EcoLur
EcoLur thinks that the public hearings on Ardanish marl limestone mine development project held on 22 February should be considered as null and void. EcoLur submitted its opinion to Nature Protection Minister Aram Harutyunyan and “Environmental Expertise” SNCO Head Andranik Gevorgyan.
EcoLur’s letter particularly says, “On 22 February “Mika-Cement” Company in Ardanish Village, Gegharkounik Region, held the public hearings on the project of opencast development of marl limestone. Under Article 8 of RA Law “On Environmental Impact Expert Assessment”, the project shall be presented to the community and be available for familiarization. In the course of the hearings it turned out this is the first hearing in Ardanish, which was confirmed by “Environmental Expertise” SNCO representative. Despite this fact, the project didn’t turn out to be in the community. “Mika-Cement” Company representative didn’t have the project either and we couldn’t find it on the website of Nature Protection Ministry. Village Head Karen Shushanyan stated it was the second hearings and they had the project, while “Mika-Cement” Company representative announced it was the third public hearing. It may be concluded that the hearings were organized rather carelessly, which is particularly characteristic to the very process of public hearings.”
“Mika Cement” Director General briefly described the project, she made the main emphasis on the fact that people know the project for a long time, while production volumes are reduces and environmental impact is minimum. The main thing is to ensure jobs for the villagers.
Neither certain data nor environmental impact figures were presented to the audience. Naira Martirosyan said she would present the project at the upcoming hearings. Nevertheless, the environmental impact part of the project was not discussed. It should be mentioned this project is implemented near “Sevan” National Park next to Ardanish reserve. If mining volumes are reduces, the mining may pose risks to the territorial location due to the new spot of mining.
Then cement dust impacts human health, especially those of employees, which may cause silicosis and other respiratory diseases. We couldn’t learn this impact either. Open mining can destroy landscapes and it’s unknown how it will impact on the ecosystem of “Sevan” National Park.
EcoLur thinks that the hearings should be annulled and new hearings should be held (Read the text in Armenian).
March 09, 2013 at 16:33