Breadwinners: How the Gacer Café Empowers Women in Türkiye

2023 was another successful year for the Women Producers Development Project. Born out of collaboration between the Develi District Governorship, Develi Municipality, and Öksüt Madencilik, this initiative is dedicated to uplifting women producers across the region.

Centerra’s support for affected communities post-closure extends beyond environmental reclamation. Although social aspects of mine closure usually receive little attention, they are integral to our Öksüt operational strategy. To ensure a satisfactory living standard for local communities, it is crucial to implement long-term social projects.

Taking local conditions and needs of the community into account is a central theme of Öksüt’s corporate social responsibility. At its core, the project is a sanctuary for women artisans and entrepreneurs, offering a platform to showcase their talents and crafts. Launched with 10 people making dolls, the project has doubled in size and embraces a new culinary endeavour of making baked goods and Turkish dumplings to monetize skills they have honed at home.

The initiative is a great example of inclusion and empowerment for women in rural communities and harnessing mining as a force for positive change that puts people first.