EcoLur
The issue of the land fill for industrial wastes near Alaverdi (Lori Marz) known as Madan Land Fill most concerns the town inhabitants. The land fill containing toxic substances, particularly arsenic is not fenced, its surface is open and wind spreads toxic dust all over the surroundings, meanwhile animals pasture near the land fill site.
In the past the land fill belonged to Alaverdi Copper Smelting Combine that was purchased by “Manes-Vallex” in due course.
EcoLur’s questions were replied by Foreign Relations and Information Department of Vallex Company Group comprising ACP (Armenian Copper Program) CJSC, the current owner of Alaverdi Combine.
1. Why did Vallex Company relieve itself of the responsibility for Madan Land Fill and passed the buck to Manes Company, if Alaverdi Combine was purchased by these companies in one person?
The land fill for harmful wastes mentioned by You is the property of “Nonferrous Metals Plant Manes” CJSC (“NMPM” CJSC) and the responsibility for carrying out the work to support the appropriate technical state vests with this company. The land fill never belonged to any of the companies-members of Vallex Group (Group named “Vallex” is non-formal union of several companies sharing common principles and run by a single group of professionals. There is no legal entity with such a name registered in the territory of the Republic of Armenia., consequently in legal context, there is no subject for “liability”.) and none of the companies, including “Armenian Copper Program” CJSC has ever been responsible for the state of the land fill.
“Armenian Copper Program” CJSC (“Manes ev Vallex” CJSC before) was founded on 09.08.1997 as a joint enterprise through joint investments of “NMPM” CJSC and “Vallex F.M. Establishment” foreign company. According to the founding agreement, “NMPM” CJSC invested production facilities as a payment for chartered capital, while “Vallex F.M. Establishment” invested financial resources. Each party acquired shares equal to the invested funds. In 1998 “NMPM” CJSC sold its shares to a third party, consequently ceased to be the member of “Manes ev Vallex” CJSC and since then it has no legal connection with “Vallex” Company Group.
2. Rejecting our information, Company Representative Vahram Avagyab states that the company does not dump industrial wastes in Madan Land Fill. We would ask you to mention what are the volumes of industrial wastes at Alaverdi Combine, what it exactly consists of and the site where it is dumped.
“Armenian Copper Program” Company does not and did not dump any wastes in Madan Land Fill. The company hasn’t got any wastes subject to storing, and consequently special measures required for it. The industrial wastes (dross ( Chemical composition for dross - Fe/FeO (36%-52%), SiO2 (30%-38%), CaO (1%-2%), MgO (0.4%-1.8%), Al2O3 (6%-12%), Cu (0%-07%), S in bound state (1%-1.5%), As (0.001-0.1%), Pb/PbO (0.005%-0.1%), Zn/ZnO (0.05%-0.7%).)) from the metallurgic workshop are vendible products, as a matter of fact, as they serve as raw materials for several building materials.
3. Vallex Company publicly announced time and again that it intends to run a policy for environment preservation in those territories which are under negative impact of the combine belonging to the company. Does the company intend to carry out environmental measures in the territory of Madan Land Fill? We would ask you to submit explanations in any case, both negative and positive.
“Vallex” Company Group is actually running a policy for environment preservation and minimizing negative impact of its activity on environment.
“Armenian Copper Program” Company annually makes ecological payments to the Armenian budget for exceeding maximum permissible limit for emissions into atmosphere. A certain part of these payments are allocated to Alaverdi Town budget, including for the financing of environmental programs. Besides these payments “Armenian Copper Program” Company plans to intensify its actions in environmental sphere and to allot funds for environmental measures in the frames of social responsibility. Particularly, the company finances environmental events carried out in the territories of Alaverdi Town and adjacent communities through “Manes” Charity Foundation.
October 06, 2009