Mining pressure on Mount Madra

The positive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report decision granted to TÜMAD Madencilik’s project to increase the capacity of its gold and silver mine in the İvrindi district of Balıkesir has once again brought to the fore the impacts on the forests and water resources of Mount Madra. Whilst the project envisages the felling of 66,410 trees, the potential consequences of the capacity increase on the region’s ecosystem and agricultural production are being debated.

The capacity increase planned by TÜMAD Mining for its gold and silver mine, operating in the Madra Mountain basin in the İvrindi district of Balıkesir, has reignited debates regarding the region’s future. Following the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change’s issuance of a positive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) decision for the project, the potential impacts on forest areas, water resources and agricultural production have become a matter of public concern.

TÜMAD Mining, a subsidiary of Nurol Holding, is pursuing the İvrindi Gold and Silver Mine Capacity Expansion Project, which involves expanding the existing operational area, increasing ore production and enlarging the heap leaching facility. In June, a positive EIA decision was issued for the project, and the felling of 66,410 trees was projected as part of the capacity expansion. It was reported that the project’s expansion area covers 452.44 hectares and that the entire area is classified as forest land.

452-hectare expansion, felling of 66,000 trees

One of the most significant environmental aspects of the capacity expansion project is the opening up of forest areas to mining activities. Under the project, the total EIA area is planned to reach approximately 1,287.95 hectares, whilst the expansion area is set to cover 452.44 hectares.

News reports regarding the EIA Report state that the capacity expansion is expected to result in the felling of 66,410 trees. The report also states that, in line with the opinion of the Regional Forestry Directorate, the planting of 166,000 trees is planned. However, the commitment to tree planting does not mean that the ecological structure created by the felled trees, the integrity of the forest, or the habitats of wildlife will be restored in the short term.

The forests on Madra Mountain are important for water retention, soil conservation, the maintenance of habitats for living organisms, and the regulation of the regional climate. The fragmentation of the forest cover due to mining activities raises the question of how these functions will be affected in the long term.

The importance of Madra Mountain in terms of its two water catchment areas

Another contentious aspect of the project concerns water resources. The mining site is situated on the watershed dividing the Northern Aegean and Susurluk catchment areas. This location makes it essential to assess the mining activities in terms of water management and catchment ecosystem impacts.

İskender Bayhan, an MP for the Labour Party in Istanbul, also brought TÜMAD’s capacity expansion project to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 2026.

In Bayhan’s statement dated 25 February 2026, concerns were raised regarding the project’s impact on forest areas and water basins. The statement highlighted the risks of acid rock drainage and measures leading to a drop in the groundwater level, as outlined in the EIA Report.

The cyanide heap leaching method used in gold production is also at the centre of environmental debates. In this method, a cyanide-containing solution is applied to the ore to extract gold and silver. As the facility expands, the adequacy of measures regarding leakage, waste management and the protection of water quality is becoming increasingly important.

To determine the scale of potential impacts, hydrogeological data, water quality measurements, waste management plans and the results of independent environmental monitoring must be assessed collectively.

TÜMAD, meanwhile, states on its website that 100 per cent of process water is recovered in the capacity expansion project, and that rainwater and snowmelt harvesting has resulted in a 70–80 per cent reduction in groundwater usage. The company also states that environmental monitoring studies and hydrogeological assessments are being carried out. It is important to evaluate the discrepancy between the company’s statements and the concerns of environmental organisations on the basis of independent measurements and verifiable data.

Environmental concerns stretching from Mount Madra to Ayvalık

Madra Mountain and the surrounding natural areas are significant not only for Balıkesir but also for agricultural production and rural life in the Northern Aegean. The olive groves, agricultural land and local water sources around Havran, Gömeç and Ayvalık are at risk of being affected by environmental changes at the catchment level.

Debates regarding mining activities in the region are not limited solely to TÜMAD’s İvrindi site. Gold and copper mining projects being carried out or planned by various companies around the Kaz Mountains and Mount Madra have also long been the subject of debate concerning issues such as deforestation, water usage, waste disposal and the future of agricultural production.

Consequently, the debate over capacity expansion transcends the boundaries of a single operation, evolving into a question of how the region’s natural resources should be utilised. On the one hand, there are expectations regarding mining production, employment and economic revenue; on the other, there is the long-term sustainability of the local economy, which relies on olive cultivation, livestock farming, agriculture and tourism.

Mining and the region’s future

TÜMAD’s capacity expansion project highlights the need to assess the environmental and economic consequences of mining activities on Mount Madra in tandem. The expansion of forest areas, the use of water resources and waste management are among the key issues determining the project’s long-term impacts.

The protection of Mount Madra and the surrounding natural areas is important not only for the forest ecosystem but also for the future of the local population’s agricultural production opportunities and water resources. The independent monitoring of the effects of the capacity expansion, the oversight of the implementation of environmental commitments, and the consideration of the local population’s concerns in decision-making processes are among the key topics for discussion in the coming period.