The residents of Marz, Shamut, Qarinj, Lorut, Atan and Ahnidzor villages (all known as the Motkor region) in Tumanyan consolidated community, Lori Region, have initiated a signature collection against the operation of the company intending to seek gold in the area called "Bardut" in Martz village.
The residents told "EcoLur" that last week the representatives of "Harmar" LLC visited Martz village to get acquainted with the mood in the settlement, to find out the opinion of the locals on their mining activities. Upon hearing the news of the mining company's visit, local activists immediately activated a petition on www.change.org urging residents of potentially affected villages to join the campaign against the company. Currently, more than 60 people have joined the online signature collection.
"Harmar" LLC visited March in 2021 with the intention of developing a mine in the village, organized a public hearing, which was attended by only a few elderly residents of the village. Tumanyan Municipality did not make a public announcement about those hearings. Upon learning of the news, the residents also started collecting signatures last year, after which the company did not visit another place. The company is currently making a new attempt to change the minds of residents.
In their conversation with EcoLur, the locals mentioned that a hiking trail opens for tourists through the forests near Dsegh to Ahnidzor. They are sure that the mining activity will cause great damage to the development of rural tourism. On the other hand, they are aware of the damage caused to the environment and the health of the population by the existing and non-operating mines opened in Lori Region.
May 12, 2022 at 12:24