PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
The project activities will be carried out within the licensed areas numbered 201900265 and 202201688. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Area, defined within these licenses, covers 276.93 hectares. The 201900265 license area, where the main project operations will take place, spans 1,439.57 hectares, while the 202201688 license area covers 284.95 hectares, bringing the total project area to 1,724.52 hectares.
The licensed project area is located 23 km from the center of Balıkesir, within the Balya and Karesi districts. The nearest settlements are Karlık (0.1 km) and Söbücealan (0.4 km) neighborhoods, which are defined in the EIA report as part of the first-degree impact zone, with approximately 55 households and 135 residents.
The annual ore processing capacity of the mine is planned to be 500,000 tons, with a total processed ore volume of 3,026,000 tons throughout the project life. This is expected to yield approximately 500,000 ounces (15.5 tons) of gold and 1,200,000 ounces (37.3 tons) of silver.
The total investment value of the project will reach approximately 3.865 billion TRY. Through the Karlık Project, with an annual gold production of 1.6 tons, an estimated USD 250 million contribution to reducing Türkiye’s current account deficit is anticipated each year.
The total project lifespan, including construction, production, and rehabilitation phases, is estimated at approximately 15 years, with the production phase planned for 10 years. During the project, two underground mines and one open-pit mine will be developed.
Rehabilitation activities will be planned and implemented concurrently with mining operations. In this way, affected areas will be gradually restored to nature throughout the operation period. The final three years of the project’s lifespan will focus on intensive rehabilitation works, ensuring complete reclamation. As part of the overall rehabilitation plan, we commit to a fivefold replanting ratio compared to the areas impacted by mining operations.
PROJECT PRIORITIES
Mines must be developed where the resources naturally exist — their location cannot be changed.
We view the environment and mining as an integrated whole, embracing environmentally responsible and sustainable mining practices.
We operate based on feasibility studies prepared to international standards.
Our foremost priorities in all mining operations are occupational safety and environmental protection.
For mining activities carried out within forest areas, the temporarily used zones will be rehabilitated in accordance with the rehabilitation plan approved by the General Directorate of Forestry.
We are committed to restoring the mining area to its natural state and protecting local flora and fauna.
All activities within the mining site are designed to avoid any adverse impact on the environment and on livestock farming, which is the main livelihood of the region.
MINING PROCESS
World-class technology will be utilized in the project. Mining operations will be conducted with the utmost sensitivity to the environment, extracting resources in a responsible manner to contribute to both the regional and national economy.
In our project, the ore will be extracted using both open-pit and underground mining methods. Subsequently, crushing, grinding, and tank leaching processes will be applied. All these stages will be carried out in full compliance with international environmental protection standards.
Since the tank leaching production method will be used for gold recovery, the process will be implemented in a completely contained system, ensuring no contact with air, water, or soil, and posing no risk to human health or the environment.
The Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) will be constructed to international impermeability standards and will operate under a zero-discharge principle. Waste generated after production will be safely stored in a purpose-built tailings storage facility, designed to protect the environment.
The bottom of the facility will be lined with impermeable HDPE membranes and clay layers, preventing any leakage of process water into the soil or groundwater. A drainage system installed beneath the facility will allow for continuous monitoring, and observation wells placed around the site will enable regular groundwater assessments and rapid intervention when necessary.
Through these systems—designed in accordance with international best practices—our aim is to protect the region’s natural environment, water resources, and human health throughout the entire operation.