The company Zov-Guzh LLC intends to conduct studies in the western and eastern sections of the Kharaberd gold deposit for the purpose of mineral extraction.
New public hearings regarding the planned geological exploration works are scheduled to take place on August 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at the office of the administrative head of Kharaberd, a settlement within the enlarged Pambak community of Lori Region.
Public hearings held earlier, on July 9, in Kharaberd proceeded under rather tense conditions.
During the July 9 meeting, Pambak’s mayor, Suren Kostandyan, stated:
“First, we need to know what we have in this area-whether it’s stone, gold, water. Only after that, if useful minerals are discovered, will they come for extraction. You will decide whether to allow mining here or not.”
The president of the NGO “Center for Community Mobilization and Support,” Oleg Dulgaryan, commented:
“Since 2021, this is already the 11th public hearing regarding geological exploration at the Kharaberd site. This might be the fifth company that has come here. They've already been rejected ten times, or things simply didn’t work out.”
He also informed the public that in 2022, experts from the Czech NGO “Arnika” took samples in Kharaberd area. The results showed elevated levels of heavy metals in both the environment and the bodies of local residents.
“We conducted research here. There is also the presence of lead, which cannot occur without uranium. There’s heavy contamination. Do we really want to turn this entire village into a mining zone? People here are building hotels, starting businesses, there are prospects for agriculture. Yes, the area is rich in gold and polymetallic deposits, but that doesn’t mean the entire country should become a mining site,” Dulgaryan said.
The administrative head of Kharaberd, Yurik Shavelyan, addressed the company representatives directly:
“All of you will eventually leave. It’s the people of this village who will remain. Our region is located in a uranium zone, and that uranium is not just a danger to us, but also to the people of Pambak, Meghrut, and Vanadzor. As the local leader, it’s your decision, but I stand with the people.”
One of the local residents added:
“None of our villagers agree to opening a mine here.”
Following this statement, the atmosphere of the hearing escalated further, resulting in pushing, shoving, and conflict among participants. The dispute eventually spilled outside the building.
Seeing that the tensions between supporters and opponents of the mining project could not be calmed, Suren Kostandyan concluded:
“Since the villagers can’t come to a consensus-with the youth on one side and the elders on the other-I don’t want any problems in this village. For now, we are suspending the hearing. Let’s all go back to our daily work.”
July 18, 2025 at 14:19