URANIUM FIELD EXPLOITATION IN ARMENIA WILL BE SAFE, SAYS EXPERT
Tert.am
29.07.10
The Armenian-Russian joint enterprise will by the end of this year
find out whether or not Armenia has uranium deposits. Currently
specialists are exploring the area around Voghchi River that flows
between Kapan and Kajaran towns in Syunik marz (province), Head of
State Committee for Nuclear Security Regulation to Armenia's Government
Ashot Martirosyan told a press conference today.
The Government's move to exploit Armenia's uranium deposits has
stirred up discontent among the population and environmentalists in
Syunik over concerns that it will negatively affect the environment
and the population nearby communities.
"It is natural that there may be concerns, but at the same time all
the necessary steps will be taken to make sure the exploitation of
uranium deposits is absolutely safe both for the environment and
population. The works will naturally be stopped, should anything go
wrong," assured Mr Martirosyan.
In his words, however, currently work is underway to find out what
deposits Armenia has, how deep they are and what kind of threat those
iron ore may pose.
"If it turns out that there are enough industrial deposits [of
uranium] a program will be designed which will pass an international
expertise. One of the obligatory conditions will be doing the works in
line with international standards," said he, adding that the enrichment
of uranium, if found of course, will not be conducted in Armenia but
rather in abroad.
It is has not yet been decided whether uranium will be sold to other
countries or at what prices, if found, as it is too early to discuss
this kind of issues.
From: A. Papazian
Tert.am
29.07.10
The Armenian-Russian joint enterprise will by the end of this year
find out whether or not Armenia has uranium deposits. Currently
specialists are exploring the area around Voghchi River that flows
between Kapan and Kajaran towns in Syunik marz (province), Head of
State Committee for Nuclear Security Regulation to Armenia's Government
Ashot Martirosyan told a press conference today.
The Government's move to exploit Armenia's uranium deposits has
stirred up discontent among the population and environmentalists in
Syunik over concerns that it will negatively affect the environment
and the population nearby communities.
"It is natural that there may be concerns, but at the same time all
the necessary steps will be taken to make sure the exploitation of
uranium deposits is absolutely safe both for the environment and
population. The works will naturally be stopped, should anything go
wrong," assured Mr Martirosyan.
In his words, however, currently work is underway to find out what
deposits Armenia has, how deep they are and what kind of threat those
iron ore may pose.
"If it turns out that there are enough industrial deposits [of
uranium] a program will be designed which will pass an international
expertise. One of the obligatory conditions will be doing the works in
line with international standards," said he, adding that the enrichment
of uranium, if found of course, will not be conducted in Armenia but
rather in abroad.
It is has not yet been decided whether uranium will be sold to other
countries or at what prices, if found, as it is too early to discuss
this kind of issues.
From: A. Papazian