PROCEEDING OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

AND THE CASE OF CYPRUS MINES

TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS LEFKE GEMIKONAĞI

CMC (CYPRUS MINE COMPANY) AND ENVIRONMENTAL ELATIONS

Ümİt ERDEM, Bahar ZAFER, Bahrİye GÜLGÜN

AND Okan YILMAZ

Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey

ABSTRACT

The mining area in Lefke-Gemi Konağı, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus where the mining works had been started by CMC in 1913, produced primarily copper at the beginning and later secondary products like copper sulfate (CuSO₄), hydro sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and gold was produced by cyanide leaching method. Unfortunately, these mining processes left the area as a threat for Eastern Mediterranean after the American company left the region.

The area is classified as a noticeable coastal ecosystem but sadly the high amounts of arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium and selenium in the environment are surprisingly noticeable in the aspect of human health. When Lefke is examined historically, agriculture reduced and the soil lost its abundance as soon as mining started. Even though the mentioned company had promised re-cultivation and recreation. It didn't keep its promises, so problems increased and expanded because the pollution in water, air and soil effected the biodiversity, water-soil balance was effected, apart from agricultural productions of olive, citrus and carobs, many historical values like Vuni Palace and ruins of Soli encountered the danger of vanishing.  

INTRODUCTION

Copper production processes are given start by an United States of America (USA) company (CMC company ) since 1913 in the mentioned region. Production of cupper as a primary product, and the later secondary productions like CuSO4 (Cupper sulfate), H2SO4 (Hydrosulfuric acid) and gold by cyanide leaching method were the activities came out to be out of control system which caused ongoing international wide environmental problems. The company is observed to abandone the process area under the pretext of Turkish Peace Operation by 1974, beside their prior promises for recultivation . The region is an important coastal ecosystem. Referring to various research reports declared, unfortunately arsenic, barium, cadmium, and selenium are found out to be high in amounts, at the region.

By a comparative consideration of changes in local peoples life since 1913 when the mine activity is given start, we find out  that as the mine activites have progressed local agriculture got in regression, production of citrus fruits (as the mayor one) is decreased likewise the grape production in Baglikoy (4).

Production of cupper, with a history of 5000 years at the region would be the fate of Cyprus. The region is in Trodos, Magmatic complex where we see the iron, pyrite and cupper (calcopyrite), sulfuric gem, in Trodos pads. In this long history, the name of the island finally took place in the literature after the terms Cyprium, Cuprum and finally as “Cyprus”. For such a basic reason the locals of the island do still use the name “Kıprıs” than “Kıbrıs” in Turkish. Thus Cyprus is also an archeologically cupper ore strata. Sulfuric gem in the region is  in forms of pyrite,calcopyrite,marcasit, sfalarid, galen,bornit, zinc and sulfur lairs. These lairs often exist at the base or upper parts of the lava pads in efficient volcanic status.

The sulfur mineralization in the region is formed by the abilites of thermal loaded fluids  (hydrothermal) at the bottom parts of the ocean. Sources of pollutants that have threatened the livelihood of soil, vegetation, ground water and sea have been the crude gem reservoirs  -  an uncovered one at Lefke, and a covered one at Karadağ -  and chemical wastes, accumulated wastes, wastes of gold process with cyanide, major wastes of copper flotation plants, waste pools with pyrite consisting 25-30 % sulfur at Gemikonağı harbour in the region of  Karadağ, south west of Lefke.

In our observations at Gemikonagi puddle where constructed over Maden Stream as a soil filled dam, we conclude that iron, sulfur of cupper and “trailings” carried by surface waters will form acidic environment in drinking and irrigation waters  due condensation of heavy metals (4).

Lefke-Gemikonagi gem plantation is profoundly operated by CMC since 1913. But after all, the company has proposed the Turkish Peace Operation as an excuse and abandoned the area in status of  “valley of death” with all the wastes left back by 1974 (Figure 2).

Current condition is a typical sample for environmental destruction and a deadly strike on ecological balance. For this reason the area should be taken in consideration in current status as an open laboratory sample for environmentalists and whom care for their future life. Referring to our observations on the local pollution levels after the mine process activities, there we found four distinctive levels of status from sea level up to mountains. These are;

1.  Wastes of gold having the possibility of consisting in cyanide at the entrance area of Gemikonagi plantations,

2.    Wastes of cupper flotation at the entrance areas of  Gemikonagi plantations,

3.    Waste pools consisting in condensed pyrite mineral having 30% sulfur in, separated to uprising 6 branches of waste pools.

4.    Cupper accumulations and also wastes of trailing in apparent streams at Karadağ region due to mine production extractions.

Figure 1. Location of Cyprus in east Mediterranean – Location of Lefke in Cyprus

Figure 2 CMC Gemikonagi Gem Production Plant and Surrounding ( 2).

Analyses covered with water samples indicate the acid leakage to marine environment in important amounts. Unfortunately these values given above, exceed the acceptable value levels of environmental health. There by, a point should be indicated that the conduction ability of seawater is high due to salinity of seawater. Thus if water samples could be taken in analyse in fresher form, current values in hand to be found at higher values would be an aspect of a research.

According to analyse results, iron element in soils are in high amounts and could be found up to concentrations of  6.1%. The washed out surface soils and condensation of iron element in mine plantation could explain the reason of rather high amount of iron element found in under surface horizons. Distribution of iron in this kind of soil formation is mainly found to be in between the levels of 2.00-3.50 %. Prior studies covered at mine wastes, the highest datum is valued to be 14.77 %. Cupper to be found in between amounts of 5-150 ppm. is determined to be  very high in amounts in  analysed soil thus there is a definite accumulation of cupper in soil or in another words there is a cupper pollution.          

Dispersion limits of manganese element in this type of soil should be 200-600 ppm. where it is higher in inspected soils. Zinc element is found to be slight in amounts in nature where average value is 50 ppm. but the values could reach up to 300ppm. Lithosphere dispersal of cadmium element average is 0.1ppm., and could be 0.5 ppm at the upper layer. Although this element is found out to be  low in amounts in the waste accumulations, it is still one of the most risky and endangering element for human, fauna and flora life. Soils indicate over value for cobalt referring the analyses of surface soils with 15ppm value.

Average value for lead element in lithosphere is 16.0 ppm. Calculated values for iron element at these soil are over this value reaching to level of 45 ppm. at surface soils as a proof for the accumulation of lead. Lead is hold by the intense organic formations in soil. Likewise in prior research studies by the same researchers it is encountered that values for lead could reach up to 82.75 ppm in some of the waste pools.

Crom element likewise lead, became dense in surface soil as these kind of elements do accumulate in soils of forest leftovers or humus. Relative to this interaction, values increase up to 25.90 ppm at surface layers where as decrease down to 1.30 ppm at undersurface layers. Dispersal of aluminium is found out to be in 1-6 ppm. lithosphere average levels. Lowest value, 01.8 ppm. for aluminium is found at undersurface layers. The reason for this low value could be explained due to the % density of sand set and % CaCO3 reaching up to 35.72ppm. and 35.83 ppm. of high values. We know that amount of aluminium decrease in the regions where values for limestone is high (1).

Lefke Cupper Mine mud pools are primitive in structure and threatening for public health. Amount of waste is in high emission level covering a very wide area. It is determined that the waste mud, irrigation waters, garden soils, leaves of fruit and vegetable do consist high amounts of carcinogen heavy metals. The region is contaminated. There exists a chronic exposure that will cause cancer and /or systemic diseases for local people whom do inhabit for long terms, consuming the water, fruit, vegetable, meat and milk of the region (3).

Material and Method

The basic method for determining the land use decision which is survey, analysis and evaluation been used in this work. Plan-square and matrix methods are used with some given examples.

Soil and water analyses are realized in Soil Department Laboratory by Altınbaş, Ü. (1), physical, chemical and heavy metal analyses completed with these samples within the principles defined in the nearby presented literature (Slavin, 1968; Merck, 1973; Chen, 1991).

Result and Discussion

Production of gold is a very popular agenda of the day. There we encounter many companies and firms planning gold production activities by mining operations. Cyprus aspect is rather apart of this attitude. The problem in here is that the mine given start operating by 1913 to be left back in wrong timing, without planning and consciousness. The problem is derived from the preconditions of those times, permitting this kind of an activity without any obligation for environmental assessment. Today it is known in common that there is the fact of Environmental Effects Assessment put emphasis on at international level. That is, what we tried to adapt into application though from reverse phase. It is because that the issue is not solely a Cyprus problem. East Mediterranean is under a threat. Mediterranean, south of Europe, north coastlines of Africa are under danger.

Thus;

A) Current status of environmental conditions should be determined and B) Precautions for probable effects of the SLEEPING  or already AWAKE GIANT should be cleared out. “ Current Status of Environment Investigation” is an evaluation study of information and knowledge database for further studies on the subject and the region. The database will be used for Recultivation and Rehabilitation applications. The study should cover meteorologic, geologic, hydrogeologic, hydrologic, mine beds, soil specifications, forest-landscape-recreation- flora fauna of protected areas, current pollution load, Socio-culture and  Socio-economy data and such kind of specifications. Specialist groups, individuals that have covered research activities in certain times, gathered and inquired knowledge on the issue and related literature material are the most important sources of information for this study.

There should be an alternative effort to be put on land use potential and protected areas. Such kind of sample study could be progressed as follows:

The current status of mentioned area should be determined with the help of the examinations of 1/25.000 scaled area, 1/ 10.000 scaled Cadastral, 1/5.000 and 1/1000 scaled Gemikonagi project, 1/25.000 scaled topographical maps. Potential of the field as a protected natural area should be determined as a prior activity. To define the status of nature protection areas and priorities of conservation, “Natural Protection Area Assessment Form” (Table1) (6) should be used for evaluation.

The method used for this aim is known as the “grid  method” used for many kind of aims in Land Scape Planning. Grids to refer 100m*100m land squares in the boarders of the study area would be convenient for objectivity in field analyses. Every square as one unit will be evaluated in itself accordingly to “Natural Protection Area Assessment Form”. And potential sources determined in per unit could be valued over (%) percentages to define the conservation priorities.

It is possible that all single source titles given by  “Natural Protection Area Assessment Form” would not be available in every area. For this reason available sources in the field would be taken in consideration but the alter stated but non-existing ones wouldn’t. Criteria’s should be scored to match total “100” point for the ease of evaluation. As a principle, unavailable source values should be added to available ones to be valued over score 100 (Table 2). 

Field observation outcomes and maps are important reference guides for studies on the available source potential of the area. In assessment of hydrological specifications as natural source, solely the current stream beds are taken in consideration for mayor source of evaluation and scores of alter specifications should be added on its score value (Table 3).

Table 1. “Natural Protection Area Assessment Form” ( DP : Evaluation Score  EP : Added Scores ) (6)

Table 2 .“Natural Protection Area Assessment Form” and for Research Area Specifications “Natural Status Assessment Criteria’s and Scores” as a sampling (6)

(A) NATURAL RESOURCES

(B) CALTURAL RESOURCES (25 Points)

(C) RECREATIONAL RESOURCES (20 Points)

(D)  EDUCATION, INSTRUCTION AND RESEARCH AREAS  (10 points)

(D) NEGATIVE EFFECTS  (Discarded out )

Table 3. Scores Representing the Research Area Priorities of Conservation, as a sampling (6)

The same situation’s distribution to squares, in a sample area, at Figure 3, is presented. Likewise at Gemikonagi the same method must be considered for each square unit in further studies and analyse of all risks.

Biosphere reserves comprehends the ecosystems of unique populations, areas of spectacular natural values and ecosystems that are changed or fragmented as samples of land scapes relative to traditional land use but which do still present the chance for natural rehabilitation. Biogenetic rezerves are areas where we find a rich gene diversity of fauna and flora. These areas should be large in dimensions to be convenient for effective protection. Gemikonagi has the dimensions to be such an area.

Although criterias of International Specially Protected Areas are not given in a fullproof definition of law, they are areas of ecological importance, delicate to environmental fragmentation and deterioration under the stress and threat of dense pollution. These areas are boardered and assessed accordingly to carry their natural and historical heritage to new human  generations. That’s why organizations on world should adopt the subject, in haste. (6)

Beside all, nature or environment protection areas should occupy fields of traditional landuse samples. Nature protection areas do have all status of  protection where Natural SIT is among.  Areas of natural SIT do have the specifications of being originally natural ( the level of being anthropogenic affects-free), entire (an unfragmented habitat), large (entirety of habitat where the natural values are a part), estetic, typical, representative and other.

Figure 3 Conservation and Progression Priorities Distribution in Squares,  as a sample (6)

Also in many countries, SIT status is vital for protecting natural areas under the management responsibilities of local administrations where  the area could exist nearby of secondary house investments and /or intense constructional use.  The subject should be paid attention considering the settlement and location, nearby and far environment of the area.

Conclusion

In frame of all these ideas and thoughts, Gemikonagi, Recultivation and Rehabilitation operations should be given start immediately. The reason for this is, Gemikonagi CMC wastes, to be concluded as the biggest environmental problem of world, are a prior issue of law.The subject must be called for attention of international law committees. Although the issues of Cyprus press are proactivites specific to Lefke, the subject is an international one. The threat of the issue comprehends East Mediterranean countries; Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, Greece, Italy and Central Mediterranean countries. An important point here is that, this subject directly affective on human life shouldn’t  be handled or specified by a structural or political attitude. It is determined by previous research studies covered before the Turkish researcher’s that there is a very big problem of heavy metals like arsenic, baryum accumulation in Eastern Mediterranean. Without a “Risk Analyse” there shouldn’t be any agricultural activity, water consumption, cattle feed and the most important, entrance to the area (4).

Research studies show that beside all findings the pollution area is much wider than the declarations. The waste area declared to cover 2000 acres is determined to be much bigger than this total. Management of water foundations is a very critical point at this phase as these waters if not directed properly do carry the wastes to drinking and all kind of consumed waters and sea. Considering this situation in the basin, underground and surface waters should be handled accordingly.As mentioned before, beside the 2000 acres danger area, the surrounding environment do also present a big threat. According to Prof.Dr.H.G.BARTH’s determinations

such kind of an area in need of  rehabilitation in Germany, would require a cost of at least 500.000 $ . (4). It is definite reality that there is a heavy metal pollution of arsenic, barium, cadmium in Eastern Mediterranean, thus the region should be rehabilitated as soon as possible. Area, affected from the mine company activities should be accepted to cover 500 km². In the observations it is determined that there exists 8 million tons of waste in the area.

If to revise, the problem is a regional one, concerning the Mediterranean countries. That’s why there is need for a global approach. The responsibilities for solutions shouldn’t be devoted solely to Cyprus. Including United States of America, representatives of related countries should be gathered, in a concerned council. The council should define the progress, management, and finalisation procedure of the required processes within scientific and legal dimensions. The ethic, also requires this cooperation. Not to be forgotten that the science doesn’t have a nationality and it is universal. And it could only be possible to achieve realistic and practical solutions by activating the legal branches. As the nationality of environmental problems is the whole world, any world individual has got right on this entirety and for law.

References

1) ALTINBAŞ,Ü., 1999: "Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti Lefke-Gemikonağı, CMC Bakır Madeni İşletmeciliğinin Doğal Kaynak Olan Toprak, Su ve Bitki Çeşitliliği Üzerine Çevresel Etkileri" E.Ü. Çevre Sorunları Uygulama Ve Araştırma Merkezi, BORNOVA- İZMİR.

2) BILDIR,E., 2000: "Bakır" Lefke ve Yöresinin Sesi, Çevre ve Tanıtma  Derneği Yayın Organı, Lefke-KIBRIS.

3) DOĞAN,F., 1999: "Kıbrıs Lefke Bölgesindeki Bakır Madeni Atık Alanlarının Yarattığı Çevre Sorunları ve Halk Sağlığı İlişkisi"  E.Ü. Çevre Sorunları Uygulama Ve Araştırma Merkezi, BORNOVA- İZMİR.

4)ERDEM,Ü., 1999: "Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti Lefke-Gemikonağı, CMC Madencilik Şirketi Tarafından Yaratılan Çevre Sorunu Ön Raporu" E.Ü. Çevre Sorunları Uygulama Ve Araştırma Merkezi, BORNOVA- İZMİR.

5) ÖZGÜRÜN,A., AKGÜL,E., 2000: Gemikonağı ve Kıbrıs Maden