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A Turkish gold mine where nine workers died in a landslide in February announced on Monday that it would be laying off nearly 200 staff, causing unrest among unions. The Anagold company cited a “difficult economic situation” resulting from the shutdown as the reason for making 187 staff redundant at the Copler mine in Erzincan province, located about 600 kilometers (375 miles) east of Ankara. The mine currently employs 667 miners.
A devastating mudslide swept through the mine in February, leading to the tragic loss of nine workers. Subsequently, the environmental license of the mine was revoked. The Bagmsiz Maden Is union criticized Anagold, which is majority-owned by US-Canadian company SSR Mining, for its alleged “safety deficiencies.”
The union’s lawyer, Mert Batur, expressed, “The conditions that led to the revocation of the license were created by Anagold and the exploitation of the mine has made it impossible for other sources of revenue in this district due to environmental repercussions.”
Batur continued, “Anagold should be held accountable for the economic consequences of its actions and continue to pay the salaries of its workers.” According to initial reports on the February incident, mine management failed to implement necessary safety precautions after observing cracks in the mountains of earth, which ultimately led to the disaster. As a result, six mine officials were detained.
The mine gained attention in 2022 due to a cyanide leak that resulted in a temporary halt in operations. Despite facing protests, Anagold resumed operations at the mine after paying a fine.
Additional Insights:
Importance of Safety Measures:
Ensuring the implementation of stringent safety measures in mining operations is crucial to prevent tragic accidents like the one at the Copler mine. Companies must prioritize worker safety and adhere to regulations to avoid such incidents.
Environmental Responsibility:
Mining companies have a responsibility to protect the environment and mitigate negative impacts from their operations. Compliance with environmental regulations is essential to prevent ecological harm and maintain sustainable practices.
Labor Rights and Accountability:
Protecting the rights of workers and holding companies accountable for their actions, especially in cases of negligence or safety violations, is imperative. Unions play a vital role in advocating for labor rights and ensuring fair treatment of employees.
Text size
A Turkish gold mine where nine workers died in a landslide in February announced on Monday that it would be laying off nearly 200 staff, causing unrest among unions. The Anagold company cited a “difficult economic situation” resulting from the shutdown as the reason for making 187 staff redundant at the Copler mine in Erzincan province, located about 600 kilometers (375 miles) east of Ankara. The mine currently employs 667 miners.
A devastating mudslide swept through the mine in February, leading to the tragic loss of nine workers. Subsequently, the environmental license of the mine was revoked. The Bagmsiz Maden Is union criticized Anagold, which is majority-owned by US-Canadian company SSR Mining, for its alleged “safety deficiencies.”
The union’s lawyer, Mert Batur, expressed, “The conditions that led to the revocation of the license were created by Anagold and the exploitation of the mine has made it impossible for other sources of revenue in this district due to environmental repercussions.”
Batur continued, “Anagold should be held accountable for the economic consequences of its actions and continue to pay the salaries of its workers.” According to initial reports on the February incident, mine management failed to implement necessary safety precautions after observing cracks in the mountains of earth, which ultimately led to the disaster. As a result, six mine officials were detained.
The mine gained attention in 2022 due to a cyanide leak that resulted in a temporary halt in operations. Despite facing protests, Anagold resumed operations at the mine after paying a fine.
Additional Insights:
Importance of Safety Measures:
Ensuring the implementation of stringent safety measures in mining operations is crucial to prevent tragic accidents like the one at the Copler mine. Companies must prioritize worker safety and adhere to regulations to avoid such incidents.
Environmental Responsibility:
Mining companies have a responsibility to protect the environment and mitigate negative impacts from their operations. Compliance with environmental regulations is essential to prevent ecological harm and maintain sustainable practices.
Labor Rights and Accountability:
Protecting the rights of workers and holding companies accountable for their actions, especially in cases of negligence or safety violations, is imperative. Unions play a vital role in advocating for labor rights and ensuring fair treatment of employees.
