Nature Rehabilitation Project by Işık Mining Company
Işık Mining Company started their first projects in November 2023, stating that their work was carried out on a 65-hectare area. Emphasizing the vastness of the area, Işık mentioned that it corresponds to the size of 91 football fields. Planning to start a new phase at the end of this year, they aim to reforest an additional 511 hectares by 2025, reaching a total of 576 hectares. Their goal for 2032 is to reach a size of around 1360 hectares.
Collaboration with the Turkish Society for the Protection of Nature
In rehabilitation efforts, Işık highlighted the importance of independent monitoring by stating, “We have partnered with the Turkish Society for the Protection of Nature to monitor, guide, and report our work. The association transparently monitors and reports the work we do on behalf of our stakeholders.”
Sharing Products from the Karacaağaç Olive Grove with the Local Community
As part of the rehabilitation activities, Işık mentioned that they planted over 22,000 olive trees in the old mining area in Karacaağaç. He explained, “We take care of all the olive trees we planted for rehabilitation and engage in harvesting activities with the local community. The olives and olive oil produced here are shared with the public entirely outside of commercial purposes.”
In the upcoming phase of rehabilitation starting at the end of this year, Işık emphasized their plans to implement innovative practices. Due to the high altitudes of the mining areas, they will distribute seeds with the participation of local residents using drones to facilitate tree planting activities in the region.