A Case Study of Cyanide Gold Mining: The İliç Landslide Analysis from the Perspective of Ecocide and International Law

This study evaluates the incident associated with cyanide gold mining, and the ecological disasters that have occurred and/or may arise as a consequence, analyzed through the lens of international law and in terms of cross-border regulations. This evaluation will consider the inclination of international public opinion to characterize ecocide as an international and universal crime, particularly in recent years. This perspective examines the potential for preventing cyanide gold mining activities through international legal regulations concerning ecocide and ecocide crimes. It analyzes the disaster resulting from the 2024 inicdent at the cyanide gold mining site in İliç, Erzincan/Türkiye. This discussion explores the potential for international liability arising from aggressive, risky, and hazardous mining activities. Cyanide gold mining poses significant risks to the planet and its ecosystems, underscoring the necessity for robust environmental protection regulations. The definition and acceptance of ecocide as a universal crime has emerged as a significant phenomenon in this context.