ArmInfo. Amulsar gold-bearing quartzite deposit located 14km away from resort town of Jermuk is considered to have the largest gold reserves in Armenia. Geologists discovered the gold-bearing deposit yet in 2006. During the following ten years, they had studied the possibilities, pros and cons of starting operation activities.In 2014, the Government of Armenia granted Mining Right to Lydian Armenia CJSC. In 2015, the Project’s environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) was approved. Despite that comprehensive,almost 6,000-page document, the company is constantly facing harsh criticism by environmental organizations who do not believe and some do not want to believe in successful implementation of Lydian’s biodiversity conservation measures.In an interview with ArmInfo, Armen Stepanyan, Lydian Armenia Sustainability Director speaks about possible environmental impacts of mine operation and mitigation measures planned.
Mr. Stepanyan, a 6,000-page document! Why are some environmentalists still not comfortable with it? They claim that the document has major deficiencies and there is a threat of contamination of Jermuk’s mineral waters.