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Discussion on Teghut: `Wallex spoke, too, but the village residents didn't'
http://www.yerkirmedia.am/?act=news&lan=en&id=6003
15:49 . 24/03
A discussion was organized in Vanadzor today devoted to the issue of
Teghut mine operation. A working group was formed by the order of the
RA PM to discuss the mine operation problems.
The working group includes responsible representatives of RA
ministries of nature protection, economy, agriculture and ecological
NGO representatives.
In Vanadzor nature protection ministry representatives headed by
Deputy Minister Simon Papyan, representatives of ecological NGOs,
international structures, Teghut's village head and of other
structures were present at the discussion.
Wallex Group operates the cooper-molybdenum mine in Teghut.
Large-scale prospecting work has been carried out since 1972 in the
result of which 450mln tons of ore reserves were confirmed-1.6mln tons
of copper and 99 000 tons of molybdenum.
The public discussion started with screening of a video material on
Teghut. The story of the mine and the range of unprecedented
achievements in the region of Lory after its commissioning were
presented in detail. But the risks the mine brings about were not
addressed at all.
The public discussion took place with the participation of all the
interested parties. The number of those invited reached 90 not
including the journalists and the working group representatives. But
most of them stayed outside. Though a large group of ecologist
activists were invited to the discussion they preferred to stay
outside the doors of the hall.
`We have nothing to discuss with those inside. The speeches are over.
Mining piracy is the end of Armenia. They are participating in
destroying of Armenia's mining reserves,' Levon Barseghyan said.
`This is a false format. It is organised in order to show the Orhus
committee in Geneva that they are doing something with the public
participation,' ecologist Armine Galfayn said.
Despite such a boycott by the ecologist activists, the discussion
continued normally. The ecologists were presenting their concerns, and
Wallex Group representatives were trying to answer them.
`There is a damage caused to 7 streamlets, the watercourses are
destroyed, the nature is dying, the geological structures are
vanishing. However, the tailing dump with its all contents is the
biggest damage,' Chairman of the Union of Greens Hakob Sanasaryan
said.
`We are applying the best experience at this moment. If we have failed
in some issues, then point out concretely what we can do in order that
the tailing dump under construction in Teghut is the safest in the
world from the point of view of ecology,' Deputy Chairman of Wallex
Group Gagik Arzumanyan said.
The deputy minister of nature protection closed the discussion which
lasted about 3 hours. According to Simon Papyan, this was the first
serious and professional discussion in the sphere. Minutes will be
drawn in the result of the discussion which will summerise all the
concerns and suggestions heard.
`The implementation of such a large-scale project cannot but have a
negative impact on the flora and fauna. The problem is to bring this
dangerous influence to the minimum. The ministry of nature protection
carries out strict control and those violating rules will be severely
punished,' the deputy minister said.
The issues remained again pending. The ordinary Teghut residents again
didn't have the opportunity to speak out. Only it was heard from
others that they are pleased because they have jobs. But no one was
interested in their health. Instead, it was again assured that the
forest destroyed is being restored in a double size of the previous
one, the tourism is developing, the biodiversity is not endangered at
all, and the damage to the environment is correspondingly compensated
to the state.
http://www.yerkirmedia.am/?act=news&lan=en&id=6003
15:49 . 24/03
A discussion was organized in Vanadzor today devoted to the issue of
Teghut mine operation. A working group was formed by the order of the
RA PM to discuss the mine operation problems.
The working group includes responsible representatives of RA
ministries of nature protection, economy, agriculture and ecological
NGO representatives.
In Vanadzor nature protection ministry representatives headed by
Deputy Minister Simon Papyan, representatives of ecological NGOs,
international structures, Teghut's village head and of other
structures were present at the discussion.
Wallex Group operates the cooper-molybdenum mine in Teghut.
Large-scale prospecting work has been carried out since 1972 in the
result of which 450mln tons of ore reserves were confirmed-1.6mln tons
of copper and 99 000 tons of molybdenum.
The public discussion started with screening of a video material on
Teghut. The story of the mine and the range of unprecedented
achievements in the region of Lory after its commissioning were
presented in detail. But the risks the mine brings about were not
addressed at all.
The public discussion took place with the participation of all the
interested parties. The number of those invited reached 90 not
including the journalists and the working group representatives. But
most of them stayed outside. Though a large group of ecologist
activists were invited to the discussion they preferred to stay
outside the doors of the hall.
`We have nothing to discuss with those inside. The speeches are over.
Mining piracy is the end of Armenia. They are participating in
destroying of Armenia's mining reserves,' Levon Barseghyan said.
`This is a false format. It is organised in order to show the Orhus
committee in Geneva that they are doing something with the public
participation,' ecologist Armine Galfayn said.
Despite such a boycott by the ecologist activists, the discussion
continued normally. The ecologists were presenting their concerns, and
Wallex Group representatives were trying to answer them.
`There is a damage caused to 7 streamlets, the watercourses are
destroyed, the nature is dying, the geological structures are
vanishing. However, the tailing dump with its all contents is the
biggest damage,' Chairman of the Union of Greens Hakob Sanasaryan
said.
`We are applying the best experience at this moment. If we have failed
in some issues, then point out concretely what we can do in order that
the tailing dump under construction in Teghut is the safest in the
world from the point of view of ecology,' Deputy Chairman of Wallex
Group Gagik Arzumanyan said.
The deputy minister of nature protection closed the discussion which
lasted about 3 hours. According to Simon Papyan, this was the first
serious and professional discussion in the sphere. Minutes will be
drawn in the result of the discussion which will summerise all the
concerns and suggestions heard.
`The implementation of such a large-scale project cannot but have a
negative impact on the flora and fauna. The problem is to bring this
dangerous influence to the minimum. The ministry of nature protection
carries out strict control and those violating rules will be severely
punished,' the deputy minister said.
The issues remained again pending. The ordinary Teghut residents again
didn't have the opportunity to speak out. Only it was heard from
others that they are pleased because they have jobs. But no one was
interested in their health. Instead, it was again assured that the
forest destroyed is being restored in a double size of the previous
one, the tourism is developing, the biodiversity is not endangered at
all, and the damage to the environment is correspondingly compensated
to the state.