EcoLur
Through Medimax Agency Geoteam Company disseminated a statement in reply to the public discussion of Amoulsar gold mine development in regard with biodiversity.
Reminder: the discussion was held on 21 May by the Center for Developing Jermuk (see the digest of news on http://www.ecolur.org/hy/news/mining/the-zone-of-amoulsar-project-on-opencast-gold-mining-is-the-habitat-of-redlisted-animal-and-plant-species-photos/3849/). Independent experts also took part in the discussions such as WWF Armenia Head Karen Manvelyan, PhD in Biological Sciences, field researcher Alexander Malkhasyan, Eleonora Gabrielyan – President of Armenian Botanical Society, Dr. in Biological Sciences, Professor, Anush Nersisyan – PhD in Biological Sciences, botanist, NGOs, activists and press. The company didn’t take part in the discussions. Nevertheless, at the invitation of the Center for Developing Jermul the representative of the Acopian Center for the Environment of the American University of Armenia – Karen Aghababyan took part in the discussions, who studied groups of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and bugs in the territory of Amoulsar by the order of Geoteam Company.
The statement of Geoteam particularly says:
“Geoteam call for NGOs to act further in more responsible manner. On 14 and 16 May Geoteam Company received an invitation from “Center for Developing Jermuk” NGO to take part in the conference devoted to the studies of biodiversity in the territory of Amoulsar gold mine development. Geoteam informed organizers that It won’t take part in the conference and it had organized public discussions in the communities located in the project affected zone on 12 and 30 March 2012…The Center was also informed that in June 2012 Geoteam intends to hold public hearings on international environmental and social assessment of the project. The Company also informed that the project leaders wouldn’t be able to take part in the conference due to being busy and not being in the country. Unfortunately, the Center refused to respect the company’s position and held a conference, which turned into a public discrediting of the company without giving an opportunity to the company to express its own viewpoint.
Geoteam is particularly disappointed with persistent statements and allegations by EcoLur. We think that several comments by EcoLur are intentional not truthful and libelous. These comments discredit the company both at national and international levels.
Geoteam supports the civic society, transparency and right to expression. We respect different viewpoints and are actively involved in the works of NGOs, which refer to the research and developing mining industry in their programs. Our company denies any corruption and won’t stand any allegation in corruption. Geoteam in its projects runs the policy of ensuring high corporate, environmental and social standards.
May 25, 2012 at 14:49