SILVER MINES BUSINESS IN ZARA (KOÇGİRİ) DISTRICTS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS FROM THE OTTOMAN STATE TO PRESENT

Abstract

Mining activities play a very important role in the historical development of human beings and society. It is known that almost everything we use today uses products obtained as a result of these activities.The purpose of this study is to examine the activities, working conditions, management methods, quality of extracted minerals and working conditions of silver mines operated in Zara and its vicinity during the Ottoman period in a chronological manner.Why the operation of these mines ended and whether they have any economic value today are also important research questions.In the studies conducted in the Presidency Ottoman Archives, 19 different documents and their annexes were reached, 13 of which were included in the study.In this study, where the document analysis method was used, the findings obtained were evaluated and it was concluded that it would be beneficial to conduct theoretical studies and field research on these and similar minerals.