Karina Manukyan, ArmInfo
Armenia has proved to be in the clutches of the mining industry. Such was the verdict by the Armenian environmental organizations that marked the World Environment Protection Day on June 5. That day was more than relevant for Armenia, environmentalists say.
Environmentalists and public organizations try to draw the attention of the authorities at the unsettled problems in the sphere of nature protection for several years already. Environmentalists are most of all concerned over the continuing implementation of new projects in the mining sector. For instance, development of Hrazdan iron-ore deposit that may lead to an ecological disaster. Environmentalists say that the deposit is at 800 meters from the town of Hrazdan and at 1.5 kilometers from the River Hrazdan. According to environmentalists, the deposit development may pollute the town with heavy density metals and cause dangerous diseases among the local population. Children will be especially endangered, as at less than 2 kilometers from the deposit there are three schools. According to assessments of experts, the development of the deposit will result in pollution
of not only irrigation water, but also drinking water, as there are several springs near the hill of the deposit, and hundreds of people use these springs.
Another not less dangerous fact is the uranium program in Syunik region, Armenia. Although over 14,000 people have already signed against implementation of the uranium program, the government still neglects the discontent of the local residents who have to leave their homes and lands forever. Experts say that implementation of the uranium program in Armenia bears a great ecological hazard. It will result in pollution of ground waters of Syunik region. The situation with environment pollution in Armenia is extremely dangerous. There are 15 tailing dumps and at least 2 toxic waste dumps in the country. However, despite the wide public protest, boring operations for uranium exploration started in Armenia, but brought no result.
Environmentalists say that seeking surplus profits big companies violate the legislation of Armenia and international conventions. Teghout copper and molybdenum deposit development project is the best evidence of that. Environment Protection NGOs had to apply to The Aarhus Convention's compliance committee in Geneva for the given problem. In late 2010 The Aarhus Convention's compliance committee in Geneva reached a decision that Armenia doesn't comply with certain obligations imposed on it as a Convention Party. The matter concerns long-term development of copper and molybdenum deposits in Teghout, Lori Region, when right to efficient public participation related to decision-making was violated (Part 2 of the Aarhus Convention). The communication alleges that judicial practice is still restrictive in the interpretation of the provisions allowing for locus standi (namely the ability of an individual or entity to show at a court that it has sufficient interest and connection to a situation that support its participation in a case before the court) to organizations in environmental cases. Different courts illegitimately rejected the claims lodged by different NGOs. Since 2006 public has been demanding to stop Teghout project. The situation has not changed after the Committee’s decision either: on April 1 2011 the Court of Cassation of Armenia rejected the claim on Teghout.
Environmentalists say that environment in Armenia has become a victim to business and money race. The new Bill On Minerals protects the rights of mining companies in prejudice of the environment. In particular, it does not tax companies for the damage caused to the environment by the waste and unconditioned minerals. Neither fines nor payments are imposed on tailing dumps. Actually, all the mining companies that launched activity in Armenia are registered offshore. Exerts say that the government’s task to development pure agriculture and tourism and the predatory development of deposits contrary to environment protection standards are inherently incompatible. “One cannot speak of tourism and pure production amid unsettled ecological problems and new and new environment polluting projects,” says Karine Danielyan, Head of the Association for Human Sustainable Development.
June 07, 2011 at 15:34