The civil society sent a letter to a number of heads of state bodies and deputies of the National Assembly, demanding that the public discussion initiated by "Metal Gold" LLC and the minutes drawn up by the company on August 18, 2022 in Gladzor settlement of Yeghegnadzor Community, Vayots Dzor Region, be recognized as illegal and not accept "Metal" Gold" LLC's application for expert assessment.
The letter was addressed to Environment Minister Hakob Simidyan, a copy was dispatched to Minister of Territorial Management and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, Vayots Dzor Regional Head Ararat Grigoryan, Head of Yeghegnadzor Enlarged Community Davit Harutyunyan, Defender of Human Rights Kristine Grigoryan, Vahe Ghalumyan, Chair of NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Taguhi Tovmasyan, Chair of NA Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs, and MPs of NA eighth convocation Sergey Bagratyan, Trdat Sargsyan, and Armen Khachatryan.
The letter says: "On August 18, 2022, Metal Gold LLC initiated the first public discussion on the application for preliminary assessment of the environmental impact of the geological prospecting for the purpose of extracting minerals from polymetallic mine of Gladzor, in the stadium of Gladzor settlement of Yeghegnadzor community, Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia. With this, the company started an environmental impact assessment and expert assessment process.
The discussion initiated by the company was held with many violations, thus exerting pressure on community residents and representatives of civil society.
Mandatory presence of Yeghegnadzor community municipality as the organizer of public discussion was ensured by "Metal Gold" LLC under great pressure and threats.
The main mission of public discussion, i.e the expression of opinions on the application - was not provided, the content and impact of the planned activity on the community was not presented and discussed.
Under such conditions, the voting sheet was prepared by "Metal Gold" LLC with violations and does not reflect the complete opinion of the population of Yeghegnadzor community.
· The conflict and unsafe atmosphere was also contributed to by the fact that for years the claimants to develop Gladzor mine have exercised pressure in the form of legal proceedings.
· As a result of mining, dangers will arise for the reservoir to be built in Vernashen. Water will flow into the planned reservoir directly from the mine area. The projects aimed at development of Gladzor gold-polymetallic mine endanger the expected revenues as a result of the construction of the reservoir and hinder the support of RA government. These resources will also be threatened by the proposed mining operations.
· Gladzor polymetallic mine is located in the immediate area of Yeghegnadzor sanctuary. Mining activities pose a threat to the flora and fauna of the reserve, which is in violation of Article 26 of Mining Code.
· During the public discussion held on August 18, 2022, "Metal Gold" LLC did not inform that Vayots Dzor Regional Municipality gave a negative conclusion to the company's application, this concealing a serious fact.
· Taking into account the above, we demand to recognize the public discussion initiated by "Metal Gold" LLC on August 18, 2022 in Gladzor settlement of Yeghegnadzor community, Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia, as well as the minutes drawn up by "Metal Gold" LLC as illegal and not accept the application of "Metal Gold" LLC for expert assessment.
Links to public hearing videos: link?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen> 1, link 2.
The letter is signed by:
Inga Zarafyan, President of "EcoLur" Informational NGO
Nazeli Vardanyan, Director of "Forests of Armenia" NGO
Tehmine Yenoqyan, President of "Green Armenia" Environmental and Educational NGO
Haykuhi Araqelyan, President of "Evolution of Vayots Dzor" NGO
Oleg Dulgarian, President of "Center for Community Mobilization and Support" NGO
Sona Ayvazyan, Executive Director of "Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center"
Artur Sakunts, Head of "Helsinki Civic Assembly Vanadzor Office"
Tatevik Gabrielyan, Founding Director of "Kria" LLC
Hakob Sanasaryan, President of "Greens Union of Armenia"
Garegin Miskaryan, Director of "Democratic Platform Foundation"
Mariam Mkrtchyan, Barrister
Ruzan Ghazaryan, President of "Work and Homeland" NGO
Mher Mheryan, Founder winemaker of "Agravu Kar" winery
Karine Movsisyan, President of "Young Generation" NGO
Eduard Asatryan, President of "Social Psychological and Statistical Research Center" NGO
Liparit Asatryan, Executive Director of "Vayots Dzor" Environmental Fund
August 25, 2022 at 14:52