Arminfo.info



 Tuesday, July 9 2019 12:03
Alexandr Avanesov

Minister: Economic expectations from an investment program are often  fraught with environmental risks

Minister: Economic expectations from an investment program are often  fraught with environmental risks

ArmInfo. Economic expectations from an investment program are often fraught with environmental risks. This was stated on July 9 at the extraordinary meeting of the  National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia by the Minister of  Nature Protection Erik Grigoryan, speaking about the results of the  preliminary examination on the Amulsar deposit.  

According to the minister, the economic benefits of a program often face a negative  multiplicative effect.  As an example, Erik Grigoryan cited a  significant increase in fish farms in the Ararat Valley of the  republic, where, due to inappropriate use of available water  resources, about 8,000 agricultural lands were unsuitable for land  use. The same, according to the minister, can be said with regard to  urban planning.  Examination of the Amulsar project, as Erik  Grigoryan stressed, is carried out in the framework of a criminal  case initiated by the Investigative Committee. The preliminary  conclusion of the examination has not yet been translated, and for  this reason it is not possible to give it an expert opinion. The  company "Lydian Armenia" involved in the construction of the gold  mine "Amulsar" is also involved in the research process.

The Minister advised the lawmakers of the Armenian parliament to  contact the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia for  the final version of the examination. Nevertheless, according to him,  the economic expectations from this program should not prevail over  environmental risks, including the extraction of 15 thousand tons of  ore. It should be noted that on May 31, the Investigation Committee  of Armenia received a preliminary conclusion of a comprehensive  examination of the assessment of the impact of the Amulsar field  operation on water resources and the geological environment.  According to the report of the Investigative Committee of Armenia,  the conclusion consists of 150 pages. Currently, a translation of the  text of the opinion is being carried out, the full text of which will  be provided within the agreed time frame.

To recall, Lydian International Limited on March 19 announced that   the Government of the Republic of Armenia had begun an independent   assessment of the environmental impact of the Amulsar Gold project -   water resources, geology, biodiversity and water quality. In   September 2018, the Armenian government has already commissioned an   assessment of the possible consequences of the Amulsar Gold project   in terms of water resources. The scope of work under the current   audit will also include an analysis of the environmental and social   impact assessment ("EIA"), although the company's EIA was previously   approved by the Armenian authorities in accordance with Armenian   legislation even before the company began construction at the Amulsar   field . Earth Link and Advanced Resources Development were chosen as   consulting firms for the assessment by the Armenian government.  In   February 2019, the Armenian government allocated $ 396,900 to  finance the third audit, the start of which was announced earlier. In   this regard, Joao Carrel, President and Chief Executive Officer of   Lydian, said: "We have worked closely with the organizations that   conducted the two previous government audits - since the blockade of   the Amulsar mine in June 2018, and we will, of course, cooperate with   ELARD in an event that the government calls a final audit. " At the   same time, he stressed that the company continues to work with the  Armenian government to ensure the rule of law in order to restore   access to the Amulsar project site and allow Lydian to resume mining   and environmental activities, and all this along with the third   audit. ''

Despite all our efforts, and at the same time - the  intolerance of  the incumbent government to other illegal blockades in  the country -  <Lydian> is not allowed to resume work. The actions  and,  accordingly, the inaction of the Armenian government are part of  an  ongoing campaign against Lydian investments in Armenia. No other   company in Armenia has undergone three inspections since June 2018.    The company does not agree either with the need or with the legal  justification for the third audit, since the Armenian government,   having approved the EIA, has already confirmed that the Amulsar Gold   project meets the environmental requirements of Armenia, and   "Lydian", relying on this approval, invested hundreds of million   dollars.  

To recall, "Lydian Armenia" is a subsidiary of the British  Lydian  International.  The Amulsar project is the largest industrial   project in Armenia today for the development of the Amulsar gold   deposit with a total value of $ 370 million. In August 2016, a   project was launched that involves the construction and development   of the field. Preparatory work has been going on since 2006. The life   of the Amulsar deposit will be 10 years and 4 months, it is planned   to produce an average of 200 thousand ounces of gold (about 10   million tons of ore) annually. Estimated mineral resources, as   indicated in the Technical Report for the 1st quarter of 2017,   contain 3.5 million adjusted and specified ounces of gold and 1.3   million supposed ounces of gold. Amulsar deposit is the second  largest reserve in Armenia. The company is listed on the Toronto   Stock Exchange. Last summer the project had to be frozen due to the   protests of environmental activists who blocked entry to the mine   site under construction.  The new government of Armenia did not use   force and announced the need for a new environmental expertise to   fully assure the safety of future exploitation of the field, located   a few kilometers from the resort town of Jermuk. 

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Armenian leadership deliberately leads Armenian-Russian relations to  collapse - LavrovArmenian leadership deliberately leads Armenian-Russian relations to  collapse - Lavrov
ECHR accepts complaints in cases of Armen Ashotyan and Artur  Danielyan for preliminary proceedings ECHR accepts complaints in cases of Armen Ashotyan and Artur  Danielyan for preliminary proceedings 
Freedom House ranks Artsakh Not Free after Azerbaijani occupation; it  losses 40 points at onceFreedom House ranks Artsakh Not Free after Azerbaijani occupation; it  losses 40 points at once
"Europeans for Artsakh" platform outlines Artsakh`s interests  protecting vector 
Government  allocates about AMD1.4 billion to properly organize 100th  anniversary events of Sergey Parajanov, Charles AznavourGovernment  allocates about AMD1.4 billion to properly organize 100th  anniversary events of Sergey Parajanov, Charles Aznavour
France expresses readiness to consider UFAR`s development and  expansion agenda within Academic City project France expresses readiness to consider UFAR`s development and  expansion agenda within Academic City project 
Armenia to send 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza StripArmenia to send 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip
No No "governments in exile" for Armenia`s premier 
Armenia is turning into extremely dangerous instrument in the hands  of the West - Maria Zakharova Armenia is turning into extremely dangerous instrument in the hands  of the West - Maria Zakharova 
Former Nagorno-Karabakh president calls on France to expert pressure  on Azerbaijan Former Nagorno-Karabakh president calls on France to expert pressure  on Azerbaijan 
Housing programme for forcibly displaced people to be presented next  month - vice-premier Housing programme for forcibly displaced people to be presented next  month - vice-premier 
40+10 assistance programme for forcibly displaced people to be  extended until end 2024 40+10 assistance programme for forcibly displaced people to be  extended until end 2024 
CSTO Sec Gen on Armenia`s participation in CSTO work CSTO Sec Gen on Armenia`s participation in CSTO work 
Meeting in Brussels is to focus on Armenia`s economic resilience -  U.S. Department of State Meeting in Brussels is to focus on Armenia`s economic resilience -  U.S. Department of State 
Upcoming high-level meeting in Brussels not directed against any  third party - Armenia`s foreign office  Upcoming high-level meeting in Brussels not directed against any  third party - Armenia`s foreign office  
World has experience in development of even failed states - Artak  Zakaryan World has experience in development of even failed states - Artak  Zakaryan 
Zakharova: information on Azerbaijan`s arms supplies to Ukraine is  carefully checkedZakharova: information on Azerbaijan`s arms supplies to Ukraine is  carefully checked
Russian Foreign Ministry: France`s actions are hindering  implementation of Azerbaijan-Armenia agreements Russian Foreign Ministry: France`s actions are hindering  implementation of Azerbaijan-Armenia agreements 
Russian Foreign Ministry: Anything that will benefit the people of  Armenia is only welcomedRussian Foreign Ministry: Anything that will benefit the people of  Armenia is only welcomed
Gnel Sanosyan: Upon completion of demarcation and delimitation  process, there will be no unresolved problemsGnel Sanosyan: Upon completion of demarcation and delimitation  process, there will be no unresolved problems
Statements by Alen Simonyan are carte blanche for aggression:  Opposition MPStatements by Alen Simonyan are carte blanche for aggression:  Opposition MP
Armenia does not join  CSTO PA delegations heads  statement  condemning violent terrorist attack in Crocus City HallArmenia does not join  CSTO PA delegations heads  statement  condemning violent terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall
NA Speaker: I would like to meet with a person who can prove on a map  that the four villages of Tavush belong to ArmeniaNA Speaker: I would like to meet with a person who can prove on a map  that the four villages of Tavush belong to Armenia
National Assembly Speaker: there were no political overtones in my  meeting with Svetlana TikhanovskayaNational Assembly Speaker: there were no political overtones in my  meeting with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
Armenian PM, French parliamentarians discuss processes in South  Caucasus Armenian PM, French parliamentarians discuss processes in South  Caucasus 
Baku irritated by Pashinyan`s upcoming meeting with Blinken and Von  der LeyneBaku irritated by Pashinyan`s upcoming meeting with Blinken and Von  der Leyne
French delegation inspects security in Sotk mine French delegation inspects security in Sotk mine
Offering Armenia EU candidate status makes its pivot to West  irreversible - report Offering Armenia EU candidate status makes its pivot to West  irreversible - report 
AraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bondsAraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bonds
Armenian MP meet with Danish counterparts  Armenian MP meet with Danish counterparts  
Surrender of Tavush villages to destroy locals` ecosystem - expert Surrender of Tavush villages to destroy locals` ecosystem - expert 
Renowned Swiss-American lutenist to perform in Armenia  Renowned Swiss-American lutenist to perform in Armenia  
Azerbaijan uses military-political leaders of Artsakh in captivity to  achieve its propaganda goals - statementAzerbaijan uses military-political leaders of Artsakh in captivity to  achieve its propaganda goals - statement
No details of upcoming meeting between Armenia`s premier, U.S. Sec of  State, European Commission president No details of upcoming meeting between Armenia`s premier, U.S. Sec of  State, European Commission president 
People of Nagorno-Karabakh determined to return to their homeland -  Leevon KocharyanPeople of Nagorno-Karabakh determined to return to their homeland -  Leevon Kocharyan
Armenian committed to peace and stability in South Caucasus Armenian committed to peace and stability in South Caucasus 
Tatoyan Foundation, together with other human rights organizations,  publishes joint report on torture committed by Azerbaijan against  ArmeniansTatoyan Foundation, together with other human rights organizations,  publishes joint report on torture committed by Azerbaijan against  Armenians
Mirzoyan: Armenia considers Argentina as reliable partner in South  AmericaMirzoyan: Armenia considers Argentina as reliable partner in South  America
French Ambassador: The right of Artsakh people to return to their  homeland has been violatedFrench Ambassador: The right of Artsakh people to return to their  homeland has been violated
State Dept on US policy principles in relations with ArmeniaState Dept on US policy principles in relations with Armenia
Slander aimed at removing National Democratic Pole from political  arena: party responds to IC Slander aimed at removing National Democratic Pole from political  arena: party responds to IC 
Armenian diplomat to EU special rep: Aliyev regime is gearing up for  new aggression against Armenia, as he faced no consequences for last  onesArmenian diplomat to EU special rep: Aliyev regime is gearing up for  new aggression against Armenia, as he faced no consequences for last  ones
ICLaw presents cases of 8 Armenian servicemen to UN Working Group on  Enforced DisappearancesICLaw presents cases of 8 Armenian servicemen to UN Working Group on  Enforced Disappearances
Following Armenian foreign office, references to Artsakh `disappear`  from president`s websiteFollowing Armenian foreign office, references to Artsakh `disappear`  from president`s website
Sati Spivakova and the Moscow Theater of Nations soon in YerevanSati Spivakova and the Moscow Theater of Nations soon in Yerevan
CSTO Secretary General calls for creation of tools to counter  terrorismCSTO Secretary General calls for creation of tools to counter  terrorism
No discussions yet held on the issue of Armenia`s new Constitution -  minister No discussions yet held on the issue of Armenia`s new Constitution -  minister 
Establishment of lasting peace and stability in South Caucasus  Armenia`s top priority - Nikol Pashinyan Establishment of lasting peace and stability in South Caucasus  Armenia`s top priority - Nikol Pashinyan 
Azerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists  and civil society activists - Dunja MijatovicAzerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists  and civil society activists - Dunja Mijatovic
Armenia`s minister of justice on reforms in judicial system Armenia`s minister of justice on reforms in judicial system 
Armenian expert on Azerbaijan`s policy of misappropriation of  Armenian heritage Armenian expert on Azerbaijan`s policy of misappropriation of  Armenian heritage 
Incident with ex-minister of defense followed by numerous dismissals  - minister Incident with ex-minister of defense followed by numerous dismissals  - minister 
Russia is going through a rather difficult period in relations with  friendly, fraternal Armenia - Russian presidential spokesman Russia is going through a rather difficult period in relations with  friendly, fraternal Armenia - Russian presidential spokesman 
Azerbaijan creates artificial grounds for military aggression against  Armenia - Arman Tatoyan Azerbaijan creates artificial grounds for military aggression against  Armenia - Arman Tatoyan 
Armenian FM takes part in presentation of book Armenian FM takes part in presentation of book "Armenian Buenos  Aires" 
Threats against Armenia in Azerbaijani media channels unacceptable -  Toivo KlaarThreats against Armenia in Azerbaijani media channels unacceptable -  Toivo Klaar
Opposition MP: Threatening people with war is not the mission of  country`s leaderOpposition MP: Threatening people with war is not the mission of  country`s leader
Roundtable on geopolitical developments in South Caucasus held at  Belgian SenateRoundtable on geopolitical developments in South Caucasus held at  Belgian Senate
Andranik Tevanyan: Political struggle is the only guarantee of  success, a chance not to turn real Armenia into historical oneAndranik Tevanyan: Political struggle is the only guarantee of  success, a chance not to turn real Armenia into historical one
Vahagn Khachaturyan Vahagn Khachaturyan "closes" book of condolences at Russian Embassy  in Yerevan
Read more



Commented