“Lydian International” Company Set Radioactive Detectors at Gndevaz Villagers’ Houses

EcoLur

A unique case in the mining sphere of Armenia: “Lydian International” Mining Company set devices to measure radon in Gndevaz Community, Vayots Dzor Region. The company intends to proceed to the opencast development of Amulsar gold mine in 2012, while Gndevaz Village is located in the affected zone of this mine together with other villages such as Gorayk, Saralanj, Saravan and Kechout.

Gndevaz Villagers told EcoLur radioactive detectors were set in 40 houses in January of this year, and they have been taken from several houses to conduct analyses. “We were told these devices are designed to measure radon before the launch of the development so as to have further data for comparison,” Gndevaz Villager Mkhitar Arshakyan told EcoLur in his interview. The soil in Amoulsar has gold, besides silver, lead and other elements. According to the table of chemical and physical features of different types of mines, gold-silver polymetallic mines are characterized by the presence of radioactive elements such as radon, uranium and thorium.

According to Gndevaz Villager Jura Arshakyan, the radiation issue was discussed with the company. “We asked about uranium, but we were explained in understandable manner, there is no uranium. If there is some, the amount is very little, and the company won’t mine these places,” Jura Arshakyan said.

April 27, 2011 at 11:40