Arminfo.info


 Tuesday, May 19 2020 13:51

Local residents turned to EBRD demanding to withdraw from Amulsar  program

Local residents turned to EBRD demanding to withdraw from Amulsar  program

ArmInfo.23 residents of settlements near the Amulsar field, through an independent IPAM accountability mechanism, appealed to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to withdraw from the Amulsar  project. The statement was joined by the international network CEE  BankWatch, NGO "Ekolur", NGO "Forest of Armenia", NGO "Green Armenia"  and the civic initiative "Armenian Environmental Front".

In a statement, in particular, a call was made for IPAM to initiate  checks on compliance of the Amulsar program with the social and  environmental policy of EBRD. It is indicated that Lydian  International, with the help of the former Government of the Republic  of Armenia and the financial assistance of EBRD, did not apply the  best international standards in assessing the impact of the program,  as well as taking into account the opinions of adjacent communities.  In addition, during the implementation of the program, Lydian  International failed to properly protect the natural resources and  economy of Jermuk, as well as the health of the local population.

In this regard, the authors of the statement urge the EBRD to  withdraw from the Amulsar program, which, they said, will be a  crucial step in meeting the requirements of the social and  environmental policy approved by the bank. Among the requirements are  ensuring environmental and social impact assessments; resource  efficiency and pollution prevention; protecting the health of the  local population; biodiversity conservation and sustainable  management of natural resources; stakeholder engagement and restore  justice for the Jermuk population.

<We are confident that EBRD, being one of the largest financial  development institutions, will take into account our protest, examine  the problems we raised and make a decision in favor of the residents  of Jermuk, "the statement said.  Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of  the British offshore Lydian International. The total cost of the  Amulsar project is $ 370 million. The field's life is 10 years and 4  months, with an average of 200 thousand ounces of gold being mined  annually.  Amulsar field is the second largest reserve in Armenia.  According to the company, the deposit contains about 73733 kg of gold  with an average grade of 0.78 g per ton, and 294.367 tons of silver  with an average grade of 9.29 g per ton. It is located in the  south-east of the country, 13 km from the resort town of Jermuk,  between the rivers Arpa and Vorotan. Environmentalists and ordinary  citizens are concerned that the operation of the mine could lead to  the pollution of the mineral underground waters of Jermuk and Lake  Sevan. With this in mind, since last year, entrances to the field  were blocked by local residents. 

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Artur Sargsyan stripped of his parliamentary immunityArtur Sargsyan stripped of his parliamentary immunity
Political scientist: Pashinyan`s government acknowledges that it is  impossible to simultaneously oppose two non-agreement-capable  opposition centersPolitical scientist: Pashinyan`s government acknowledges that it is  impossible to simultaneously oppose two non-agreement-capable  opposition centers
World Council of Churches expresses deep concern regarding recent  developments involving the Armenian Apostolic ChurchWorld Council of Churches expresses deep concern regarding recent  developments involving the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Deputy FM participates in the Special Session of the  Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the Review of the  Draft Amendments on the Crime of AggressionArmenian Deputy FM participates in the Special Session of the  Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the Review of the  Draft Amendments on the Crime of Aggression
Armenian Ombudsperson signals a violation of lawyers` right to access  their clients in the preliminary investigation bodyArmenian Ombudsperson signals a violation of lawyers` right to access  their clients in the preliminary investigation body
 RA Prime Minister visits Kotayk branch of  SOS Children`s Villages RA Prime Minister visits Kotayk branch of SOS Children`s Villages
Jerusalem`s Armenian Quarter  most targeted by anti- Christian  incidents in Israel - ReportJerusalem`s Armenian Quarter  most targeted by anti- Christian  incidents in Israel - Report
Narek Karapetyan: Authorities want to start a pre-planned process  against Tashir GroupNarek Karapetyan: Authorities want to start a pre-planned process  against Tashir Group
Armenia officially joins UN Countering Terrorism Travel Program Armenia officially joins UN Countering Terrorism Travel Program 
Vice Speaker: The government must respond to threats, otherwise it  will lead to chaosVice Speaker: The government must respond to threats, otherwise it  will lead to chaos
No detainees from among ENA staff members - acting CEONo detainees from among ENA staff members - acting CEO
War in Armenia - politician War in Armenia - politician 
Armenian law-enfrocers publicly ordered to attack AAC - lawyerArmenian law-enfrocers publicly ordered to attack AAC - lawyer
Swiss MPs to present peace initiative on return to Artsakh in  Washington Swiss MPs to present peace initiative on return to Artsakh in  Washington 
RA Human Rights Defender condemns squabble in NA RA Human Rights Defender condemns squabble in NA 
Russian-Armenian businessman files slander claims against Armenian  premier, deputy head of RA premier`s staff Russian-Armenian businessman files slander claims against Armenian  premier, deputy head of RA premier`s staff 
Everyone expected this - Narek Karapetyan Everyone expected this - Narek Karapetyan 
Armenia`s Investigative Committee investigating major embezzlement  cases Armenia`s Investigative Committee investigating major embezzlement  cases 
ENA Board chairman brought to ENA head office ENA Board chairman brought to ENA head office 
Tensions in Armenia`s parliamentTensions in Armenia`s parliament
AraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshopAraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshop
Ruling force`s action illegal - Arman TatoyanRuling force`s action illegal - Arman Tatoyan
Law enforcement officers do not explain the reasons for not allowing  ENA employees to their workplacesLaw enforcement officers do not explain the reasons for not allowing  ENA employees to their workplaces
Some Armenian clergymen have nothing in common with Jesus Christ`s  teaching - premierSome Armenian clergymen have nothing in common with Jesus Christ`s  teaching - premier
Law-enforcers raiding home of Russian-Armenian businessman`s nephew Law-enforcers raiding home of Russian-Armenian businessman`s nephew 
Arsen Nazaryan from Artsakh winner of Hot Heart prize Arsen Nazaryan from Artsakh winner of Hot Heart prize 
Lawyer: Lawyer: "Chief Investigator" "instructed" to search the place where  we, as Christians, enter with reverence
Lawyer: Any new action by security forces at the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin will be considered a Lawyer: Any new action by security forces at the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin will be considered a "deliberate encroachment"
Seyran Ohanyan stripped of his parliamentary immunitySeyran Ohanyan stripped of his parliamentary immunity
Armenian wrestlers return with medals from  European Freestyle  Wrestling Championship  in ItalyArmenian wrestlers return with medals from  European Freestyle  Wrestling Championship  in Italy
NA ruling faction members approved Prosecutor General`s motion to  prosecute Artsvik MinasyanNA ruling faction members approved Prosecutor General`s motion to  prosecute Artsvik Minasyan
Foreign Minister: Armenia has decided to enlarge, increase its  participation in the SCOForeign Minister: Armenia has decided to enlarge, increase its  participation in the SCO
Moody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratingsMoody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratings
RA Investigative Committee  press secretary responds to Galstanyan`s  lawyer`s statement  that  published recording was falsified and taken  out of contextRA Investigative Committee  press secretary responds to Galstanyan`s  lawyer`s statement  that  published recording was falsified and taken  out of context
RA National Security Council Secretary receives Ambassador of SwedenRA National Security Council Secretary receives Ambassador of Sweden
Saakashvili: Pashinyan has officially taken a course on EU membershipSaakashvili: Pashinyan has officially taken a course on EU membership
Swedish Ambassador concludes his mission in ArmeniaSwedish Ambassador concludes his mission in Armenia
Prosecutor General asks for criminal prosecution against a member of  Armenia`s National AssemblyProsecutor General asks for criminal prosecution against a member of  Armenia`s National Assembly
Geghard Foundation: Any state that  supports Aliyev`s rhetoric  complicit with Azerbaijan in the event of future aggression in the  regionGeghard Foundation: Any state that  supports Aliyev`s rhetoric  complicit with Azerbaijan in the event of future aggression in the  region
Kremlin: Moscow and Baku should remain partners and alliesKremlin: Moscow and Baku should remain partners and allies
Ruling elite focuses efforts on internal policy, ignoring external  challenges - opposition MPRuling elite focuses efforts on internal policy, ignoring external  challenges - opposition MP
Official unveiling ceremony of Charles Aznavour`s monument to take  place in Yerevan on July 18Official unveiling ceremony of Charles Aznavour`s monument to take  place in Yerevan on July 18
Preliminary investigation into riots in Syunik completed Preliminary investigation into riots in Syunik completed 
 Armenia`s Ministry of Environment proposes introducing institute of  extended producer responsibility for producers  Armenia`s Ministry of Environment proposes introducing institute of  extended producer responsibility for producers 
Caucasus has no patience to experience one more conflict - Recep  Erdogan Caucasus has no patience to experience one more conflict - Recep  Erdogan 
Armenian premier`s statement order to Prosecutor`s Office - lawyers Armenian premier`s statement order to Prosecutor`s Office - lawyers 
`Terrorism` case means of pressing `unwelcome ones` - lawyer `Terrorism` case means of pressing `unwelcome ones` - lawyer 
Yerevan must meet growing demand for sports competitions - mayor Yerevan must meet growing demand for sports competitions - mayor 
Isolation of clergymen and businessman shows bankruptcy and fears of  ruling regime - expertIsolation of clergymen and businessman shows bankruptcy and fears of  ruling regime - expert
Digital broadcasting to be suspended in Armenia Digital broadcasting to be suspended in Armenia 
Muster of reservists to take place in Armenia Sept 23 to Nov 28Muster of reservists to take place in Armenia Sept 23 to Nov 28
Armenian MP proposes using `political persecution` in place of  `prosecution`Armenian MP proposes using `political persecution` in place of  `prosecution`
Political scientist Karen Igityan prohibited from entering ArmeniaPolitical scientist Karen Igityan prohibited from entering Armenia
Armenia`s premier addresses message concerning Catholicos Garegin II Armenia`s premier addresses message concerning Catholicos Garegin II 
Armenia`s territory cannot be used by third countries for military  operations - RA MFA Armenia`s territory cannot be used by third countries for military  operations - RA MFA 
Armenian MFA summons Russian Ambassador over “hostile propaganda” against it Armenian MFA summons Russian Ambassador over “hostile propaganda” against it
Archbishops Mikael Ajapakhian and Bagrat Galstanian, currently in NSS  detention center, go on hunger strikeArchbishops Mikael Ajapakhian and Bagrat Galstanian, currently in NSS  detention center, go on hunger strike
Holy Etchmiadzin issued statement expressing indignation at   reprehensible campaign unleashed by Holy Etchmiadzin issued statement expressing indignation at   reprehensible campaign unleashed by 
Under  hashtag #MERDZEVOV, march in support of political prisoner,  well-known businessman and entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan starting on  the central boulevard of YerevanUnder  hashtag #MERDZEVOV, march in support of political prisoner,  well-known businessman and entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan starting on  the central boulevard of Yerevan
A march in support of Samvel Karapetyan started in YerevanA march in support of Samvel Karapetyan started in Yerevan
Read more



Commented