EcoLur
Vayots Dzor Region, where tourism and ecologically friendly agriculture can be developed, may be extremely disastrous for the development of these aspects. These concerns were expressed by WWF Armenia Karen Manvelyan, “Currently geological prospectings of mines are carried out in Vayots Dzor, which may hinder our programs, for example, the program on establishing eco-corridors,” WWF Armenia Director said. “Ecocorridors shall ensure the preservation of most vulnerable species, particularly, the Asian leopard, Armenian moufflon, Caucasian brown bear etc.”
EcoLur is attaching the list of mines located in Vayots Dzor Region and brief information on them.
Amulsar Gold Mine
Amulsar gold mine will be developed by Lydian Armenia Company, which is the subsidiary of Lydian International Company. The content of gold is 0.8-0.9 grams per ton.
Besides gold and silver, the ore also contains mixtures of metals, including highly toxic lead, cadmium, arsenic, uranium etc. (see Hrachya Avagyan, “Ways and Prospects of Mining and Metallurgical Industries in the Republic of Armenia”, Yerevan 2011, “Gitutyun” Publishing House, Institute of Economics of NAS RA). The total summary of toxic metals is higher than the content of gold.
Gladzor Polymetallic Mine
The off-balance proven resources of Gladzor polymetallic mine make up as follows: ore – 30.5 million tons, copper – 135.8 thousand tons, lead- 861.5 thousand tons, zinc – 789.1 thousand tons. The exploring geologists assess the anticipated resources as follows: ore – 8.24 million tons, copper – 43.9 thousand tons, lead- 273,3 thousand tons, zinc – 252.4 thousand tons, silver – 491.4 tons, and cadmium – 1464 tons. Off-balance assessed resources and anticipated resources jointly make up: ore – 38.74 million tons, copper – 179.7 thousand tons, lead – 1154 thousand tons and zinc – 1041.5 thousand tons.
The mine is located in Yeghegnadzor area, Vayots Dzor Region, 20 km north-east from Yeghegnadzor regional center, at absolute height of 2300-2800 meters.
These data are taken from the book by Hrachya Avagyan, Chief Specialist at the Institute of Economics of NAS RA, Dr. in Geological Sciences, entitled “Ways and Prospects of Mining and Metallurgical Industries in the Republic of Armenia” (Yerevan 2011, “Gitutyun” Publishing House, Institute of Economics of NAS RA). According to G. P. Aloyan’s article entitled “Resource Potential for Radioactive Raw Materials in Armenia and Its Development Perspectives” (Issue N 6, 2007, “Mountainous Journal” scientific journal), there are uranium mines in the area, including Vernashen and Vayq ones.
Vaghashen Polymetallic Mine
The map is shown in the company project
Vagashen polymetallic mine is located in the area of 5 communities in Vayots Dzor Region.
“Mining Consulting” Company intends to search for gold, copper, zinc, lead, selenium, bismuth, germanium within the areas of 5 communities in Vayots Dzor. The geoprospecting works will be carried out in Vardahovit, Yeghegis, Hermon, Horbategh and Goghtanik communities with a total area of 199.3 km2.
The works will commence in the third quarter of 2016 and will finish in the second quarter of 2019.
Map from project
Azatec Gold Mine
The Azatec mine is located in Vayq area, Vayots Dzor Region, in immediate neighborhood of Vayq regional center, along the both banks of Arpa River. The reserves of Azatek gold-polymetallic mine make up 8.307 million tons. The off-balance reserves of the mine make up as follows: gold – 2078.4 kg, silver – 40.37 tons, copper - 1800 tons, antimony – 400 tons, lead – 13.0 thousand tons, zinc -5.3 thousand tons.
These data are taken from the book by Hrachya Avagyan, Chief Specialist at the Institute of Economics of NAS RA, Dr in Geological Sciences, entitled “Ways and Prospects of Mining and Metallurgical Industries in the Republic of Armenia” (Yerevan 2011, “Gitutyun” Publishing House, Institute of Economics of NAS RA).
Vardenis Polymetallic Mine
Photos from www.transparency.am
Since 2015 “GeoProMining” Company is carrying out geological prospecting works in Vardenis polymetallic mine. The mine is located in Vayots Dzor Region in a distance of 1-1.2 km from Vardenis Mount and 2.5 km north-west from Qachalsar Mount, near Getikava Village, in a distance of 7 km. The village is located in the gorge of Getikavan River. The Sokhanly River with its numerous tributaries flows through the mine area. The company project says these areas are distinguished by the sources of freshwater. Around 220 species of vertebrates inhabit there and the territory occupies 18.32 km.
“Kapuyt” Polymetallic Mine
Map from project
The works on geological prospecting of “Kapuyt” mine are carried out by “Centerra Mining” LLC, a subsidiary of Canadian-based “Centerra Gold” Company.
“Kapuyt” mine is located 6.7 km east-south-east from Martiros Village, 2.6 km south from Gomq Village and 4.5 km south-west from Artavan Village. The geoprospecting will show the concentration of gold, silver, copper, zinc, bismuth, selenium and tellurium in the ore. The studies will be carried out in the area of 18.9 km2 from 2015 to 2018. ““Kapuyt” mine is located close to the springs of Gomq and Artavan communities drinking water and any mining will destroy them,” said Vazgen Galstyan, Co-Chairman of “Jermuk Development Center” in his interview with EcoLur.
September 02, 2016 at 15:59