EcoLur
Armenian-Russian joint enterprise - “AT Metals” LLC has submitted the Meghrasar open pit gold mining project to the “Environmental Expertise” SNCO of Nature Protection Ministry. Meghrasar gold mine is located in Syunik Region, 5 km north-east from Litchq and Tashtun Villages.
The project plans to develop three open pits consecutively. The estimated reserves of the mine are as follows: ore – 345,392 tons, gold – 1602.9 kg, silver – 4496.52 kg. Annually 50,000 tons of ore will be mines, while the total duration of the mining will be 7.5 years. The total area of the mine is 73 ha. The area of the waste area will account for 33.5 ha. The ore will be processed in the experimental plant in Tashtoun, which is located in a distance of 9-10 km from the open mines. Under the project, Tashtoun experimental complex will be located in high mountainous region, where red-listed animals inhabit. The area has 29 red-listed bird species, 15 red-listed mammals and one red-listed insect. RA Code on Subsoil, Article 26 (3), bans soil management, if the area has red-listed animal or plant species or migration corridors.
The mine will be developed via explosions. Under the project, one of the unfavourable factors for Tashtoun and Litchq Villages is the noise during mining. Besides the noise, people’s health will be undermined with mining dust rich in toxic substances and harmful gases, as well as increase in radiation background, which is not mentioned in the project. According to “Table of Chemical Impact of Different Mines on Environment”, if a mine contains both gold and silver, radioactive background is available in the particular mine.
August 07, 2014 at 18:53