EcoLur
“AT Metals” administration has responded to the concerns of the environmental society in regard with Meghrasar gold-polymetallic mining project.
Below is “Syunyats Yerkir” correspondent Vahram Orbelyan’s interview with Alexey Sereda, Deputy Director General of “AT Metals” LLC.
- Alexey Nikolaevich, there are opinions that 60% of the Meghrasar mine will be located in the area of “Arevik National Park”.
- It’s not true. All the matters with Arevik National Park are settled, there was a disputable matter in regard with several acres, but now it’s settled. Currently “Arevik” National Park is not covered any longer. Near the mine there is no water basin as such. The mine will be developed in opencast manner, I mean it will be open pit mining, but so far no explosions are set.
Heavy metals won’t be available as such in the production. If explosions are carried out, toxic materials won’t be available.
Currently we are actively cooperating with the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, moreover, at this stage neutralization of radioactive wastes on the basis of the elements available in our mine is in progress. Our ore contains sufficient amount of magnitude up to 10%, which has quality of neutralizing radiation under certain conditions. Our company has developed a project, which has been approved by the IAEA and the Armenian Government. An expertise is in progress, afterwards we will be able to clean radioactive wastes generated by the operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. Besides, our mine contains uranium and thorium, rather insignificant – 1/100,000, and secondly, it doesn’t matter to what extent it sounds paradox, they are not radioactive, which is rare phenomenon in nature. That is, our mine has natural radiation background, which is confirmed by the Ministry for Emergency States.
The first public hearing was held in August last year, afterwards there were environmental hearings: I think that the greens hinder to Armenia’s development. In my opinion, this is favourable for some Western forces, so as Armenia to be poor, not to construct anything and not to do anything. It’s my personal opinion as a Russian. I think that huge finds are invested to limit any development and construction here. Everybody supports nature protection and nobody tends to damage nature, as everything must be done within permissibility ranges. I have the feeling that it’s beneficial for some people that Armenians remain poor. Again I will outline, it’s my personal opinion.
November 13, 2014 at 16:55