Turkish Mother and Daughter Lead Resistance Against Expanding Coal Mine
Local activists fight to save their village from industrial coal mining expansion in Turkey.
1The Pit of Hell
Nejla Isik, a 48-year-old activist, describes the coal mine near Milas as a pit of hell. For nearly a decade, she and her daughter Esra have led local resistance against YK Enerji. The company seeks to expand its lignite mine, which threatens to destroy the remaining Akbelen forest and surrounding villages.
2Generational Displacement Crisis
The Isik family has faced displacement for three generations due to mining projects in Mugla province. Esra Isik, 26, notes that her grandmother’s and father’s villages were already wiped off the map. This history of land loss fuels their current determination to protect their remaining homes from further industrial encroachment and destruction.
3Legal Battles and Arrests
Activists have filed multiple lawsuits against YK Enerji and the Turkish presidency regarding emergency expropriation decrees. In March 2026, authorities arrested Esra Isik for allegedly obstructing officials during a protest. She spent 42 days in jail, an event that brought international attention to the environmental struggle occurring within the rural Turkish landscape.
4COP31 Climate Paradox
As Turkey hosts the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, the government promotes renewable energy initiatives. However, activists like the Isiks remain in their villages to defend their land. They argue that attending the summit is futile while their homes face immediate destruction, highlighting a stark contrast between official policy and local reality.
5Government and Corporate Stance
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the government privatized the plants in 2014, granting 49-year licenses that cannot be easily revoked. YK Enerji, owned by Limak and IC Holding, claims the mine is essential for national energy security. They promise to replace trees and provide alternative plots to those affected by the expansion.
6Economic Divide in Villages
The mining project creates a deep divide among local residents. While some villagers protest the environmental damage, others rely on the thermal power plants for their livelihoods. One worker noted that the plant provides jobs for 70% of his village, illustrating the complex tension between economic necessity and long-term environmental sustainability.
7Expanding Mining Permits
A 2025 law has accelerated the issuance of mining permits across Turkey, including in protected olive-growing regions. This legislative shift allows for the exploitation of land previously considered off-limits. Residents fear that this policy will lead to the total loss of their agricultural heritage, gravesites, and essential local infrastructure like schools.
8Future of Local Resistance
Despite court rejections of their appeals, the villagers of Ikizkoy continue to organize and discuss their next steps. The struggle represents a broader conflict between industrial energy demands and the rights of rural communities. As the mine continues to advance, the residents remain committed to protecting their land from total destruction.