The TEMA Foundation recently revealed that there are approximately 24 thousand mining licenses in 20 provinces in Turkey. When the detailed mining maps in these provinces were examined, it was determined that the mining licenses were issued without a holistic perspective and without considering the cumulative effects. Following these studies, the Foundation prepared a policy document against mining activities that threaten our natural assets, food security and cultural values, and suggested that areas closed to mining be determined by law.
As a result of the map studies that show the distribution of mining licenses, which TEMA Foundation has been carrying out since 2019, in 24 provinces (Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Muğla, Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, Afyonkarahisar, Kütahya, Uşak, Zonguldak, Bartın, Eskişehir, Karaman, Kahramanmaraş, Erzincan, Tunceli, Ordu, Tokat). , Artvin, Erzurum, Bayburt, Şırnak, Siirt, Batman and Sivas) revealed that there are approximately 20 thousand mining licenses. Your licenses; According to the results of the studies examining the relationship between forests, protected areas, agricultural and pasture areas and cultural properties, it was seen that the average license rate of the provinces was 63%. In the face of this situation that threatens our nature, water and soil existence, food health and food security, TEMA Foundation shared its policy document with the public. According to the document, the Foundation stated that areas closed to mining should be determined by law, as suggested by different sub-organizations of the United Nations and as in some other countries.
Deniz Ataç, Chairman of the Board of TEMA Foundation, drew attention to the fact that the legislation allowing mining everywhere, regardless of status and quality, is not enough to protect our natural assets, food safety and cultural values; “Even though restrictions are tried to be imposed on mining activities with regulations and policy decisions, these easily changed regulations leave nature and human health insecure and unprotected. With the mining activities, the disconnection of the topsoil formed over thousands of years from the main rock, the intense water consumption used during the operation and the chemical pollution it causes; Permanent health problems in the region where it is located leave negative effects on socio-economic and cultural life. Preventing these threats caused by mining activities will be possible by protecting forests, protected areas, fertile agricultural and pasture lands, drinking water basins, local culture and residential areas from the damages of mining. As stated by the United Nations Environment Agency (UNEP) and as practiced by many countries, determining the areas closed to mining by laws and not allowing any mining activities, including exploration activities, in these designated areas, natural assets, biological wealth, wildlife, agriculture and pasture areas, It is the only way to protect coasts and drinking water basins from mining activities. If the law does not protect it, the mine will not survive," he said.
Areas Closed to Mining Policy Paper
According to the Policy Document for Areas Closed to Mining, prepared by the TEMA Foundation; The following areas should be closed to mining activities for the sustainability of the ecosystem, biodiversity, continuity of wildlife, and access to potable water and safe food:
The main business purpose in forest management plans; Forest areas designated as nature protection, erosion prevention, climate protection, water production, public health, aesthetics, ecotourism and recreation, national defense and fulfilling scientific functions
All protected areas;
Based on the National Parks Law No. 2873; national parks, nature parks, natural monuments,
Environmental Law No. 2872; Special Environmental Protection Areas
Land Hunting Law No. 4915; Wildlife Sanctuaries, Wildlife Development Areas and Wildlife Settlement Areas
Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets; cultural assets, natural assets, protected areas
Areas Protected by International Conventions;
biosphere reserve areas,
Ramsar areas
Potential Protected Areas such as Important Nature, Bird and Plant Areas determined by scientific studies (by gaining protection status)
Farming areas;
Based on the Soil Conservation and Land Use Law No. 5403; absolute agricultural lands, special crop lands, planted farmlands and large plains,
Rangelands, meadows, pastures and wintering areas where endemic or rare species with local distribution and local geographical races, although widely distributed, are determined within the scope of Pasture Law No. 4342,
Olive fields, whose borders are drawn with the Olive Law No. 3573,
Drinking water basins with all protection distances,
Wetlands (Ramsar Areas, wetlands of national and local importance),
Coastal areas and marine protected areas (by giving protection status to seagrass and sand dunes),
Potential Protected Areas such as Important Nature, Bird and Plant Areas determined by scientific studies (by gaining protection status)
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