EcoLur
"Geghi Gold" LLC is going to conduct mining in the borderline communities in Syunik Region. On 26 May, at 16:00, the public hearings on the environmental impact assessment of Voskedzor mining project will be held in Geghi Rural Municipality, Syunik Region.
Reserves
According to the project, Voskedzor gold-polymetallic mine balance reserves 23316.047 thousand tons in C1+C2. The mine will be developed in the manner of 2 open pits. The mines will be developed for 29.4 years. The possible magnitude of the quakes in the area makes up 8-9 points.
Project Affected Communities
Voskedzor gold-polymetallic mine is planned to be operated in the administrative areas of Geghi and Lor communities, Syunik Region. The surface of the land area needed for the mining complex is 280.8 ha. The other project affected community is Nor Astghaberd.
Only the emissions of inorganic dust from the open pits, ore crushing area were estimated annually 649.97 tons. The economic damage from the total of substances emitted into the environment was estimated 81.97 million AMD.
Water
The main rivers in the area are Voghji and its tributary, Geghi. The technical water from the open mine is planned to take from the Geghi River, and the drinking water - from Geghi Village. Annually 45287.9 m3 technical water will be taken from the Geghi River for industrial purposes, while the total water demand for the mining complex was estimated 180188.1 m3/year, including the technical and drinking water.
It should be mentioned that water intake is carried out from the Geghi River also for Zangezour copper and molybdenum combine. The project doesn’t mention the hydrological data of the Geghi River and risks, how the mining will affect this water resource both in terms of pollution with heavy metals and water intake.
Water and reclaiming
The total surface of the land areas, which will be subjected to different degrees of exposure because of mining, will make up 310.3 ha. The surface of the land areas subject to recovery (reclaiming) will account for 95.7 ha, and its expenses are estimated in the amount of 77,737,000 AMD.
Reclaiming of open pits is not planned. According to the project, the vegetation of cover in the area of the open pit is a rare thing.
The nearest specially protected area of nature is Zangezour Reserve, where the main protected species in Armenian moufflon.
Photo is taken from www.geghigold.am web site
May 26, 2016 at 14:48