Goldmine in Bergama is a source of political controversy for long-time but different reasons. Problems began with environmental concerns and followed by “being national” and finally with the financing of terrorism. In this brief account of the events related to this particular mine, the chronologic order will be followed.
I. Beginning and Increased Tension in the 90s
Gold mining started in Bergama a province of Izmir in the early 90s as a foreign investment. In 1989, Eurogold as a German-Australian partnership obtained a concession right for gold mining in Ovacık village. In 1991, feasibility and preliminary construction work started. After mine began to become operative, there was a growing concern among local people considering the usage of cyanides. Mayor of Bergame organized the local villagers to resist this mine citing environmental issues in particular deforestation and risk of leakage of cyanide. The first lawsuit was initiated in 1994, but it was just the pioneer of many other cases.
Deforestation was the red-line for the villagers due to the loss of iconic olive trees of the region spread this dissatisfaction to large-scale in November 1996. On 15th November 1996, villagers blocked the main road between Çanakkale-İzmir for six hours. Ten days later, they carried out another activity such as marching by carrying a coffin under the funeral march of Chopin in heavy-rain. This type of protestation was a novelty for the local people.
In 1997, usage of dynamites in the mine just strengthened the anger towards the mine. At the same year, villagers carried out 50 manifestations to protest the new developments in the region. On 22nd April 1997, the gold mine was invaded by 4000 villagers. The Same year, Conseil d’état, highest administrative court ordered precautionary measure to stop the production. Since this decision wasn’t executed, workers did the “apache protest” by coloring their faces. They were doing patrols with axes. On 26th August 2017, they promoted this fight on the national scale by blockage of Bosphorus Bridge –main road in Istanbul- for two hours by three buses full of villagers. They chained themselves to the bridge.
These manifestations were transformative for the rural women. On this occasion, they raised their voice and participated in the protest with men shoulder by shoulder.
II. Ghandi-styled Manifestations in the 2000s
Oktay Konyar (premier man on the left) was a local political party representative. Due to his clothing namely being topless with just his particular pajamas, he was nicknamed as “Asterisk.” Konyar was the figure behind the persistence of this struggle in the early-2000s.
The struggle against the gold mine also contains a legal action lasted more than 22 years. As a result, the mine was shut down twice. Once in 2002, it was just 24 hours. The second one was between August 2004- May 2005. Afterwards, mine has been continuously open and operative even today.
After 2005, the struggle was slow down due to many of the villagers were employed by the farm because of they cannot farm anymore. Meanwhile, the mine was sold few times. Finally, it was sold to Koza Mining Company from French Normandy Co. in 2005. The owner of the Koza Co is Akın İpek is a well-known financier of Fetullah Gülen –a US-based cleric.
III. Terrorism Financing Investigations
The mine was even subjected to a trial of European Court of Human Rights otherwise known as “Taşçı v. Turkey”. European Court found the violation of article 8 (right to private life) and article 6 (right to fair trial). Court’s rationale was mainly based on the non-compliance of administrative court judgment by regulatory authorities.
In July 2016, the failed coup attempt was linked to the religious cult of Fethullah Gülen. As one the chief financier of him, Akın İpek’s companies were received trustees from the state. Bergama Gold Mine became a hot spot for judicial scrutiny as there were some discrepancies related to the acquisition of the mine by Koza Co. Since 2016, the company’s assets were frozen and put under the control of the state.
Numerous environmental impact assessments were carried out in the gold mine. At the final evaluation, the mine was shot down. However, it seems quite likely that the operator might get the license once again in the near future.
OD
