"Final" cancellation decision for olive groves

The Yatağan Thermal Power Plant in Muğla's Menteşe district, privatized and transferred to Aydem Holding in 2014, has been threatening nature and public health for years. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) process initiated for a proposed mine to supply coal to the plant has been canceled .

Kömür İşletmeleri A.Ş., a subsidiary of the Turkish Coal Enterprises (TCMA), part of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, planned to build a coal mine on a 10.1-hectare agricultural and forestry area. However, the EIA process was terminated following institutional feedback and public outcry. The decision is significant because the bill that would open olive groves to mining activities is advancing in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) with 18 articles approved. If enacted, it would grant unlimited authority to energy companies. This decision could be the final repeal of the proposal that would open olive groves to mining activities.

In the Bayır neighborhood, Kömür İşletmeleri A.Ş. (Coal Enterprises Inc.) has initiated an environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to open a coal mine with the goal of extracting 550,000 tons of lignite annually. The 99 million TL project would cause significant damage to agricultural and forest areas. Local residents and advocates opposed the project. The Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change issued a negative opinion on the matter. The Muğla Water and Sewerage Administration deemed the project unsuitable due to insufficient water resources and the risk of pollution. The Muğla Regional Directorate of Forestry opposed the project, citing reasons such as "tree felling, proximity to olive groves, and public outcry."

The danger of "super permits" is growing

Life advocates say the annulment decision may not be permanent.

The 18 articles of the proposed law, known publicly as the "super permit," opening olive groves to mining have passed Parliament. If enacted, it will grant extensive privileges to energy companies. Villagers who came to Ankara from İkizköy, in the Milas district of Muğla, have turned their ongoing vigil in front of the Turkish Grand National Assembly into a hunger strike. The villagers are escalating their resistance, declaring, "We are protecting our olives, our land, and our water."

The power plant poisoned the region, leaving villages empty

The Yatağan Thermal Power Plant, which began operating in 1982, was transferred to Aydem Holding in 2014. The lignite-fired power plant has threatened public health for years with the toxic gases it releases into the atmosphere. According to reports by environmental organizations, the thermal power plants in Muğla have caused more than 68,000 premature deaths and 43,000 premature births. Villages surrounding the plant have been depopulated.

Heavy metal levels in agricultural products were found to exceed permitted limits. Aydem Energy is led by Ceyhan Saldanlı. The company won 585 public tenders worth 2.4 billion Turkish Lira between 2014 and 2021.