Court examines Cerattepe mine site amid protests

One month after the government ordered the suspension of the construction of a mine following protests by environmental activists in Cerattepe in the northwest, a court started examining the site to decide whether to green-light the construction. Protesters were present at the site as a group of experts appointed by the court arrived to see if the planned mine would harm the environment, despite a pledge by the government that no work would be permitted at the site until the court concludes a lawsuit by protesters.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met protest leaders last month following days of violent protests at the site near the city of Artvin. He reassured the protesters and said the private company owning the mine would not be allowed to go ahead with the construction unless the court rules in favor of the company.

Neşe Karahan, the leader of protesters as the head of a local association, headed a large crowd of activists and locals opposing the construction at Cerattepe. Amid tight security measures, experts entered the site for examination while a small group of protesters were allowed to observe the work. Activists staged "a silent protest" as experts passed by them.

The mountainous site of the proposed copper mine has seen a string of riots for days by protesters who argue that the mine, owned by a private company, would substantially damage the lush environment surrounding the mountain.

The government has repeatedly downplayed concerns that the construction of the mine and extraction of copper in Cerattepe would harm the environment, arguing that the mining company was prohibited from conducting open-pit mining operations.

Environment and Urban Planning Minister Fatma Güldemet Sarı said in a statement that all measures had been taken to prevent harm to the natural environment, but that "provocateurs" among the protesters were trying to "incite riots." Sarı said the copper extracted from the mine would be transported by cable cars, and thus no new roads would be built in the area. Additionally, Sarı argued that underground mining work would be carried out at the mine, avoiding harm to the environment. "These are detailed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report - a report that serves as a permission document issued to businesses in mining and other sectors with activities that could potentially harm the environment. However, opponents of the mine claim the mining would ‘melt the [Cerattepe] mountain' and have incited people to take a stand against it," Sarı said.

"Certainly, all the necessary measures are taken for any project located in the heart of nature. My ministry will monitor if the company complies with commitments to not damage the environment, and we warn them or issue sanctions if they fail to comply," Sarı said.