Yerel halkın gözünden Bigadiç’teki (Balıkesir) bor madeni işletmeciliğinin neden olduğu sorunlar

Abstract

Türkiye’s geological history has made the country one of the rich and significant nations in terms of mining activities. The economic returns generated from these activities also contribute significantly to the country’s economy. On the other hand, the impact of mining activities on the local area must also be addressed. The research in question focuses on the economic returns of a mining operation, as well as its relationship with the local community. The aim of the study is to reveal the socio-economic and environmental effects of mining activities on the local people in the neighborhoods of Yeniköy, İskeleköy, and Çamköy, located near the boron mine operation site in the Bigadiç district of Balıkesir, from the perspective of the local community. The settlements around the boron mine operation site in the district have started to be affected by boron extraction activities in various ways. Through observations and semi-structured interviews with the local people, categories for these impacts have been identified. These categories have been analyzed using the MAXQDA software. As a result, it can be said that boron mining operations in Bigadiç have profoundly affected the local population’s way of life. Environmental problems, economic difficulties, and management shortcomings have increased the public’s concerns about these activities. Taking the local community’s views into account during the boron mining process is critical for solving environmental and socio-economic issues. A participatory management model should be adopted, and the local community should be involved in the process.Türkiye’s geological history has made the country one of the rich and significant nations in terms of mining activities. The economic returns generated from these activities also contribute significantly to the country’s economy. On the other hand, the impact of mining activities on the local area must also be addressed. The research in question focuses on the economic returns of a mining operation, as well as its relationship with the local community. The aim of the study is to reveal the socio-economic and environmental effects of mining activities on the local people in the neighborhoods of Yeniköy, İskeleköy, and Çamköy, located near the boron mine operation site in the Bigadiç district of Balıkesir, from the perspective of the local community. The settlements around the boron mine operation site in the district have started to be affected by boron extraction activities in various ways. Through observations and semi-structured interviews with the local people, categories for these impacts have been identified. These categories have been analyzed using the MAXQDA software. As a result, it can be said that boron mining operations in Bigadiç have profoundly affected the local population’s way of life. Environmental problems, economic difficulties, and management shortcomings have increased the public’s concerns about these activities. Taking the local community’s views into account during the boron mining process is critical for solving environmental and socio-economic issues. A participatory management model should be adopted, and the local community should be involved in the process.