February 13th

Environmental and Technical Measures

Under the coordination of the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, the culvert in the Sabırlı Stream was closed and water outflow to the Karasu River was prevented.

In line with the guidance of the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, a total of 2 dam banks, 1 impermeable and 1 permeable, were built on the Sabırlı Stream. The water accumulated in front of the banks is sent to the Waste Storage Facility via sewage trucks and pumps.

Under the supervision of the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, diversion projects were carried out to divert the Sabırlı Creek without contacting the landslide material in order to prevent possible flood risk.

• Kuruçeşme Basin Derivation: With the completed diversion line, a maximum base flow of 100 L/s was directed to the Kuruçeşme Basin via a 315 mm diameter HDPE pipe (approximately 4 km).

• Bağıştaş Dam Derivation: In the diversion line project, planned with a 3,634-meter-long pipeline with a diameter of 1,600 mm, the pipeline and channels have been completed.

From the moment the incident occurs, the return solution from the pile is directed to the storm pool and then to the Waste Storage Facility.

All chemicals in the facility and in stock have been removed from the mine site by taking the necessary precautions.

From the moment of the incident until now;

• The Ministry collected 1076 water samples from 22 different points, 17 landslide samples from 11 different points and 4 reference samples from 4 different points. These samples were analyzed by the Ministry's Environmental Reference Laboratory, an accredited environmental laboratory.
• Anagold collected 4408 water samples from 109 different points and 393 landslide samples from 384 different points. These samples were analyzed by Anagold Analytical Laboratory, an accredited laboratory.
• Air quality is monitored daily at the mobile air quality monitoring station belonging to the ministry and at 6 environmental monitoring stations belonging to Anagold located in the surrounding villages.

No negative results were found in the analyses (including drinking water).

Within the scope of monitoring by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Turkey;

• Until April 5, 2024, samples were taken from 6 surface and 5 groundwater points daily and 3 groundwater points weekly.
• Since this date, samples are taken twice a week from 4 surface and 4 groundwater points. (Since there is no flow at 2 surface water points, samples cannot be taken at the moment.)

Within the scope of Anagold internal monitoring;

• Until July 1, 2024, samples were taken daily from 7 surface and 9 groundwater points.
• Since this date, samples are taken twice a week from 4 surface and 5 groundwater points.

Sampling points and collection frequencies may vary depending on flow and precipitation.

All monitoring continues under the control of the Ministry and no negative results have been encountered.

Search Activities

In the tragic incident that took place in our Çöpler mine, the remains of all our colleagues who were buried underground were delivered. Search activities were completed on June 10, 2024.

In order to carry out the search activities safely, the soil movements in the area were monitored 24/7 with 4 georadars and supported by an emergency announcement system.

Approximately 190 personnel worked 24/7 within the scope of the search activities. Each backhoe loader was accompanied by one personnel.

With approximately 180 trucks, 40 excavators and 1,300 personnel, the work continued 24/7 until June 10, 2024.

Appropriate personal protective equipment and gear have been provided to all teams in the field during search and material handling activities, and spares have been stocked.

Personnel conducting field work have high-sensitivity detectors that measure hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas. Hourly measurements are recorded and no negative results have been detected.

At the same time, periodic health checks and examinations are carried out for all teams working in the field and no negative results have been detected to date.

Landslide Material Transportation Activities

Landslide material is transported by trucks and temporarily stored in 3 areas within the mine site.

• Main Pit
• Marble Pit
• Southwest Pasa Field

Necessary impermeability measures have been taken in temporary storage areas under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Turkey and Istanbul Technical University (ITU) faculty members.

The landslide material will then be disposed of by transporting it to the permanent storage area, where preparation work is ongoing within the mine site.

All transportation and rehabilitation activity costs are covered by the company.

Following the application made by the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), the operation to store the floating material in the quarry area, which was out of use, was suspended in September.

In the application for stay of execution, TMMOB claims that the ground impermeability of the storage area cannot be ensured and that it is not appropriate to transport the material to this area.

However, in the process of determining temporary storage areas, the most appropriate location was selected in line with the relevant legislation and scientific principles.

• Our temporary storage areas have been designed and made environmentally safe in accordance with national and international standards, with the contributions of academics and independent engineering firms.

Impermeability is ensured with natural clay used in these areas and high density polyethylene geomembrane layers in necessary areas, and water drainage systems are meticulously implemented.