RA Environment Ministry has given a positive opinion to the environmental impact assessment report filed by "GeoProMining Gold" LLC Sotk gold mine and mineral extraction works of the underground mine in Gegharkunik Region.
The company plans to open-pit the mine within 5 years, increasing the current annual productivity of 1.0 million tons to 1.75 million. After that, Sotk mine will be developed underground with an annual productivity of 400,000 tons. According to the conclusion of the Ministry of Environment, the transition to underground operation will reduce productivity, it is planned to carry out exploration works in parallel with mining. The service life of the underground mine is 19 years.
According to the conclusion, after the expansion and re-equipment of the mine, the losses caused to the economy from open pit emissions will amount to 2.45 million AMD per year, during underground operation - 0.43 million AMD. Currently, they amount to 130.4 million AMD per year. Land resources will also suffer. Thus, in the case of project implementation, the damage to land resources was estimated at 299.95 million AMD per year for the open pit, and 1.6 million AMD for the underground mine.
In the test requirements submitted to "GeoProMining Gold", the company was forced to follow RA laws and the implementation of relevant norms, as well as project norms and environmental requirements. Among them, the company was forced to ensure the allocations and measures for the implementation of health care and social programs for the affected population.
October 04, 2022 at 13:42