ArmInfo. The license of the notorious security organization Lydian Armenia - "Special Security Service" LLC - has been suspended. According to the Armenian Ecological Front, the corresponding decision was made on August 28, based on the conclusion of the Licensing Commission operating in the RA Police.
It is noteworthy that earlier Lydian Armenia circulated a message that since September 1, the company has been cooperating with a new security organization, since the term of the contract with the "Special Security Service" has expired. Meanwhile, in reality, the Licensing Commission revealed a number of violations in this LLC, in connection with which its license was suspended. Recall that the "Special Security Service" has been guarding the territory of the Amulsar deposit since June 30 of this year, and from the very first day its activities have caused a heated situation near the mine and clashes with activists and local residents. The commission found that 18 security guards of the LLC did not receive the certificates of the commission for checking the qualifications of bodyguards and security guards, acting under the RA Police; labor contracts were concluded with 50 more persons at the stage of their passing courses on the qualifications of a security officer. In addition, it was established that on July 1 and 17, with the participation of guards from the "Special Security Service", clashes with activists, bearing clear signs of hooliganism, took place. And although on this part, it was refused to initiate a criminal case due to the absence of signs of a crime, meanwhile, as a result of these actions, public order was disrupted. The commission in its opinion also pointed out that the "Special Security Service" did not fulfill a number of requirements arising from the provisions of the Law "On Licensing".
Taking into account the above, the Armenian Ecological Front demands to pay attention to the fact that Lydian Armenia cooperates with organizations that allow illegal actions.
The total cost of the Amulsar project is $ 370 million. The life of the deposit is 10 years and 4 months, with an average annual production of 200 thousand ounces of gold planned. We add that Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of the British offshore Lydian International. Environmentalists and ordinary citizens are concerned that the exploitation of the mine may lead to the pollution of the mineral underground waters of Jermuk and Lake Sevan. In addition to the water basin, the public is also concerned about the possible presence of uranium manifestations at the deposit. Environmentalists and activists demand that the positive conclusion on the EIA project be invalidated, since it was adopted with legislative violations, and the document itself contains problems and shortcomings. Earlier, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced the completion of its participation in the project for the development of the Amulsar field.