In 2025, a total of 291 violations were recorded in the field of soil management, compared to 134 cases in the previous year. Out of recorded violations, 207 related to illegal soil management activities, as the Head of the Environmental and Mining Inspection Body, Hovhannes Martirosyan, stated during the press conference held on 20 January.
In 2025, the volume of illegally extracted mineral resources amounted to approximately 14 million cubic meters, primarily involving the extraction of sand–gravel mixtures and stone. In 2024, the volume of illegally extracted mineral resources stood at approximately 4.5 million cubic meters.
As a result of inspections conducted at metallic mines in 2025, illegal extraction of 82 kg of gold, 661 kg of silver, approximately 161,000 tonnes of copper, and 12,000 tonnes of molybdenum was recorded. These volume assessment reports were submitted to the State Revenue Committee and the Investigative Committee and were included in the overall calculated damage to the state, amounting to approximately AMD 26 billion.
In 2025, by order of the Head of the Inspection Body, a working group was established to examine all tailings storage facilities in Armenia. “There are 21 tailings facilities in Armenia, both operational and closed. Sectoral specialists and scientists were also involved in the assessments. Overall, the situation with tailings facilities is not as poor as it is sometimes perceived. The concerns expressed in communities regarding serious environmental risks associated with closed tailings facilities are largely overstated. We have not recorded any dangerous phenomena,” he noted.
January 30, 2026 at 12:40