Armenia is
hosting an international symposium on the impacts ore mining and construction
activities have on human health in countries in transition.
Representative of the World
Health Organization Elizabet Paunovic said that as many as 1,300,000 people die
annually of cancer caused by environmental impacts. Such impacts are high for
employees of mining companies and people living near active deposits. She said
that the risks coming from ore mining activities are especially high in
countries with a low or medium income level. International experts forecast
that in 2030 the cancer rate will be twice as high as it is now, so, top
priority must be given to environment protection.
Armenia's Deputy Nature Protection Minister Hayk Darbinyan said
that Armenia is actively adopting modern technologies in ore mining industry so
as to reduce risks for nature and human health, with miners undergoing
compulsory medical examinations and mining companies monitored by the Ministry
and NGOs on a constant basis.
Attending
the symposium are representatives of a number of Armenian mining companies.
Chief Environmental Specialist of Geoteam Armen Stepanyan told journalists that
the impacts caused by ore mining and construction to human health are studied
both in Armenia and abroad.
He
agreed with Darbinyan that Armenia needs modern experience and technologies and
pointed out that some big Armenian companies use the highest environmental
standards set by WHO. One of them is
Geoteam, a company that has been exploring Amulsar gold field in Armenia since
2006.