Mount Ida mining project by Cengiz Holding sparks environmental concerns

Cengiz Holding, a prominent Turkish mining company with extensive government projects, is expanding its copper mining activities in Mount Ida (Kaz Daglari).

What is going on: Through its subsidiary Truva Madencilik, the company has increased the Halilaga Copper Mine project area from 600 to 6,000 hectares in the Bayramic district’s Hacibekirler village.

Why does it matter: This expansion has led to significant concerns from local communities and environmental organizations regarding potential ecological damage.

Residents express concerns as Cengiz Holding plans to cut 1M trees

Concerns grew when reports surfaced that nearly one million trees would be cut down for the project.

Local representatives emphasized that while the company reported 240,000 trees slated for removal, trees with trunks under 8 centimeters were not included in the count.

Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentarian representing Canakkale Ozgur Ceylan disclosed that according to Ida Protection Association’s (Kazdaglari Koruma Dernegi) estimates some 1 million trees will be cut down with the expansion of the mines.

Residents began peaceful protests, holding signs that read, “Do not harm our nature. Do not pollute our land, water, and air” but the company has started cutting down the trees.

The affected area encompasses seven villages, including Hacibekirler, Yaniklar and Sogut, where trees have already been marked for removal.

Canakkale Mayor Muharrem Erkek voiced his concerns: “Mount Ida has served humanity for thousands of years. The authorities approving these permits must take responsibility. We will stand with our community to protect our nature.”

Mount Ida’s history of ecological battles, international attention

Mount Ida, recognized by scientists as one of the most oxygen-rich areas in the world, has faced similar controversies before.

Context: In 2019, Canadian company Alamos Gold cut thousands of trees for gold mining, leading to public outcry across Türkiye. The backlash resulted in the non-renewal of the company’s license, but the deforestation had already taken a toll.

The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion (TEMA) Foundation reported that approximately 1.3 million hectares in the Biga Peninsula and Northern Aegean region are licensed for mining. The foundation stated that mining in these areas poses a risk of irreversible environmental harm.

Cengiz Holding’s previous high-value government contracts

Cengiz Holding has secured numerous major government contracts over the past 21 years.

Key projects include

• Istanbul Taksim-4. Levent Metro Electromechanical Works: $364.4 million (2000)
• Seydisehir Eti Oymapinar HPP: $302.1 million (2003)
• Ankara-Istanbul High-Speed Train Phase 2: $558.6 million (2006)
• Canakkale, Balikesir, Bursa Electricity: $958.3 million (2010)
• Sivas, Tokat, Yozgat Electricity: $263.1 million (2010)
• Ordu-Giresun Airport: $187.9 million (2011)
• Ilgaz Tunnel: $363 million (2011)
• Gebze-Halkali Commuter Line: $4.7 million (2011)
• Ankara-Istanbul YHT T26 Tunnel: $246.3 million (2012)
• Antalya, Burdur Akdeniz Electricity: $558.6 million (2012)
• Istanbul Maltepe Fill Area: $36.7 million (2012)
• Bogazici Electricity Distribution: $1.1 billion (2012)
• Yusufeli Dam and HPP: $263.5 million (2012)
• Istanbul Airport: $28.8 billion (2013)
• Urfa Ilisu Dam and HPP: $1.4 billion (2013)
• Artvin Yusufeli Dam: $269.1 million (2013)
• Yerkoy-Yozgat-Sivas Railway: $35.9 million (2014)
• Huseyin Avni Pasa Grove: $14.2 million (2014)
• Bingol Genc Road: $24.4 million (2016)
• Rize-Artvin Airport: $549 million (2016)
• Gayrettepe-Istanbul Metro: $1.3 billion (2016)
• Macka-Karahava Road: $105.4 million (2019)
• North Marmara Highway: $685.5 million (2020)
• Atasu Dam HPP (Supplies): $62.6 million (2020)
• Trabzon-Askale Zigana Supplies: $128.4 million (2020)
• Iydere Logistics Port: $226.3 million (2020)
• Zigana Tunnel: $65 million (2020)
• Bandirma-Ayazma Railway: $1.2 billion (2020)
• Trabzon Askale Road: $70.5 million (2020)
• Trabzon Atasu Dam (Supplies): $128.4 million (2020)
• Ankara-Sivas Railway Project: $1.3 billion (2021)
• Sile Agva Road: $30.6 million (2022)
• Ovit Tunnel: $78.2 million (2023)
• Eregli Port: $1.3 million (2024)

Cengiz Holding’s recent mining expansions, projects

Besides its extensive history of high-value government projects, Cengiz Holding has continued to expand its mining operations across Türkiye.

Notable recent projects include:

• Sinop Boyabat Mining Contract: Cengiz Holding secured the IV. group mining site in Sinop Boyabat, valued at $13,3 billion, for $107 million. This deal drew criticism because of claims that the tender terms were tailored to the company’s capabilities.
• Elazig Copper Mine Project: The company’s subsidiary, Eti Bakir A.S., received approval for an underground copper mine in Elazig, covering a 290.81-hectare area made up of treasury, forest, and agricultural land. The project, valued at over $263 million, will include infrastructure such as concrete plants, a reservoir, and an explosives depot. According to the company’s environmental impact report, the mine is expected to operate for 28 years, producing around 32.9 million tons of ore. The project area, which includes 2.5 hectares of forest land, is estimated to involve the cutting of approximately 250 trees.

The company’s continued expansion in mining projects highlights the ongoing balance between industrial growth and environmental concerns.

The developments in Mount Ida and other recent ventures reflect the complex challenges of pursuing economic progress while preserving Türkiye‘s natural landscapes.