RA Environment Ministry issued a negative conclusion on February 6, 2024, to "Sagamar" CJSC's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application for the geological prospecting in "Chqnagh-Armanis" section of Stepanavan mineral field in Lori Region for 2023-2026.
As a rationale for rejection, the conclusion states:
The south-eastern part of the area occupied by the site requested for the purpose of geological prospecting coincides with the western part of the territory of "Gyulagarak" state reserve requested in the application. Contradictory information was presented regarding the distance of the reserve from the area...
A southeastern part of the area requested for the purpose of geological prospecting is located in the catchment basin of a tributary flowing through the area occupied by the Gargar River Basin. As a result of the study, as well as further extraction works, the water and terrestrial ecosystems of the reserve will be negatively affected.
Biodiversity species red-listed in the Red Book of RA animals and the Red Book of RA plants are present in the claimed area.
During the second public discussion held in Arjut settlement, some of the residents expressed their opposition to the geological prospecting and signed as those voting against during the public discussion (also according to the video recording).
February 13, 2024 at 18:07