EcoLur
“Healthy Hrazdan” civic initiative intends to propose to Serzh Sargsyan to develop a strategy on mining industry. They have addressed a letter to the president, which particularly says, “...At least ten licenses for opencast development and geological prospecting of metallic mines have been issued only in the area of Hrazdan, including Hrazdan iron mine, Tezhsar nypheline-syenite (aluminium) mine, Hanqavan molybdenum mine, as well as gold mines such as Meghradzor, Sarnaghbyur, Zar, Archasar, Lusajur, South and New. In case all these mines are developed, the Marmarik River will turn into a dead zone in a range of 35 km, from Hrazdan to Hanqavan, with all its beautiful landscapes, specially protected areas will be detructed, together with Hanqavan mineral waters, Arzakan and Meghradzor reserves, Dilijan National Park. It should be added that this zone is a resort with specific thermal springs, recreation center and children camps. Tsaghkadzor international resort closely adheres to this area, where millions of investments have been made. Our opinion is not taken into consideration, when companies hold public hearings in small villages breaking down the situation into separate projects without risk assessment and environmental impact assessment enabled by the legislation in force.
Respectable President and Presidential Candidate Serzh Sargsyan
We propose to temporarily suspend the issuance of new licenses to metallic mines to ensure transparency and better understanding of the processes in mining industry. Then, to set up an ad hoc body by the government to examine the situation for the further development of a complex strategy, to assess resources, perspectives, environmental problems, tourism development and agriculture... Several months ago we made the same proposal to the National Assembly, but, unfortunately, no reply has been received so far.
January 31, 2013 at 00:54