Court receives expert report on Cerattepe mine plan

The report on the impact of the planned mining activities in the Cerattepe district of the northern province of Artvin was received by the Rize Administrative Court stating that environmental detriments would be diminished if open-pit mining was replaced with closed-pit mining and if the extracted resources were transported with a closed-cabin tramway system. The report also said that if a tramway line was set up and the roadway to the mine’s entrance was expanded, there would be no more than 3,000 trees cut – the number expected to be cut according to the environmental impact report (ÇED) report.

The report examined the potential for landslide risks during mining activities at the plant, saying that if an intermediate leveled production method was used and the spaces opened during the extraction of resources were filled, landslides would be prevented. 

The issue of endemic plants was also addressed in the report, as the Siklamen plant within the field’s activity zone was proposed to be uprooted and replanted in nearby areas with the same ecologic conditions so they would not be negatively impacted.  

Speaking about the report, Green Artvin Association head Nur Neşe Karahan said they would evaluate it closely. 

“We were expecting it to be delayed this much. They have ignored the ÇED report saying ‘either Artvin or mine’ with a memorandum. This is unlawful in itself. Once we evaluate the report, we will make our objections. The decision of the people of Artvin is certain. This is a vital issue. The years-old reports of scientists and the facts known by the people of Artvin cannot be thrown in the garbage,” said Karahan.