EcoLur
“We will all stand up and won’t allow the mine to be developed”, “We want our families to live a healthy life”: Hrazdan residents came up with such decisive statements and on March 31 they gathered in Constitution Square in Hrazdan to take part in the protest demonstration directed against iron mine. (See photos)
Though Fortune Oil Company hasn’t so far submitted any project on Hrazdan iron mine development to the consideration of Government of Armenia and hasn’t received positive environmental impact opinion from the Nature Protection Ministry of Armenia, Executive Director Tee Kiam Poon has stated in 2012 they will start the construction of an ore processing factory in Hrazdan, while after 2 years they will get an annual output of 2 million tons of iron concentrate.
“Public hearings haven’t been conducted and this is a serious reason for us to apply to our authorities,” said Movses Manukyan, “Forests for Future Generations” NGO President.
Hrazdan is already in the zone of serious environmental risks, as it has an operating cement factory, and under the information Hrazdan Aarhus Center Coordinator Anahit Mnacakanyan, “year by year the number of people respiratory problems and cancer increases.”
“The iron mine is in the city, while Hrazdan reservoir is located in the lower part of the mine. Toxic dust will pollute not only air, but also water,” said Anahit Mnacakanyan.
The protest demonstration was summarized by Tigran Grigoryan, Head of Kotayk Region Interests Protection and Support Center: “If needed, we will stop bulldozers with our bodies.”
DEMONSTRATION IN HRAZDAN
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Those gathered at the Constitutional Square of Hrazdan were demanding no exploitation of iron mines. They expressed indignation over the fact that the mines were going to be exploited without taking public opinion into account and that the government could care less about the environmental danger.
Among speakers were representatives of several NGOs and environmentalists who expressed their indignation over the open iron mine exploitation project near their residential area.
The mines will be exploited at a distance of 630-650 meters from the city. In 2012, China's Fortune Oil will launch construction of the reprocessing factory and will have 2 million tons of iron material in two years.
The speeches made without microphones were interrupted with the participants' calls demanding the Hrazdan mayor's speech.
The rally began with a 40 minute delay and the microphones weren't turned on due to a power outage.
April 01, 2011