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MAYOR OF JERMUK - GEOTEAM: JERMUK RESIDENTS PREFER TOURISM TO MINING INDUSTRY
arminfo
Wednesday, June 13, 20:08
Mayor of Jermuk Vardan Hovhannisyan has sent an open letter to Geoteam,
a company planning to develop the Amulsar gold mine.
"We urge you not to distract the public from the damage mining causes
to the environment and human health and to inform the local population
and experts about your activities and ensuing risks," the Mayor says,
noting that Geoteam's risk assessments are deficient and skin-deep,
with very little said about the impact rock blasting at Amulsar may
cause to Jermuk's mineral spring system.
"Hence, we insist that the Nature Protection Ministry recognize Jermuk
as a community that may be damaged by the Amulsar project. In the last
five years we have invested over 4bln AMD in our city. We are building
two big hotels. Mining activities just 12 km away from us cannot be
affect the city's image. We are facing a choice: tourism or mining.
Our people opts for tourism," the Mayor of Jermuk said.
This year Geoteam is planning to invest $52mln in the mine. Amulsar is
believed to have over 40 tons of gold. Among the shareholders of the
owner of Geoteam, Lydian International, are IFC and EBRD. So, experts
expect that the environmental risks of the project will be considered.
arminfo
Wednesday, June 13, 20:08
Mayor of Jermuk Vardan Hovhannisyan has sent an open letter to Geoteam,
a company planning to develop the Amulsar gold mine.
"We urge you not to distract the public from the damage mining causes
to the environment and human health and to inform the local population
and experts about your activities and ensuing risks," the Mayor says,
noting that Geoteam's risk assessments are deficient and skin-deep,
with very little said about the impact rock blasting at Amulsar may
cause to Jermuk's mineral spring system.
"Hence, we insist that the Nature Protection Ministry recognize Jermuk
as a community that may be damaged by the Amulsar project. In the last
five years we have invested over 4bln AMD in our city. We are building
two big hotels. Mining activities just 12 km away from us cannot be
affect the city's image. We are facing a choice: tourism or mining.
Our people opts for tourism," the Mayor of Jermuk said.
This year Geoteam is planning to invest $52mln in the mine. Amulsar is
believed to have over 40 tons of gold. Among the shareholders of the
owner of Geoteam, Lydian International, are IFC and EBRD. So, experts
expect that the environmental risks of the project will be considered.