The NDP Council condemned the start of the Amulsar field`s operation, citing potential risks

ArmInfo. The National Democratic Pole (NDP) Council condemned the launch of the Amulsar mine in the Vayots Dzor region of the country, calling this move fraught with grave consequences for Armenia's environmental, economic, and national security.

In a statement received by ArmInfo, the NDP Council noted that the October 10 grand opening does not address concerns that have been voiced for many years and cannot replace a convincing, independent, and public justification for the project's safety. "Our primary concern is water, the most important and irreplaceable resource for life on Earth. Sources of clean fresh water are limited, and the consequences of their pollution can be long-term and virtually irreversible." "Gold is sold and consumed, while the loss of water threatens public health, food security, and the future of future generations," the People's Democratic Party noted.

The Council stated that the location of the Amulsar mine near the Arpa and Vorotan water systems and strategic reservoirs requires special care. Furthermore, they noted that the connection of the Kechut Reservoir to Lake Sevan makes the issue of potential pollution a national concern. "The potential damage here is not limited to the mine site or a single community: drinking and irrigation water, agriculture, and Armenia's strategic freshwater reserves could be at risk. Habitat disruption threatens biodiversity. Damage to Jermuk's reputation as a resort could impact tourism, sanatoriums, mineral water production, and the incomes of families dependent on these industries." "Environmental risks also affect the future of agricultural land, pastures, and local production," the Council emphasized.

The NDP also called the project's publicly presented revenues grossly exaggerated. In this regard, the Council explained that the value of exports, company revenue, and the net benefit received by Armenia are different values. "To assess the public benefit of the project, it is necessary to subtract from the revenues potential losses: damage to tourism and agriculture, costs of healthcare, water treatment, site restoration, and long-term monitoring after the mine's closure. Without this full calculation, talk of 'great economic benefits' is one-sided propaganda. The threat to public finances is also alarming. The state guarantee of up to $150 million provided for the project's financing means that in the event of default, the financial burden may be shifted to the state," the PDP noted.

In light of the above, the Council stated that the operation of the Amulsar mine must be halted as soon as possible, and the government, which is sacrificing the country's national interests, must be immediately removed. "The development of the Republic of Armenia must be based on preserving the health of the people, water security, and long-term economic potential. Temporary tax revenues cannot justify threatening irreplaceable natural resources. Armenia's water is public wealth and the foundation of national security. No government has the right to jeopardize it," the Council concluded.

It should be noted that the Amulsar mine was launched on October 10. Pashinyan, launching the operation, stated that the Amulsar gold mine The mine will produce approximately 210,000 ounces of gold per year. It is noted that the mine's operation will result in annual taxes and royalties paid by Lydian Armenia to the state budget of approximately $130 million, which will have a positive impact on Armenia's GDP of 1.5-2%.

The Amulsar project is expected to create over 4,000 direct and indirect jobs. According to the community development agreement signed between the government, Lydian Armenia, and the communities of Jermuk, Vayk, and Sisian, it is planned to allocate $7-9 million annually for community socio-economic development programs throughout the mine's lifespan. The project is being implemented as part of the strategic cooperation between Lydian Armenia and the Armenian government. The company invested approximately $750 million in the project, $150 million of which was secured by a state guarantee issued by the Armenian government. Environmentalists criticized the Armenian authorities' decision, emphasizing that the mine's operations would cause irreparable damage to the Jermuk resort and Lake Sevan.