EcoLur
Every year Geghanush tailing dump in Syunik region of the RA occupies 10 ha of new areas. They are mainly the administrative areas of Geghanush community. According to Geghanush residents a new agreement will be signed between the Municipality and "Dundee Precious Metals Kapan" CJSC operating the tailing dump to increase the area of the tailing dump.
Overall 568624.0 tons of tails (solid) are annually filled into Geghanush tailing dump, and according to the residents the area of the tailing dump will still be increased vertically by 15 meters.
"8-9 people out of 10 are sick in our community... People don't buy our meat, potatoes and greens in the market.... We were initially against the reconstruction of this tailing dump... we have stopped the work of heavy equipment for months, but what is the benefit?”, Geghanush residents were complaining.
In the absence of adequate compensation they are comforted with the company's good will. "Dundee Precious Metals Kapan" SJCS transfers 3 million AMD for renting 21 ha of area per year. Besides in the last three years the company has been carrying out programs costing 10 million AMD in the village.
Ivan Kostandyan, Governor of Geghanush didn't have such a good imagination of the risks and damages of the tailing dump.
"The murmers that the tailing dump is toxic, are impressed in people's brains... Because of these splits people don't buy the food of Geghanush residents... What is the area of Geghanush contaminated with, who has proved? Can you prove what damage is caused to our people by the tailing dump?... Journalists cause more damage than the tailing dump itself", said Ivan Kostandyan. "I wrote to the chief director of Kapan hospital, demanded the number of patients. According to last year's statistics there were 144 patients with different diseases from our community, three of which are incurable".
Note: According to official data Geghanush has a population of 356 people.
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November 25, 2014 at 16:30