Environmental Measurements

Environmental Measurements

Measurements are carried out by the Environment and Sustainability Departments at the operations in accordance with EIA Report commitments and relevant regulations, monitored at regular intervals, and recorded. The routine measurements performed at the operations are summarized below;

1. Dust Control

Dust emissions that may occur in mining operations are continuously kept under control using various control methods, and their effects on the environment are examined through modeling and measurement. Operations continue in compliance with the dust emission limit values specified in the Air Quality Assessment and Management Regulation and the Industrial Air Pollution Control Regulation. To ensure this, particulate matter (PM) and deposited dust measurements are regularly carried out at the points specified in the EIA Report commitments. PM concentrations of 10 µm and below are measured hourly with automatic beta-ray type measurement devices. Deposited dust is measured as monthly totals using dust buckets. In addition, water spraying method is applied to reduce PM emissions that may occur in the open pit before and after blasting. Water sprays are used to suppress PM that may occur at the ore discharge point of the crusher unit. Additionally, there is a dust collection unit in the crusher area of the facility. With these control methods, particulate matter emissions in the mine site are prevented from exceeding the limit values set by regulations. Some of the roads at the operations are paved with asphalt, and areas where asphalt cannot be laid are continuously sprayed with water tankers.

2. Noise Control

For noise control, operations at the mines of Turk Altin Isletmeleri comply with the Environmental Noise Control Regulation. Environmental noise-vibration values are measured daily and recorded. At the same time, noise-vibration measurements are taken at regular intervals at the points committed in the EIA Report in the nearest settlements to the mine site. Measurement results are regularly reported every month.

3. Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) Gas Control

In order to prevent the formation of HCN gas that may arise from process sources such as leaching, precipitation, and desorption units depending on the ambient pH, and to keep the gold/silver recovery percentage at the optimum level, the ambient pH in these units is maintained above 10. A sufficient number of HCN gas measurement detectors are available at the mine sites for possible HCN gas measurement. Regular measurements are carried out with these devices, either fixed or mobile, on leach tanks, around the facility, tailings dams, and heap leach areas. The devices have two-stage alarm limits of 5 ppm and 10 ppm.

4. Tailings Storage Facility Measurements

A chemical destruction facility has been established for the destruction of waste generated from the process. This facility consists of the following units: 1- Cyanide destruction with INCO SO2/Air process, 2- Heavy metal stabilization with ferric sulfate process, 3- Hypochlorite destruction for in-plant spills and cyanates. Chemically destroyed process waste is finally stored in Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) for natural degradation. Cyanide and heavy metal measurements are carried out daily at three points in the TSF: From the chemical destruction unit outlet, From a point before discharge to tailings storage facility, From the water recycled from the TSF back to the facility. Tailings Storage Facilities and Heap Leach Areas are operated within the framework of the Environmental License obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

5. Groundwater and Surface Water Monitoring

In order to determine the water quality and effects in and around the impact area of the operations, regular water level and water quality measurements from groundwater and surface waters are carried out monthly by accredited laboratory companies and evaluated according to regulations.

6. Water Inflow Control

In cases where underground mines and open pits at our operations are below the groundwater table, water drainage occurs from fractures and fault zones into the underground and open pit during production. Water from underground and open pit mines is collected in staged retention ponds, and after meeting the discharge standards to the receiving environment according to the Water Pollution Control Regulation, it is discharged to the stream based on the discharge permit. Samples are taken from the discharge point and analyzed monthly.

7. Meteorological Measurements

There is an automatic meteorological observation station established and operated for the clear determination of possible meteorological effects on the water balance controlled throughout the process and for proper planning. The station, which takes automatic measurements 24 hours a day, measures temperature (max., min., avg.), precipitation amount, max. wind direction, speed, time, humidity, average air pressure, evaporation, sunshine duration, etc.