EcoLur
We continue to publish materials from Kapan, where Deno Gold Mining Company carries out its activities. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is allotting a loan of 45 million USD to Deno Gold Mining Company with the purpose of establishing high standards and practices in environment, social conditions, health and safety, as well as to increase transparency in the company activities. Deno Gold carries out operations in Bulgaria, Armenia and Namibia. In its turn, the EBRD allots loans only for those countries, which are operation countries of the bank. Out of listed countries, this list includes Bulgaria and Armenia. The project proposal says: “Deno Gold in Armenia will adopt and implement the Plan of Social and Environmental Measures in order to bring Deno Gold activities in line with the EBRD requirements.” The report presents Kapan Aarhus Center Ashot Avagyan’s opinion and that of Lenik Petrosyan, Head of Territorial Environmental Inspection of Syunik Region. One of the main issues that public and locals are concerned with is the intention of Deno Gold Company to proceed to opencast development of Shahumyan gold-polymetallic mine, a part of which includes the territory of Kapan Town.
Ashot Avagyan: The company (Deno Gold Mining) has social programs and it’s difficult for me to assess to what extent they are satisfactory. I know they helped “Azatamart” Committee and kindergartens…There are programs for the upcoming year and funds for these programs are increased. What about environmental programs I know the program on establishing a green zone is ready, and the best specialist in this town Vladik Martirosyan deals with this problem. I also took part in the greening programs and planted trees. What about risks, if the mine is developed in underground method, its impact is the least as compared with opencast development. The tailing dump with closed cycle is also a big plus, as the wastes are not dumped into the river. The Company has opened an Information Center. If I apply to them to be provided the environmental program, I don’t think we will have any problems. Just I haven’t applied yet.
What about Shahumyan gold mine opencast development, I can definitely say that our NGOs oppose to opencast mining. The mine is located too near to the town. Winds blow towards Kapan and the whole dust will be blown off here. Damage will be significant, and no money can compensate people’s health. We oppose to opencast mining. There will be even such people, who will say it’s much better for us to work and to die from cancer in 10 years than to die in 2 years after starvation. In case of such a project, the whole Kapan should take part in the discussions, and if the majority wants to sacrifice themselves for the sake of some funds, it’s already another task.
Lenik Petrosyan: if the project of Shahumyan opencast mining exists, the environmental expertise will give its assessment, which will be laid down in the documents. I assure that all the possible negative consequences for environmental will be taken into consideration. But now, if to leave aside the position I hold (Head of Territorial Environmental Inspection of Syunik Region) I, as a Kapan resident, oppose to the Shahumyan open mining.
Reminder: the previous reports presented the opinion of Deno Gold general Director Ilia Garkov, Syunik regional Ex Governor, Ex Director of Zangezour Copper and Molybdenum Mine Roman Navasardyan, Kapan-based “For Ecological Safety and Developing Democracy” NGO Chairman Rafayel Asryan.
December 25, 2012 at 17:39