EcoLur
“Amoulsar – World Bank Investments in Criminal Project” article, authored by independent journalist Tehmine Yenoqyan, has been published on Facebook social network and other mass media. The article particularly says, “Nature Protection Minister Aram Harutyunyan issued a positive opinion to Amoulsar project. On 20 April 2012 demand were posed before “Geoteam” CJSC having submitted this project for environmental expertise - the submit the opinion from the Scientific-expert Committee on Lake Sevan Conservation, to hold public hearings in Jermuk Town, to set up a working group to examine this issue and to table proposals.”
The first demand was implemented: the Scientific-expert Committee on Lake Sevan Conservation submitted its negative opinion on Amoulsar mine development project (http://www.ecolur.org/files/uploads/pdf/amulsar.pdf).
The second item, public hearings in Jermuk, didn’t take place at all. The only discussion took place on 28 November 2011, which was not recognized as hearings and was ended with clashes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlmgAGY-fg). This item can be considered as failed, as Jermuk Town hasn’t been recognized as project affected community so far.
The public hearings were held at Nature Protection Ministry in July 2012. In reply to Lawyer Athur Grigoryan’s questions whether Jermuk was recognized as a project affected community, the Minister replied that Jermuk is a stakeholder, but it’s not documented as a project affected community.
On the same day Minister Aram Harutyunyan gave a positive opinion to the EIA of Amoulsar project with 5 remarks.
How these remarks were implemented: according to RA Law on Lake Sevan, Vorotan and Arpa Rivers, as well as Spandarian and Kechout reservoirs are included in the drainage basin of Lake Sevan. While Article 10 thereof prohibits any activities in the drainage basin, which exceeds the standards of emissions and wastes, activities containing radioactive and toxic compounds, as well as ore processing activities.
Lydian International Company intends to develop the mine in opencast manner and to use cyanic technologies, that’s why Lake Sevan Committee issues its negative opinion (http://www.ecolur.org/files/uploads/pdf/amulsar.pdf ).
Then what about the remark to be guided by Article 26 of RA Code “On Soil”. According to this article, mining is prohibited in places, where there are cemeteries, natural and cultural-historical monuments, habitats of red-listed animals or passage corridors.
In case of Amoulsar all the limitations are valid: in reply to MP (ANC) Aram Manukyan’s enquiry whether there are any historical-cultural monuments in Amoulsar territory, the Culture Ministry of Armenia( Scientific-research Center for Cultural-Historical Impact submitted the description of monuments in those place, where the company intends to mine (http://www.ecolur.org/files/uploads/pdf/amulsar.pdf). WWF carried out studies, which proved the presence of red-listed animals in these territories: brown bear, bezoar goat etc.
Thus, Minister Aram Harutyunyan has all grounds to turn down the project, but instead he approved the EIA.
Reminder: Amoulsar project is funded by World Bank and EBRD, which is implemented with gross violations of the national legislation neglecting all circumstances, law and bylaws, and documents. The World Bank is guided by standards ensuring the safety of population, biodiversity conservation, preservation of cultural heritage etc. Who will be brought to justice, if the violations have already been committed,” the article says.
Note by EcoLur: protecting Tehmine Yenoqyan’s copyright, we leave the title of the article. On our behalf, we would like to specify that IFM funding Amoulsar project is a part of WB.
March 22, 2013 at 17:07