EcoLur sent a letter to Head of RA Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body Gnel Hasratyan on Kavart mine in Syunik region. The letter says:
“Dear Mr. Hasratyan,
Under decree No. 30-A of RA Minister of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources, dated on March 27, 2009, “Dino Gold Mining” Company CJSC (Kapan OPC) was granted certificate of renunciation No. 22 from the territory of the Central Lenhanqer mine (Kavart district open pit mine) of Kapan Mine, based on the application filed by the Company N 05-2079.29.12 -2008. It should be noted that Clause 4.1 of the certificate states that the certificate is issued on the condition of performing the works envisaged by the conservation works project, and according to Clause 4.2, those works must be performed by the Company. It is also known that the circumstance was neglected that the conservation works were carried out in violation with the requirements of resolution N 319-Ն dated in 2013 “On Approving Procedure of Freezing Mountain Excavations and Structures Related to Mining of Natural Resources and Annulling Resolution of RA Government N 485-N Dated on 31 March 2005”.
Nonetheless, on December 2, 2010, the mine passed under the responsibility of the Republic of Armenia, represented by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, according to the acceptance act approved by the Minister and drawn by Mining Control Inspection of Subsoil Staff of RA Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
As before, acid currents from Kavart mine area pass through a 300-meter open canal near residential houses in Kapan Town, through the existing production area of Kapan OPC, leaving their negative impact on human health, environment, whereas on February 26, 2021, it passed through the production premises of "Chaarat Kapan" CJSC.
The study of the facts shows that the canal flows and the color of the effluents change with a certain frequency, which indirectly speaks about the external influence on the closed mine. There are hints about that in the response addressed to "KAPAN IN” by Kapan OPC on 22-02-2019, where, among other clarifications, it says: "The running water of this stream is encumbered by the rights of another soil manager; any action of the Company against the latter can be considered as a violation of the rights of another soil manager.
Based on the above-mentioned circumstances, please conduct inspections at the Central Minefield of Lenhanker, find out the identity of the alleged illegal soil managing organization, calculate the amount of damage caused to the state by illegal soil manager and submit the materials to RA Prosecutor's Office, as well as RA Government as competent state body.
To submit a proposal to RA Government on the final conservation of Kavart mine and the cessation of hazardous mineral waters.
We do ask you to inform our organization about the work done in accordance with Article 6 of RA Law on Freedom of Information."
Photo Credit: www.kapan.in
March 29, 2021 at 19:01