Türkiye inspects over 3,000 mining sites in 2024: Energy minister
Ankara steps up inspections on mines, Türkiye’s energy minister confirms
A total of 3,225 mine inspections have been conducted in Türkiye as of April 15 this year, the Turkish energy and natural resources minister said on Thursday.
Addressing an event on sustainability, occupational health, and safety in mines in the Turkish capital Ankara, Alparslan Bayraktar said the ministry has increased mine inspections.
The General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG) carried out more than 8,000 inspections on mining license areas in 2023, resulting in the imposition of administrative fines totaling 1.2 million Turkish liras, he said.
These inspections have resulted in the issuing of activity suspensions for 2,421 infringements.
Bayraktar stressed that the responsibility falls on mine operators and investors to ensure worker health and safety, while also emphasizing the importance of more effective inspections.
“You need to operate your businesses without compromising, without putting a single employee at risk,” he said.
Bayraktar’s remarks came after a landslide hit a gold mine, trapping at least nine workers underground in Türkiye's eastern Erzincan province on Feb. 13. One worker’s body was recovered earlier this month.
The mine obtained its operating license in 2004 and is under the management of private firm Anagold Mining, a joint venture corporation of SSR Mining and Lidya Madencilik (Mining).