Environment, locals under cyanide threat in Turkey's Eskişehir

Serpil Kurtay / DUVAR

The environment faces the threat of a cyanide pool construction in the northwestern province of Eskişehir, with locals urging the Environment and Urbanization Ministry to halt the move.

The pool, which is planned to be opened near the Kaymaz village by the Koza Gold Corporation, will be the second one in the area belonging to the same company.

"The opening of the cyanide pool is an inevitable contract for an ever-growing devastation of nature and the expansion of the mine itself," read a petition launched on change.org for the cancellation of the project, adding that the planned pool is close to a residential area.

"Since the pool is in close proximity to the residential area, it will cause great harm to the local community and the surrounding environment," it also read.

The pool will also cause irreparable damage to the Karakaya Climbing Area, a renowned climbing spot in the country.

Open cyanide pools are known with their harm to the environment even if necessary precautions are adopted since an earthquake or an accident may lead to leakage and pollute the soil and underground water resources in the area.

Locals point to the fact that agricultural and arable fields face irreparable damage, leading to the destruction of the sources of income.

They also demand related authorities to look into whether the construction has caused locals to die of cancer.

According to the locals, the Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) report submitted to the ministry for approval is not sufficient in detailing the potential damage.