Shamlugh copper deposit (2007)
Shamlugh copper deposit
Risk Level: 3
Parameter | Data | Level |
---|---|---|
Cu, mg/kg soil | 34218 | 3 |
Pb, mg/kg soil | 1099 | 3 |
Zn, mg/kg soil | 3186 | 3 |
S, mg/kg, soil | 131420 | 3 |
Disastrous Condition | Critical Condition | Normal Condition |
Shamlukh Mine Caused Disastrous Condition to Environment
EcoLur
As of 01.01.2007, the reserves of Shamlukh copper mine made up as follows: ore (balanced reserves under industrial categories) – 4456.67 thousand tons, off-balance – 1388.5 thousand tons, balanced reserves of copper – 152.5 thousand tons, off-balance – 9.89 thousand tons, gold - 825 kg (1772.7 thousand tons in ore), silver (balance) – 28.491 tons (3496.8 thousand tons in ore), selenium – 29.9 tons, (2925 thousand tons in ore), tellurium – 56.2 tons (2172.8 thousand tons in ore). As it’s already been mentioned, Shamlukh mine territory has ores containing lead and zinc, which haven’t been mines (reserves left unchanged), lead – 4.9 thousand tons (286 thousand tons in ore), zinc – 14.2 thousand tons (286 thousand tons in ore).
The mine is located in Tumanyan area, Lori Region, 9 km west from Akhtala railway station, near Shamlukh Village.
These data are taken from the book by Hrachya Avagyan, Chief Specialist at the Institute of Economics of NAS RA, Dr in Geological Sciences, entitled “Ways and Prospects of Mining and Metallurgical Industries in the Republic of Armenia” (Yerevan 2011, “Gitutyun” Publishing House, Institute of Economics of NAS RA).
Under EcoLur’s Ecological Risk Model, the mine hazard category is 3, i.e. caused disastrous condition to human health and environment due to the excessive concentrations of copper, lead, zinc and sulfur.
Under the official information provided by Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, as of 01.07.2013 the right to soil management of Shamlukh copper mine for mining has been issued to “Akhtala Ore Dressing Combine” CJSC.