SSR Mining (NASDAQ:SSRM) revealed Sunday that Turkey’s government has rescinded the Copler gold mine’s environmental permit, leaving the mine suspended until further notice. This response follows a recent landslide that resulted in nine workers being reported missing.
The company disclosed that several staff members are now grappling with charges stemming from the incident. Turkey’s Interior Minister cited a dislodgement of 10M cubic meters of earth across a 200-meter slope.
While the Turkish Ministry of the Environment’s tests of the region’s surface water, groundwater, and soil showed no contamination, SSR Mining (SSRM) had projected about 220,000 ounces of gold production at Copler this year – roughly half of the company’s expected global output. SSR Mining holds an 80% interest in the mine.