Hekimhan residents protest planned mining activities

Protests erupted in the Hekimhan district of Malatya as local residents gathered to oppose planned mining activities in the region. The demonstrators blocked a meeting intended to be held by company representatives and notary officials, demanding that the officials leave the area.

Citizens expressed concerns regarding the potential damage to soil, water resources, agricultural lands, forests, and local wildlife. Using the slogan “Hekimhan should not be İliç,” protesters emphasized that the preservation of life above the ground is more valuable than the minerals beneath it.

The tension required intervention from the Hekimhan District Gendarmerie Command, who provided security measures and worked to calm the parties involved. Following the expiration of the scheduled meeting time, company representatives and notary officials departed the area. The protest received support from various local organizations, including the Malatya branch of the Atatürkist Thought Association, the Hekimhan Mukhtars Association, and representatives from the Sol Party.