EcoLur
"Tatstone" LLC intends to re-operate Litch copper mine in Syunik Region. The company wants to receive water use permit of the water intake from Ayrijur Tributary to the Meghri River from Water Resources Management Agency of RA Nature Protection Ministry. On 30 January, at the public discussions, Water Resources Management Agency Head Edgar Pirumyan noted that the company has applied to receive a water permit for the water intake of 1.74 lps. 'The company wants to take water for the mine, Litchq mine, which is currently not operated,' Edgar Pirumyan noted.
The participants of the discussions were Water Use Permit Unit Head Sevak Matilyan, Environmental Front Member Levon Galstyan, Harut Stepanyan born in Litchq Village, EcoLur journalist Monica Yeritsyan: "Tatstone" LLC didn't have any representative.
"Tatstone" LLC receive the positive opinion on Litchq mining in December 2015. The company developed the mine till May 2018. During the public discussions, Water Use Permit Unit Head Sevak Matilyan informed that the company didn't previously have a water use permit for the water intake from Ayrijur Tributary to the Meghri River. AEF member Levon Galstyan noted that thus"Tatstone" LLC had violated one of the requirements in the EIA opinion issued in 2015.
'The EIA opinion issued in 2015 clearly says they need to receive water use permit before they start their operation. As a matter of fact, the company had operated till May 2018 without having a water use permit thus violating the requirements of the EIA. We think this documents must be recognized as invalid,' Levon Galstyan said.
'Even if we provide a water use permit, there is a condition set to present the project for the environmental impact assessment within one year. Let's not mix water use with mining. We are also interested not to issue water use permits if there are violations, but substantiated reasons shall be presented,' Sevak Matilyan said.
'There is no water in the river after mid-June. Agarak copper and molybdenum combine take huge amounts of water 4-5 km above Litchq mine at a distance of 200 me next to the mine, take the drinking water of Meghri Town, while there is an HPP taking water 100 meters downwards. There is no water left in the river after the HPP,' said Harut Stepanyan, a member of the discussions.
Edgar Pirumyan noted that the citizens can submit their objections to the company project in writing to the Ministry within 3 days. 'Public opinion is a ground to review or reject the project,' Edgar Pirumyan outlined.
January 31, 2019 at 15:27