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Jermouk Development Center Co-Prez - "Amulsar Gold Mine Must Be Shut

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  • Jermouk Development Center Co-Prez - "Amulsar Gold Mine Must Be Shut

    JERMOUK DEVELOPMENT CENTER CO-PREZ - "AMULSAR GOLD MINE MUST BE SHUT DOWN"
    Grisha Balasanyan

    13:01, August 8, 2013
    Environmental activists and local NGOs, backed by a number of sector
    specialists, continue to raise warnings about the Amulsar gold mine,
    particularly the negative effects it poses for the nearby resort town
    of Jermouk, known far and wide for its mineral waters.

    Vazgen Galstyan, Co-president of the Jermouk Development Center,
    points to two such risks that the mine poses.

    He says that underground detonations at the mine can upset the
    hydro-geological balance in the area, thus causing a decrease in the
    flow of the famous mineral waters and a change to its mineral content.

    Galstyan also notes that prevailing winds can blow the dust caused
    by the explosions to the resort town. He claims that Jermouk was
    deliberately left off the list of "effected communities" in order to
    give the green light for mining in the area.

    The young activist says that the Environmental Impact Assessment
    regarding Amulsar was performed in London, in a virtual format, and
    not on the site itself. Thus, the document contained within, stating
    that mine detonations will have no impact on Jermouk, is misleading.

    He points to the conclusions reached by hydro-geologist Ruben Hadoyan
    stating that the detonations will definitely impact the mineral waters
    of Jermouk.

    Galstyan argues for the closing of the mine altogether, saying that
    any changes to the operational program will not make a major difference
    in terms of decreasing the environmental risks.

    He says that a united public effort can only bring a halt to the
    mine since government agencies have displayed an active disregard to
    the problem.

    The activist calls for pressure to be brought to bear on state
    agencies, the mining company, and institutions financing the mine.

    Galstyan says those opposed to Amulsar are continuing to pressure
    organizations and banks that provide financing to Geoteam CJSC, the
    company holding the mining licenses. (Geoteam CJSC is owned entirely
    by Lydian International Limited, a British company based in Jersey)

    Lydian's largest shareholder is the International Finance
    Corporation (IFC; part of the World Bank Group). The European Bank
    for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is also a major shareholder
    in the Company.

    http://hetq.am/eng/news/28602/jermouk-development-center-co-prez---amulsar-gold-mine-must-be-shut-down.html



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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