ArmInfo
Armenian ecologists call on the authorities to declare a moratorium on issuing licences in
the mining industry.
As chairwoman of the Association "For the love of stable development" Karine Danielyan said, the moratorium should be declared for 5 years.
"Today Armenia has come across serious ecological problems. There are 15 tailings ponds in the republic, which are dangerous for the health of the people and for the environment. Against such a background, the government goes on issuing licences for subsurface use, and ignores development os such spheres like tourism and organic agriculture", - Danielyan said at press-conference.
In particular, she draw attention at the project of the Svarants deposit development which is near the Tatev monastery complex. Millions of dollars were spent for restoration of Tatev and construction of the rope-way. But at present tourists have come across the prospect not so much to admire the culture monument but to
drink the dust of the deposit. Danielyan also said that the road of the Svarants deposit will also run through this territory and the heavy machines transporting ore will be an extra "bonus" for tourists.
Development of the Razdan deposit located directly above Razdan town will also cause problems, as apartment houses and schools are located in 2-3 km far from the deposit and Razdan river runs not far from it, which irrigates the Ararat valley.
"We think that it is necessary to revise the licences given for development of Svarants, Razdan and Sevan deposits, At present the mining industry has become a true threat to the national security", - Danielyan emphasized.
July 25, 2011 at 16:03