Court annuls environmental approval for gold mine near Çanakkale's only drinking water reservoir

A court in Çanakkale, in northwestern Turkey, has annulled the environmental approval for an open-pit gold and silver mine planned within the protection zone of Atikhisar Dam, the city's only source of drinking water.

The Çanakkale 2nd Administrative Court canceled the positive environmental impact assessment (EIA) decision for the project by Koza Altın İşletmeleri near the villages of Serçiler and Terziler, after earlier suspending it. The suit was filed by environmental groups, including the Kazdağı Natural and Cultural Assets Protection Association and several regional environmental platforms, along with local residents.

It was one of three lawsuits against the project. In a case filed by the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, another court had already annulled the EIA approval, and in a third, brought by Çanakkale Municipality, the court issued a suspension.

In a joint statement, the groups said the dam had been saved from "one more threat." But they criticized the court for dismissing some individual plaintiffs, including representatives of the Gülpınar Sustainable Living Association and the Bergama Environmental Platform, for lack of standing. "Every citizen living in this country has the right to live in a healthy environment," the statement said, noting that ore from the mine was to be transported to Bergama. The groups said they will appeal that part of the ruling.

The groups also pointed to other mining and energy projects planned around the Kaz Mountains and Madra Mountain.

This brief is based on reporting by the ekoIQ newsroom, published Oct. 12, 2026. Read the original: https://www.ekoiq.com/atikhisarda-altin-madenine-verilen-ced-karari-iptal-canakkalenin-icme-suyu-kaynagi-kurtuldu/