By Trend News Line 2024-05-25 11:19:00.
The Tragic Landslide at Çöpler Gold Mine
On a fateful day in the eastern province of Erzincan, a devastating landslide occurred at the leach area of the Çöpler Gold Mine, claiming the lives of nine hardworking individuals. The incident was described as a “work accident” in a newly published expert report that shed light on the events leading up to the tragedy.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
Primary Negligent Parties identified
The report pointed fingers at 13 individuals, including Anagold Mining’s Turkey Director, Cengiz Yalçın Demirci, as the primary responsible parties for the disaster. Shockingly, even officials who had signed off on the positive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report were found to be primarily at fault. The report highlighted that the project had been granted an EIA-positive status despite some pollutants exceeding limits.
Questionable Investigations and Arrests
Following the accident, the police had detained Demirci, but he was released within six hours, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the investigation. Subsequently, four suspects were arrested after being interrogated by the prosecutor, bringing the total number of arrests in the investigation to 12. However, the report did not find five individuals currently arrested for the accident guilty, prompting the prosecutor’s office to request their acquittal and release.
Secondary Responsibles and Arrests
The expert report identified 26 individuals as secondary responsibles in the 262-page document, marking the third report produced during the ongoing investigation. The health and safety director, operations chief, project coordinator, and drilling and blasting engineer were among those primarily at fault and were summoned to courthouses to give their statements. The arrests of four suspects further intensified the legal proceedings surrounding the tragic incident.
Contributing Factors to the Disaster
The report highlighted various errors that culminated in the disaster, including the failure to establish a proper project management mechanism, design errors in the prepared projects, inadequate monitoring during the operation phase, insufficient warning systems, and a lack of an effective management system to address warning signs of cracks. Additionally, environmental pollution was caused by the incident, as reports during the design and planning stages did not meet the requirements of current regulations.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
The Ongoing Rescue Efforts
The Çöpler Gold Mine disaster left a lasting impact on the community, with nine workers tragically losing their lives under tonnes of chemical-contaminated soil. Two months after the incident, search teams were able to recover the bodies of four workers, while seven remain buried under the massive soil heap. Despite repeated warnings from experts, the disaster unfolded, prompting the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) to caution against risks in the mining facility months before the accident.
Continued Investigation and Calls for Accountability
The investigation into the Çöpler Gold Mine disaster continues to uncover new details and hold individuals accountable for their roles in the tragic event. With arrests made and suspects summoned to courthouses, the quest for justice and transparency remains at the forefront of efforts to prevent such disasters in the future. As rescue efforts persist and the community mourns the loss of nine lives, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and compliance in mining operations..
Turkish court arrests four regarding İliç gold mine disaster
New expert report following İliç gold mine disaster.
