At least 9 miners missing after mining accident at Turkish gold mine

　　China News Service, Beijing, February 14th Ankara News: According to foreign media reports, on February 13th local time, a large-scale landslide occurred in a gold mine in eastern Turkey, and at least nine miners were trapped underground.

　　The Associated Press reported that the Copler mine where the incident occurred is located in the Ilichi District of Erzincan Province in eastern Turkey. At around 14:00 local time on the 13th, a massive "earth wave" rushed down the ravine, swallowing everything in its path. Turkish Interior Minister Yellikaya said that nine miners were missing after the landslide and were estimated to be buried underground. There are currently 400 search and rescue personnel working on the scene, and personnel from surrounding provinces have also been sent to provide support.

　　Reuters reported that Turkish authorities said the soil that caused the landslide was excavated from gold mines and piled on the hillside after going through a gold-refining process. The Associated Press, citing environmental scientists, reported that the soil may contain dangerous cyanide due to the extraction of gold. The Kopler mining area is close to the Euphrates River. Once cyanide enters the river, it will cause huge environmental risks.

　　Turkey's Environment Ministry said in a statement that a stream leading to the Euphrates River had been blocked to prevent water pollution.

　　Reuters said that the Kopler mining area is owned by Turkey's Çalık Holding and the US-based SSR Mining Company, and its gold reserves are estimated to be more than 170 tons. The gold mine produced more than 1.6 tonnes of gold in the third quarter of 2023. After the accident, SSR Mining Company announced the suspension of gold mine production, and the company's market value evaporated by more than US$1 billion.

　　The Associated Press stated that an accident occurred in the Kopler mining area in 2020, and a solution containing cyanide leaked into the Euphrates River. After accepting fines and carrying out environmental remediation work, the mine restarted production in 2022. (over)