Hasandin (Hesandin) mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Kulp (Pasur) district of Diyarbakır (Amed), has become the target of mining exploration.

Last year, villagers and nomadic communities blocked drilling attempts by a company named Kulp Madencilik. Following legal action and community resistance, it was revealed that the company had obtained an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report in 2008 but failed to initiate operations within the legally required five-year period. Although the governor's office reportedly canceled the permit, road construction in the area nevertheless began.

Villagers observing the ongoing work said the road, which extends toward the highlands, is being built for a military outpost. Highlighting that the same road also serves mining efforts, they stated: “Our land is being systematically destroyed.”

In response to an information request submitted by lawyers to the Ministry of Environment last year, the ministry stated on 6 September 2024 that the company had received a “no EIA required” report in 2008. However, since it failed to begin operations within five years, the report was declared invalid. Based on this statement, the company was not granted permission to carry out mining activities. One month later, on 9 October 2024, the company filed a new application to the provincial directorate, claiming that it had extracted 100,000 tons of mineral from the Hasandin highland in 2011, 2012, and 2013. On the same day, the directorate responded by saying that, since the mineral had allegedly already been extracted, the previous EIA exemption remained in effect.

Following this approval, road construction began on the highland and has continued for ten days. While the project is officially presented as part of military outpost construction, villagers who visited the site today where excavators were operating reported that they were unable to get any answers from either the soldiers or the company workers when they asked about the purpose of the work.

Lawyers who requested access to documents related to the project were told: “We cannot provide them.” Along the road constructed for the military outpost, dozens of trees were visibly destroyed. Villagers stated that the military post serves as a pretext and that the road is primarily being built for mining purposes. Although a road could have been more easily constructed from the other side of the mountain, villagers noted that the path has been deliberately widened in areas where drilling for mining is planned.

The roadwork continues seven days a week, with dozens of soldiers accompanying the excavators at all times. The villagers we spoke with reacted strongly to the environmental destruction. Eyüp Aydeniz, a lawyer from the Diyarbakır Bar Association, stated that an unlawful road is being carved into the mountain and warned that this project is laying the groundwork for future mining operations.

Water and means of survival will be destroyed

Remzi Turan, a resident of Argün (Şirnaz) village located at the foot of Hasandin mountain, said: “This is not just an issue for Kulp, it concerns every district. Everyone should stand up for this land. It is going to be ruined. They have already destroyed the environment with this road construction. They did this in just ten days. They have devastated our gardens for the sake of one company, for one man. We do not accept this.”

Nedim Emre, who also lives in the same village, said: “We are here for our animals and for our land. They have left nothing intact in Kulp. Half of it is already under the dam, and the other half has been opened up for mining. If mining begins here, people will be left without water. We do not know who is targeting this district like this. There will be nothing left for agriculture or livestock. If Hasandin is destroyed, we will have nothing left. Right now, our water runs like blood. They keep talking about the Silvan dam, but this dam has already devastated our district. We have lived here for a thousand years. We have paid a heavy price for this land. And now they confront us for the sake of a single company. We will not allow them to destroy this place. We will defend our land.”

Cevahir Tekin also spoke out, saying that their natural living spaces were being targeted: “They are doing everything they can to make sure people no longer live here. Through the dam, they aim to erase us and end our way of life. But we will resist, from the youngest to the oldest. We will not give up this struggle. People must protect this land and, when the call is made, they must march to Hasandin.”

Crimes committed based on company’s false claims

Lawyer Eyüp Aydeniz emphasized that the decision regarding the EIA report is unlawful and constitutes the crime of falsifying official documents. He noted that the company falsely claimed to have carried out mining activities in 2011, 2012, and 2013, even though no such work has been conducted in the area.

He underlined that the only activity taking place on the mountain is the road construction that has been ongoing for ten days. “We must clearly state this,” Aydeniz said. “The response given by the governor’s office to the company, confirming the validity of the EIA report, is an absolute scandal. It is a scandal because no mining activity has ever been carried out here. The only visible activity is the road construction, which you can see for yourself today. This constitutes the crime of falsifying official documents. Secondly, it is a clear violation of the tax procedure law, because the company is claiming to have produced something it never did. They may even have paid value-added tax to the state based on this claim, or requested state support.”

Aydeniz also said that they were unable to obtain any information regarding the alleged construction of a military outpost. “During our visit today, we did not encounter any official representatives. We only saw a surveying engineer working on the road. They say a military outpost is being built, and that the gendarmerie is providing security for the roadwork. But we do not know what kind of project this really is. What is clear is that an illegal road is being constructed in the Hasandin highlands for mining purposes. The road cuts directly through a forest. This is a violation of forestry law, because unlawfully entering and damaging a forest, destroying the natural environment, is a crime.”

Lawyer Aydeniz stressed that the real aim of the project is mining in the Hasandin highlands. “Dozens of villages depend on this area for drinking water. People here also rely on livestock farming, beekeeping, and transhumance. If this highland is opened to mining, both nature and the people’s living space will be entirely destroyed. What is happening here is not only unlawful, it is also a direct attack on people’s source of life. Agricultural products grown in the area will be contaminated by this mining operation. No one has the right to destroy nature and people’s source of life. We are calling on everyone to act in accordance with the law. We appeal to the Diyarbakır Governor’s Office, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Energy. Do not turn a blind eye to this illegal activity.”