PodcastVillagers in eastern Turkey begin vigil in protest of mine operation
Displaced residents of the Kavaklı village in eastern Turkey began a vigil protest at the lead and zinc mine that has taken over the village since 2007, demanding an immediate stop to the operations in hopes of repairing the environmental and financial damage to the region.
A group of 100 villagers from Kavaklı (Marînus) in Turkey’s eastern province of Hakkari on April 24 gathered to protest the lead and zinc mine in operation since 2007, for the environmental and social harm it has caused in the now desolate village.
The village was evacuated in 1995 because of the armed conflict that had spread to the region.
Its former residents, now living in different cities and villages in the eastern provinces of Hakkari and Van, convened in front of the mine owned by Karakaya Mining and Sedex Resources.
The group first met with two company representatives under gendarmerie surveillance to demand stopping operations.
They began the watch after their demands were denied, deciding to take turns at the mine site.
Salih Kurt made the announcement on behalf of the villagers and described how the village was harmed by the mining activities.
“Our soil was contaminated and lost its yield because of the mine that has been operating for 18 years. Our water sources were poisoned, they became non-potable.”