11:25, 13 May 2019

Opponents of Amulsar deposit threaten Armenian authorities with new protests

Participants of a motor rally in Armenia against the development of the Amulsar gold deposit. Photo by Tigran Petrosyan for the "Caucasian Knot"

Residents of the city of Jermuk and nearby villages and the activists, who are fighting against exploiting the Amulsar gold deposit, have demanded from Armenian authorities to take their opinion into account when deciding on the gold field.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 11, more than 300 activists took part in a motor rally in Armenia against the development of the Amulsar gold deposit.

The initiator of the development, the "Lydian International" Company, asserts that the gold mining will have a minimal impact on the environment.

In her turn, Inga Zarafyan, an ecologist and the head of the NGO "Ecolur", believes that there are risks of water pollution and release of toxic substances at exploitation of the Amulsar deposit.

According to her story, the mine threatens the resort city of Jermuk and the mineral water "Jermuk".

She has added that the authorities are in a neutral position, because the company may demand compensation for its investments already made.

Ani Khachatryan, an activist, has noted that experts had repeatedly emphasized the harm of exploiting the gold field.

In June 2018, opponents of operating the Amulsar deposit blocked the roads to the mine. Residents of the communities of Jermuk and Gndevaz argued that the gold mining would lead to an ecological disaster.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 12, 2019 at 07:21 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent