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Renowned historian Professor Ilber Ortayli has voiced strong opposition to ongoing gold mining operations on Mount Ida, or Mount Kaz, calling the exploitation of natural reserves a short-sighted and damaging venture.
In a piece penned for Turkish publication Hurriyet on May 4, Ortayli criticized mining efforts that he says disregard both the environment and the long-term prosperity of the nation.
"Everyone knows that Türkiye is limited in overall resources but rich in mineral diversity," wrote Ortayli. "Yes, if you search, you will find all kinds of resources, but most, especially coal, are not viable for sustainable economic growth."
He argued that the so-called gold reserves do not promise lasting wealth, adding:, "Even the uneducated, the educated, we scholars, and the self-proclaimed 'businessmen' all know this. Yet Mount Ida is being plundered."
Ortayli pointed out that while olive groves stretch to the sea above, mining fields below are being seized against the will of local communities, who continue to resist through protests.
In his critique, Ortayli emphasized that Türkiye's true wealth lies in cultivating and protecting its surface land. "The Turkish nation becomes richer by managing and preserving the land above ground," he stated.
Warning against the ongoing depopulation of rural areas, he urged authorities to take legal action to reverse this trend.
"We must stop the emptying of villages. A new social structure must be established, starting with the family unit and supported by legal regulations."
He also proposed accepting immigrants from Central Asian countries who could contribute to agricultural sustainability and population balance. "If we don't take these steps, the outcome is clear," he cautioned.
Refuting the idea that mining could lead to economic salvation, Ortayli declared, "You cannot expect vast wealth from Türkiye’s mines. This is a continent rich in diversity but poor in resource abundance."
"Türkiye is not a land of infinite resources," he concluded, "but it is strong enough to educate smart people."
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