On June 6, 2025, the first public hearing on the reassessment and geological prospecting of the Azatek gold-polymetallic deposit in Vayq Community—initiated by “Vayq Gold Resources” LLC—was held at the administrative office of Zaritap settlement of Vayq. The hearing was moderated by Zaritap Administrative Head, Mamikon Muradyan.
A representative of “Vayq Gold Resources” LLC presented details of the proposed project.
“In field conditions, geological mapping, mechanical and chemical drilling of boreholes, sampling, and laboratory analysis of the useful components of the ore are planned,” the company representative stated.
Hayk Isakhanyan, a resident of Vayots Dzor, inquired whether the company had ever been engaged in similar activities before and what connection it had with “Vayq Gold” LLC. A company representative responded: “There is a mutual agreement between ‘Vayq Gold’ LLC and ‘Vayq Gold Resources’ LLC. By mutual consent, all authorities have been transferred to ‘Vayq Gold Resources’ LLC.”
It should be noted that, according to publicly available information on metal mining activities (dated May 26, 2025), the soil management license of “Vayq Gold” LLC was revoked by Order No. 711-A on December 19, 2019. The order has been appealed, with a demand to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia to annul Order No. 711-A of December 19, 2019.
Hayk Isakhanyan also stated: “Nothing has grown on the waste from Azatek and Ghazma mines extracted 70 years ago. What does this mine contain, that after bringing it to the surface, no vegetation can grow on it? After your operations, you won’t be processing the poor rocks—you’ll just bring them and dump them across our hills and gorges. Thirty years ago, Vayots Dzor chose a development path focused on winemaking, horticulture, and clean food. Twenty-five thousand people support their families this way. We believe these two industries are incompatible: either Vayots Dzor will develop mining or winemaking. The two don’t mix. Winemakers will have to indicate the distance between their vineyards and your mine on their wine certificates.”
Isakhanyan provided company staff with information about the risks and threats the region would face if the mine is exploited, demanding that this information be included in the public hearing record.
Oleg Dulgaryan, human rights advocate and president of the "Community Consolidation and Support Center" NGO, said:
“This cannot be considered a true public hearing where everyone could freely express their opinion. Local authorities are obligated to ensure an environment where any citizen of the Republic of Armenia can speak and be heard.”
It is also noted that “Vayq Gold Resources” LLC held another public hearing in the administrative office of Azatek settlement. There too, a company representative presented what is planned under the project.
During the meeting, a local resident proposed the publication of specific details about what jobs would be created and what investments would be made in the settlement, as well as the disclosure of previous research and studies conducted by “Vayq Gold” LLC. Concerns were also raised about the risks posed by underground blasting operations.
June 06, 2025 at 17:37