental volunteers and local people who have been drawing attention to the problem for years have been ignored. The state institutions responsible for inspection and sanctions have been neutralized, weakened or deliberately prevented from performing their duties. Moreover, these companies were rewarded with tax amnesties and regulations at a time when the tax burden on the working class was increasing.
Those who have sold our mines to imperialist monopolies; those who have implemented a brutal production order based on unlimited exploitation of labor and nature; those who ignore science and reason for more profit should know that this country, this people and the working class are not without owners.
As DISK, we are determined to continue our struggle until the end to ensure that the massacres are held to account, that public mining can be carried out in harmony with people, the environment and nature, and that it can truly contribute to the prosperity and development of this country.
We urgently demand that all available means be mobilized to clarify the fate of the missing as quickly as possible and to mitigate the effects of this disaster that threatens nature and life.
Following the rapid arrival of the headquarters executives of Dev Maden Sen union to the region, a delegation consisting of DISK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu, DISK General Secretary Tayfun Görgün and executives of our unions will be in the region early tomorrow (Thursday, February 15) morning.