Armenia's Nature Protection Ministry has made a negative environmental impact statement on several projects.
The press service of the Ministry reports that the matter concerns Mega Gold's project on construction of the third tailing dump of Tukhmanuk deposit; Gegamet Plus's project on development of the magnesium- silicate and chromite mine in Shorzha; as well as the project on development of the andesite and basalt pit in Voghjaberd. In addition, the Ministry turned down the design documents on gold mining in Meghradzor to Meghradzor Gold.
To note, almost all of the specified projects caused the discontent of the environmentalists and local residents, who are concerned over the negative impact of these projects on the environment. The head of the Union of Green Activists of Armenia, Hakob Sanasaryan, said that development of the Tukhmanuk deposit is dangerous not only for Melik village but also for the whole Ararat valley as the tailing dumps contain heavy metals which penetrate into agriculture products through the irrigation water.
Earlier this year the residents of Meghradzor community held a protest action in front of the President's residence against Meghradzor Gold's plans to build a cyanic plant. It was reported that the activity of the plant contained potential risks as it would be built in the resort zone of Tsaghkadzor-Meghradzor- Hankavan. As regards the Shorzha mine, EcoLur NGO has drawn public attention to the violation of the Law "On Lake Sevan", because the development of the deposit destroys the Areguni mountain range, which is an integral part of the lake ecosystem.