EcoLur
From 9 October to 12 October the CAO team visited Armenia again, this time to examine Gndevaz Villagers’ complaint on Amulsar open pit mining and heap leach facility project.
Reminder: Lydian International Company as represented by local “Geoteam” CJSC has submitted the EIA of Amulsar project for the environmental expertise of the Nature Protection Ministry.
Gndevaz villagers having signed the complaint are opposing to Amulsar project and IFC participation as a shareholder, i.e. potential profit making from this project. As EcoLur was informed from Gndevaz, CAO representatives held meetings in the village. “We told them that we don’t want to run negotiations with the company, we against Amulsar project, as it bears extremely high risks for us and let them, i.e. the CAO, check to what extent the project complies with the international standards,” the villagers said.
Gndevaz villagers, journalist Tehmine Yenoqyan said, “Under the project, the heap leach facility will be located in a distance of 1,5-2 km from my house. I have an apricot orchard. Even now people say they won’t buy our apricots, as our products will be polluted with heavy metals, as the plant will be located nearby. So Amulsar project will immediately impact me in all aspects, both ecologically and materially, if I and my relatives lose profits. It will also impact my health. Those who disagree with the project are pressurized. People from Gndevaz phoned me and said they were being threatened that their signatures are already in National Security Service. I asked about it at the hearings . I asked what it means and why the signatures are at the NSS, who threatens (the first public hearings on Amulsar project were held in the village on 25 August.)”. Both the company and the village head told me no threats were made. But even in the hall the company employees started threatening me and I can understand, if gossips spread even at their level, it affects on people.”
October 14, 2014 at 14:25