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Turkey's mining threatens ancient olive grove heritage

DW News · 1 month ago
DW News
DW News
1 month ago

The country's hunger for energy and raw materials is destroying ancient olive groves. Mining has already destroyed eight villages. Now, whole communities are fighting back.

Breakdown
  • A lignite mine near İkizköy, Muğla, is expanding into family farmland and displacing villagers. 13s
  • A new law passed in July allows coal mining in areas previously protected for olive trees, some over 200 years old. 1m 9s
  • Local residents and activists have protested the mine's expansion for over five years, facing detentions and pressure. 1m 40s
  • A study found Turkey lost about 1,800 square kilometers of natural and agricultural land between 2018 and 2023, the most in Europe. 3m 17s
  • Attempts to obtain statements from the Energy Ministry and Yeke Energy Company were unsuccessful; opposition parties continue to support local protests. 3m 52s