TURKIYE

Revitalizing The Çöllolar Coalfield: Technical, Economic, And Safety Challenges – OpEd

Turkey's Çöllolar open-pit coalfield after the February 10, 2011 landslide. Photo Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

 July 29, 2025 

By Haluk Direskeneli

Once a key supplier of lignite to Turkey’s Afşin–Elbistan B Thermal Power Plant, the Çöllolar open-pit coalfield in Kahramanmaraş was shut down after two catastrophic landslides in 2011.

Now, after years of legal, technical, and environmental assessments, the site has been transferred to state ownership and is undergoing rehabilitation. This article summarizes the recent technical progress, ownership transition, and plans to restart production.

History and the Landslide Disaster

The Çöllolar lignite mine was initially operated by Park Teknik, a subsidiary of the Ciner Group, under a coal production agreement with the Turkish state. However, in February 2011, two massive landslides engulfed mining equipment and claimed multiple lives, forcing operations to cease entirely[^1].

Importantly, the Ciner Group never fully owned the mining license; it operated under a coal production contract. After the landslides, the project was abandoned, and a lengthy legal and technical reassessment period began.

Ownership and Institutional Transfer

Nearly a decade after operations halted, the ownership and operating model of the mine underwent significant change. In October 2021, Park Teknik officially transferred the site to Electricity Generation Company (EÜAŞ). In March 2022, EÜAŞ handed over the site to Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKİ). Today, the mine is fully owned and operated by TKİ through its Afşin–Elbistan Lignite Operations Directorate[^2].

Technical Rehabilitation Efforts

Extensive technical work is underway to ensure that mining operations can resume safely:

• Over 1,000 drainage wells have been drilled to reduce underground water levels and stabilize pit slopes.

• Large-scale overburden removal (decapage) and geotechnical projects have been planned and partially tendered.

• More than 1 billion Turkish Lira (approx. $35 million USD) has been earmarked for initial investments and equipment procurement[^3].

Given the karstic geological structure of the region, dewatering operations must be conducted with precision and constantly monitored. Comprehensive application of geosciences is also essential to manage the unknown subsurface risks.

Production and Supply Plans

When operational, the revitalized mine is expected to:

• Produce approximately 17–17.5 million metric tons of lignite per year,

• Supply coal to the 1,440 MW Afşin–Elbistan B Thermal Power Plant,

• Employ around 1,000 workers at full capacity[^4].

As of mid-2025, full-scale production has yet to commence, but coal shipments are expected to begin within the year.

Challenges and Outlook

Key challenges facing the project include:

• Ensuring long-term slope stability in a geologically complex and previously unstable area,

• Meeting environmental obligations, including dust control, water management, and land rehabilitation,

• Managing the large-scale logistics required for continuous coal delivery to the power plant.

Despite these challenges, the Turkish government considers the Çöllolar field a strategic asset in reducing dependency on imported coal. Its reactivation represents a case study in balancing energy security, economic necessity, and operational safety.

Looking forward, the sustainable future of the mine will require transparent reporting, scientific oversight, and disciplined operational planning.

Footnotes

[^1]: “Çöllolar’da ikinci göçük: 1 kişi öldü, 11 kişi kayıp”, NTV Haber, 11 February 2011.

[^2]: “Park Teknik, Çöllolar Sahası’nı EÜAŞ’a devretti”, Enerji Günlüğü, 15 October 2021.

[^3]: TKİ 2023 Faaliyet Raporu, Türkiye Kömür İşletmeleri Genel Müdürlüğü.

[^4]: “Afşin–Elbistan Termik Santrali için linyit üretim hedefi”, T.C. Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanlığı, 2024 Resmi Açıklaması.

Haluk Direskeneli

Haluk Direskeneli, is a graduate of METU Mechanical Engineering department (1973). He worked in public, private enterprises, USA Turkish JV companies (B&W, CSWI, AEP, Entergy), in fabrication, basic and detail design, marketing, sales and project management of thermal power plants. He is currently working as freelance consultant/ energy analyst with thermal power plants basic/ detail design software expertise for private engineering companies, investors, universities and research institutions. He is a member of Chamber of Turkish Mechanical Engineers Energy Working Group.