“Lori Regional Tourism Management Office” NGO (Lori DMO) expresses its concern regarding the ongoing attempts to search for gold and other metals, as well as to expand mining areas and develop new mines in the territory of Qaraberd settlement of Pambak Community, Lori Region, Republic of Armenia.
Tourism is one of the strategic directions for the development of Lori Region, and according to the Lori Region Sustainable Tourism Development Roadmap until 2027, sustainable tourism is one of the development priorities. Pambak is one of the communities where tourism is steadily developing and has the potential to become one of the largest tourism centers in the region, turning into a favorite destination for tourists visiting Armenia.
The expansion of mining in Qaraberd would remove the settlement from the list of communities with tourism development potential.
The presence of new mines in Qaraberd and the prospect of mining expansion is also a tangible risk for the tourism sector in Vanadzor.
Communities should develop through a strategic approach that ensures sustainability and does not harm ecosystems, while the expansion of mining contradicts this approach.
We urge the local self-government body of Pambak Community to take measures to cancel the public hearings scheduled for August 13, 2025, in Qaraberd, considering that this year the residents of the community have already expressed their clear position three times — opposing the opening of new mines and the expansion of existing ones.
“Lori Regional Tourism Management Office” NGO (Lori DMO)
August 11, 2025 at 12:26