AKP will destroy Cappadocia with cyanide: Turkey's main opposition deputy
A main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy slammed the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for yielding permission for cyanide drilling for gold mines in central Turkey's Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Deputy Ali Öztunç noted that gold mining caused mass deforestation in western Turkey's Kaz Mountains.
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The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is going to cause the destruction of central Turkey's Cappadocia by allowing the search of gold mines with cyanide, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Ali Öztunç said.
Öztunç noted that the AKP already allowed for mass deforestation in western Turkey's Kaz Mountains by a Canadian firm, adding that they're targeting Cappadocia next.
Another Canadian firm is cutting trees down to perform drilling near Cappadocia's UNESCO World Heritage site, Öztunç noted.
"These lands contain valuable water sources. They left it in the hands of a company that allegedly poisoned 5,000 people in Kyrgyzstan," the deputy said.
A recent poll revealed that 76 percent of locals refuted mining over environmental concerns and that they want the climate and nature to be prioritized, the deputy added.
Öztunç said that he will continue to give his support to locals' fight against gold mining in Cappadocia.