EcoLur
'Shnogh and Teghout resident are now conscious that their 'green' rights are violated. They don't have clean water, clean soil and a healthy lifestyle. Their rights to property have also been abused, as the land areas of the residents were purchased by 40-50 AMD by recognizing eminent domain. They say they have been deprived of their property. Currently when the operation of Teghout Ore Processing Combine has been stopped, and the residents are on forced leave and don't know whether or not they will be called back to work,' said 'EcoLur' Website Editor-in-Chief, Expert Victoria Burnazyan at the press conference held at Noyan Tapan Press Agency on 2 February.
Victoria Burnazyan presented the problem with the safety of the tailing dump of Teghout copper and molybdenum mine operated by 'Teghout' CJSC. She cited the assessment made in the World Bank's report 'Armenia - Strategic mineral sector sustainability assessment' in 2016.
According to the company project, the 110 ha of the tailing dump shall place up to 176 million cum tails, nevertheless, the World Bank report says that the capacity of the tailing dump is 120 million cum. The company intends to expand the mine area and to increase the productivity from 7 million tons to 15 million tons. In this case, the tailing dump will get fuller earlier and will reach 213 million cum. Huge investments are needed to bring the tailing dump into a normal and safe state.
Recently 'EcoLur' had sent an inquiry to 'Vallex' Group Company Chairman Valeri Mezhlumyan and one of the questions referred to the compensation of the damage caused to the local residents. Nevertheless, Vallex didn't answer this question.
In 2018 the Inspection Body will eventually hold an inspection at 'Teghout' CJSC, which is a success, according to Victoria Burnazyan. She also considers a success the fact that Teghout and Shnogh residents, most of whom backed the Teghout project, have changed their position having seen the emerged problems. They are carrying out signature collections and demanding from state bodies to find solutions to their problems.
Photo: noyan-tapan.am
February 05, 2018 at 11:38