On September 11, 2025, the Council of Pambak Community in Lori Region approved the application filed by “Zov-Gouzh” LLC to conduct geological studies in Qaraberd settlement areas for the purpose of mineral extraction. The decision was adopted with 12 votes in favor and 2 against.
Reminder: almost a month earlier, on August 19, the issue had again been on the agenda of the Pambak Council.
Raisa Minasyan, Secretary of the Pambak Municipality Staff, told EcoLur that the Council had not given consent at that time. “The issue was discussed on August 19. Out of the 12 Council members, 6 voted in favor, 3 against, and 3 abstained. Six votes in favor was not yet a majority, so no decision was adopted. For that reason, the issue was included again on the agenda of the session to be held on September 11. That was required by law, since another vote had to take place. On September 11, 14 Council members were present. As a result of the vote, the decision was adopted with 12 in favor and 2 against,” she said.
During the session held on September 11 Council, it was noted that on August 28, Qaraberd residents had addressed Pambak Mayor. “They stated that they supported the geological study. They asked that before making a decision, their opinion be taken into account, because they are the ones living there and they know their needs,” Minasyan noted.
Oleg Dulgaryan, President of “Center for Community Consolidation and Support” NGO, stated during the session that they had prepared speeches on the issue. “After the adoption of the decision, our speeches become meaningless. The Council members should have listened to the information prepared by our partners from the Czech organization ‘Arnika’ regarding the Qaraberd mine before voting,” he emphasized.
Dulgaryan also questioned the fact that residents who had initially opposed geological studies in Qaraberd were now expressing support. He described the Council session as anti-democratic.
After the discussion of all issues on the session agenda, Pambak Mayor Suren Kostandyan eventually gave the floor to Indřich Petřík, co-founder of the Czech organization “Arnika.” The Czech expert presented the results of a 2023 study carried out in Qaraberd, according to which high concentrations of heavy metals were found both in the environment and in the bodies of local residents.
“If you give permission for a new mine, what has already been found will double, which violates people’s right to live in a healthy environment,” he said. Petřík also presented what specific effects the identified heavy metals could have on human health.
September 12, 2025 at 16:34