EcoLur
There are many environmental challenges in Armenia today: overexploitation of natural resources, environmental pollution, illegal logging, waterlogging of Lake Sevan, poor management of water resources and waste. EcoLur expert Victoria Burnazyan presented Armenia's environmental challenges to German journalists during the meeting at EcoLur Press Club held on November 6.
German journalists have arrived in Armenia within the framework of the German-Armenian Exchange Forum of Journalists, jointly organized by the Secretariat of Armenia’s National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and the German Deutsche Gesellschaft NGO, funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The number 1 challenge in Armenia is the negative impact of mining on the environmental and social situation. Qajaran Copper and Molybdenum Mine and Amulsar Gold Quartzite Mining projects were presented.
The key question is how the negative impact of Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine, 70 percent of the shares of which are owned by German Cronimet Holding Company, is expressed.
Response: environmental pollution as a result of the accidents in Artsvanik Tailings Dump and tails leaks, dust contamination with heavy metals coming from the mine, destruction of green zones in the tailings dump and dumping sites, loss of agricultural land and decrease in agricultural products and non-competitiveness in the market.
The reporters were also interested in the situation surrounding the Amulsar Gold Quartzite mining project. The other challenge is related to the threats to Lake Sevan ecosystem. Waterlogging of Lake Sevan threatens the irreversible loss of water of strategic importance to Armenia. Journalists were also presented with the issues related to the forests of Armenia. German journalists will publish articles as a part of the program.
November 13, 2019 at 16:01