On July 7, 2025, a public hearing was held at the House of Culture in Yeghegnadzor, Vayots Dzor Region, regarding the geological exploration works planned for Gladzor polymetallic deposit for the purpose of future mineral extraction. The hearing was initiated by Meta Gold LLC.
We present the key remarks and questions raised during the discussion.
Company representative Aram Osikyan introduced the project. “This is a polymetallic deposit. The predominant metals are zinc and lead. There’s also some gold, copper, and silver—but in very small quantities. The exploration phase will last a maximum of three years. During this time, up to 5,000 meters of drilling will be conducted, and experimental extraction will take place. If developed, the mine will be exploited solely through underground mining. According to preliminary estimates, the reserves are about 200 tons. A processing plant with a capacity of 150,000 tons is planned, which could operate for nearly 200 years based on those reserves.”
According to Osikyan, the project would create 350 jobs, with a minimum monthly salary of 150,000 AMD and an average salary of 400,000 AMD. He added that the community would receive at least 100 million AMD annually as part of the project’s financial contributions.
Community members in the audience expressed concerns about the potential dangers of mining operations.
One woman from Yeghegnadzor recalled that during the Soviet era, plans to exploit the Gladzor deposit were abandoned when it was determined that the population of the entire Vayots Dzor region would need to be relocated to Russia.
"Back in the Soviet days, a team came to Gladzor and carried out research. I was a child then, but I remember the discussions. The entire population of Vayots Dzor was to be relocated to Russia’s Krasnodar Region. When calculations were made, they realized that relocation would cost more than any potential profit from mining. That’s why the project was abandoned," she said.
Harutyun Gevorgyan, Head of the Initiative Against Exploration, Extraction, and Operation of Gladzor Polymetallic Deposit, presented the anticipated risks if the mine is developed.
“Back in the 1800s, British, then French and German geologists studied this site. In the 1950s, the USSR conducted extensive geological surveys here. According to their published findings, the area contains 13 non-ferrous metals and is highly radioactive. Of the metals identified, 5–7 are toxic to water resources, flora, and fauna. These findings are supported by documents and maps from that era. There was even a specialized medical center opened secretly in the 1960s in Vayq to address radiation-related health issues.
To this day, no vegetation grows on the soil extracted from the mine site—clear evidence of radioactive contamination. Geographically, small streams and numerous springs emerge from the area, flowing into the Arpa and Yeghegis Rivers on either side of the deposit. Part of these waters are diverted through the Arpa–Sevan tunnel into Lake Sevan.”
Hayk Isakhanyan, a Vernashen resident and a member of the same initiative group, addressed Member of Parliament Hrant Bagratyan, who was present at the hearing:
“Vayots Dzor Region has three key water basins that supply both drinking and irrigation water: the upper basin of the Arpa River near Jermuk, the upper basin of the Yeghegis River near the Vardahovit area, and the Tek-Sar–Vayots Sar basin, which feeds the Arpa and Yeghegis rivers. The authorities plan to mine metallic deposits—Amulsar, Gladzor, and the Vardenis polymetallic prospect—in all three of these areas. These contain lead, cadmium, uranium, zinc, copper, gold, silver, thallium, sulfur, and other elements."
Isakhanyan added that petitions with signatures of residents opposing the mining project had been submitted to the organizers and demanded they be attached to and preserved as an official part of the hearing documentation.
Knarik Grigoryan, an epidemiologist, hygienist, and representative of Armenian Women for Health and a Healthy Environment NGO, outlined the potential health risks for local residents.
“You mentioned there’s lead. And, to everyone’s delight, you also said there’s gold, silver, and large reserves of sulfur. But people working in sulfur mines don’t live long—they die within five to seven years. And what does lead mean for our children? Cognitive developmental delays, blood disorders, bone deformities, genetic mutations, and cancer. You say the community will receive some money. But let’s talk healthcare. That money won’t even cover the cost of diagnosing and treating the diseases this mine could cause.”
Environmental lawyer and Director of Forests of Armenia NGO Nazeli Vardanyan emphasized that for the past nine years, the same individuals have repeatedly tried to exploit the Gladzor mine under different company names.
“After nine long years of struggle, we’re back at square one. But we’ve changed—we’ve studied more, seen more, and we no longer believe everything we’re told. The people of Yeghegnadzor, especially those from Vernashen and Gladzor, have stood firm in defense of their land and water, preventing the exploitation of this mine until now.
This isn’t a real project. According to Armenia’s Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and Expertise, you must present a full project proposal. What we’re seeing here doesn’t qualify. There’s no information about the company, no data on environmental impacts. The maps you’ve presented don’t even match earlier ones. Previously, the area overlapped only with the buffer zone of a protected area, and the Ministry of Environment rejected it with a negative conclusion. Now the area extends directly into the protected zone and cuts through internationally recognized wildlife migration corridors, which is prohibited by law.
This company—founded just in May—cannot legally engage in mining according to Armenian legislation, which requires five years of prior mining experience. And the same man—Aram Osikyan—is showing up under a different name and outfit each time.”
Water resource specialist and hydrologist Beniamin Zakaryan spoke about the state of regional water resources:
“According to Government Decision No. 12 of 2021 and the action plan for 2021–2026, 15 priority reservoirs are to be constructed in Armenia, four of which are in Vayots Dzor. One of them, the Vernashen Reservoir, is located very close to the proposed mine site. I urge you to analyze and scientifically assess whether the mine could affect the quality or integrity of the reservoir.”
The final speaker at the hearing was Armine Stepanyan, a teacher at Vernashen Secondary School:
“Once, our children used to come to school healthy. Today, a significant number of them have serious health issues. Go into the schools—see how many children have special needs. Don’t turn our paradise into a pit of disease.
Distinguished gentlemen, if you want to invest, there are plenty of entrepreneurs who need capital. Create jobs elsewhere. Build a cable car from Proshaberd to Tanahat, connect Spitakavor to Smbataberd-see if you don’t earn good money that way. Let drivers work there, not go underground as miners. We live in a bright country-use your bright minds. Let’s be wise, let’s not fight, let’s not harm each other. If 50 people are employed, 151 will fall ill with them. You must not let this paradise turn into a breeding ground for disease.”
Details are available in the video.
July 14, 2025 at 15:38