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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
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