Tweet
MINING CONTROVERSY: EXPLOITATION POSES THREAT TO JERMUK, ENVIRONMENTALISTS WARN
News | 08.10.13 | 17:14
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, responding to Jermuk residents'
letter of concerns, said that if Amulsar open gold mining project
causes environmental damage, it won't be carried out.
Amulsar Mountain, 170 kilometers southeast of Yerevan, is on the border
of Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces, where 248 plant species grow,
six among them are in the Red Book of Armenia. The fauna includes 60
species of mammals, 12 species of reptiles, two species of amphibians,
and five fish species. Environmentalists warn that all of it will be
lost should the mine be exploited.
The Amulsar project implementer is Geoteam LLC, its 100 percent shares
belonging to British Lydian International Limited, registered in a
Channel Island offshore account.
Ecolur NGO leader Inga Zarafyan says there are two water reservoirs
near Amulsar - Ketchout and Spandaryan (2 km from the mountain),
which is the country's second biggest reservoir with 257 million
cubic meter capacity.
"We believe it poses a serious threat to Jermuk resort town and its
more than 6,000 population, because it is only 12 km away from the
peak of Amulsar," says Zarafyan.
The law on Lake Sevan prohibits any activities in the area that could
be damaging for its ecosystem.
According to Artur Grigoryan, member of Teghut Protection Civil
Initiative, on July 18, 2013, the government adopted a decree,
clarifying the concept of Sevan water basin, and the segment of
Amulsar to be exploited as a mine falls under the area of direct
impact, where any damaging activities are prohibited.
Environmentalists say the open gold mining would generate lead, which
affects the nervous and circulatory systems in humans leading to high
mortality rates in the given area, and can also cause mal-development;
cyanides could cause severe respiratory damage as fine dust spreads
by 30 km, accumulates on plants, and through food chain reaches humans.
Geologist Ruben Yadoyan says there is no mine that could be exploited
without affecting the environment, regardless of how well-guided they
are by the international standards. He says Jermuk is a very delicate
juncture of six-seven mines, which can shift its course should there
be a slight shake.
Geoteam company told RFE/RL that the company spent 3 years, 3 months
and around $3 million on the social and environmental impact assessment
of exploiting Amulsar gold. The environmental expertise has been
completed and will be available after its translation into Armenian.
Speaking about British investments in Armenia British Ambassador
in Armenia Jonathan Aves said they would like it if more British
companies invested in Armenia.
"Lydian International leads the list of companies working with us and
encouraging investment here. It is a common knowledge that they are
planning to exploit the Amulsar gold mine. We believe the project will
be very profitable for Armenia," said the British diplomat. "The
project implementation would not only create new employment
chances and spur the growth of tax revenues of the state budget,
but also demonstrate to western investors that companies meeting the
international standards can successfully operate in Armenia."
Jermuk, one of Armenia's landmarks, is an international resort. The
basin where healing mineral waters originate, enjoys a status of a
hydrological preserve and is among the areas under special protection
in Armenia. Investments are made in Jermuk to develop tourism, as
well as the network of mineral water resorts.
http://armenianow.com/news/49043/mining_armenia_amulsar_geoteam_jermuk
News | 08.10.13 | 17:14
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, responding to Jermuk residents'
letter of concerns, said that if Amulsar open gold mining project
causes environmental damage, it won't be carried out.
Amulsar Mountain, 170 kilometers southeast of Yerevan, is on the border
of Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces, where 248 plant species grow,
six among them are in the Red Book of Armenia. The fauna includes 60
species of mammals, 12 species of reptiles, two species of amphibians,
and five fish species. Environmentalists warn that all of it will be
lost should the mine be exploited.
The Amulsar project implementer is Geoteam LLC, its 100 percent shares
belonging to British Lydian International Limited, registered in a
Channel Island offshore account.
Ecolur NGO leader Inga Zarafyan says there are two water reservoirs
near Amulsar - Ketchout and Spandaryan (2 km from the mountain),
which is the country's second biggest reservoir with 257 million
cubic meter capacity.
"We believe it poses a serious threat to Jermuk resort town and its
more than 6,000 population, because it is only 12 km away from the
peak of Amulsar," says Zarafyan.
The law on Lake Sevan prohibits any activities in the area that could
be damaging for its ecosystem.
According to Artur Grigoryan, member of Teghut Protection Civil
Initiative, on July 18, 2013, the government adopted a decree,
clarifying the concept of Sevan water basin, and the segment of
Amulsar to be exploited as a mine falls under the area of direct
impact, where any damaging activities are prohibited.
Environmentalists say the open gold mining would generate lead, which
affects the nervous and circulatory systems in humans leading to high
mortality rates in the given area, and can also cause mal-development;
cyanides could cause severe respiratory damage as fine dust spreads
by 30 km, accumulates on plants, and through food chain reaches humans.
Geologist Ruben Yadoyan says there is no mine that could be exploited
without affecting the environment, regardless of how well-guided they
are by the international standards. He says Jermuk is a very delicate
juncture of six-seven mines, which can shift its course should there
be a slight shake.
Geoteam company told RFE/RL that the company spent 3 years, 3 months
and around $3 million on the social and environmental impact assessment
of exploiting Amulsar gold. The environmental expertise has been
completed and will be available after its translation into Armenian.
Speaking about British investments in Armenia British Ambassador
in Armenia Jonathan Aves said they would like it if more British
companies invested in Armenia.
"Lydian International leads the list of companies working with us and
encouraging investment here. It is a common knowledge that they are
planning to exploit the Amulsar gold mine. We believe the project will
be very profitable for Armenia," said the British diplomat. "The
project implementation would not only create new employment
chances and spur the growth of tax revenues of the state budget,
but also demonstrate to western investors that companies meeting the
international standards can successfully operate in Armenia."
Jermuk, one of Armenia's landmarks, is an international resort. The
basin where healing mineral waters originate, enjoys a status of a
hydrological preserve and is among the areas under special protection
in Armenia. Investments are made in Jermuk to develop tourism, as
well as the network of mineral water resorts.
http://armenianow.com/news/49043/mining_armenia_amulsar_geoteam_jermuk