Demonstrators gathered on November 9 at the construction site of Cengiz Holding in Turkey’s Kaz Mountains. The company has been cutting trees in the area for more than a week as preparation for a copper mine project. The event drew locals, environmentalists, and supporters from political and civil society groups.
The protest took place in the Bayramiç area. Organisers said the project poses risks to nearby villages, agricultural land, and the Kaz Mountains ecosystem. They also pointed to concerns about ecological and human impacts associated with the planned works.
Tree felling and potential impacts on villages and water sources
Protesters said nearly one million trees are expected to be felled for the copper mine project. They argued that the mine would affect villages, agricultural areas, and water sources used by rural communities. The Kazdağları Ecology Platform, which organised the demonstration, said the environmental damage could be severe.
The platform claimed that the project could erase entire villages and their farmlands. Local residents described opposition linked to potential effects on daily life in the affected settlements. Women from villages identified as being under threat also took part in the protest.
Local opposition and questions over approvals
During the demonstration, one protester said authorities do not allow even minor harm to branches elsewhere, while the project proceeds in their area. The protest also highlighted concerns about how economic development is weighed against environmental sustainability. Organisers said these tensions have intensified after government approval of the project.
Protesters questioned how the local governor’s office approved the mine given environmental and public health risks. They cited water scarcity in the region as a factor relevant to their concerns about water-related impacts. The demonstrators called for action related to permissions connected to moving forward with the project.
Political participation from opposition parties
The protest included a political dimension, with participation from opposition figures and parties. Representatives of the People’s Republican Party (CHP), along with MPs and local officials, showed support for demonstrators at the site. Their presence was described as solidarity with calls made by local residents.
CHP representatives and other participants urged revocation of permits and licenses that enabled the project to proceed. The protesters framed their demands around environmental protection and public health concerns tied to industrial activity in Kaz Mountains. The demonstration brought together local grievances with broader policy questions about permitting decisions.