Mining company's waste pollutes river in Giresun, residents protest

Residents of Çatalağaç village in Giresun are sounding the alarm over severe environmental pollution allegedly caused by Alagöz Maden, a mining company associated with AKP Iğdır Deputy Cantürk Alagöz. The river, which traverses the Harşit Valley and ultimately flows into the Black Sea, has reportedly turned a dark, grayish-black color, emitting a strong, unpleasant odor. Villagers claim that mining waste is being directly discharged into the water, constituting a grave violation of natural resources. "You cannot continue to operate like this, leaving mine waste in nature as if nothing happened. This violation of water resources is treason," declared one concerned resident, capturing the depth of anger and frustration felt by the community.

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You cannot continue to operate like this, leaving mine waste in nature as if nothing happened. This violation of water resources is treason.

This is not the first time Alagöz Maden has faced accusations of environmental negligence. Local residents report that the company has been previously fined for environmental pollution, but these administrative penalties have proven ineffective in deterring further damage. "Giving a fine of three kuruş encourages the mining company even more. It incentivizes it to pollute more," another resident lamented. This sentiment highlights a critical issue: current punitive measures are failing to address the root cause of the problem, allowing environmental degradation to persist. The community feels increasingly devalued, watching their natural heritage suffer while regulatory actions appear insufficient.

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Giving a fine of three kuruş encourages the mining company even more. It incentivizes it to pollute more.

Officials from the Giresun Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change visited the site following the complaints, leading to a tense exchange with villagers. While officials promised an inspection of the mining site and acknowledged previous penalties, including a recent fine of 5 million Turkish Liras, residents remain unconvinced. They argue that monetary fines do not solve the recurring problem of pollution and the continuous destruction of nature. The community's demand is clear: the company's operations must be suspended until effective environmental protection measures are implemented. The situation underscores a broader challenge in Turkey, where economic development, particularly in resource extraction, must be balanced with robust environmental protection and effective enforcement mechanisms to prevent irreversible damage to the country's natural resources.

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We have never felt so devalued. Do you know why our friends in Sekü Village are fighting? So that these scenes do not happen in their village. This pollution reaches the Harşit Valley and the Black Sea from here.