S.O.S. Sevan Green Movement in Sotq Gold Mine

EcoLur

On 19 October the participants of S.O.S. Sevan Green movement arrived at the territory of Sotq gold mine, Gegharkounik Region. The movement was launched in Yerevan near the official seat of the Armenian President.  The movement participants – the Alliance of Public Environmental Organizations, EcoLur, the “Center for Bird Lovers”, the Greens Union of Armenia, the Armenian Committee for Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, National Civic Initiative, “EcoDar”, Armenian Technological Academy,  ‘А1+’ TV, “Now” Civic Initiative, “The Greens of South Caucasus - Armenia” Public-political Initiative signed an appeal which starts with “To all...”. The appeal contains several demands, particularly about the dismantling of the crushing and sorting complex in the territory of drainage basin of Lake Sevan, Gegharkounik Region, and punishing Geopromining Gold Company for the violation of the Armenian legislation.

 The activists passed this appeal to the regional municipality in Gavar, the regional center of Gegharkounik. The NGOs from Gavar and Martouni joined them on their way, as well as the representatives of “Sevan” National Park of Nature Protection Ministry of Armenia. 

At last, Sotq. Sotq experienced significant changes after the latest public visit. We got off on the highway that connects Armenia with Karvachar (Kelbajar). The Sotq mine is neighboring with the border. One section of this strategic highway is tightly surrounded by Geopromining Gold Company from both sides, which is mining gold here. The mine itself is on one side, which is easily recognizable due to ore dumps piled just on the road border. The crushing complex is a dozen meters away. The security service headed by Georgians didn’t permit the activists to get near to the crushing complex. But after long negotiations they decided to allow to participants to get in - the Greens Union of Armenia Chairman and the Committee Member of Lake Sevan Issues Hakob Sanasaryan and EcoLur. Meanwhile they stressed out that no ore washing is carried out there, just dry process. 

We could eye witness that the crushing complex was operating at full blast. Trucks were getting to the complex one after another. Gold-bearing fractions were loaded and headed to the railway station and then to Ararat Factory. Crushed barren ore was dumped not far from the complex. 

As a matter of fact, the land areas of 1037 ha leased from Sotq Village are designed for dumping. If to take into consideration increased rates of production, it is not excluded that after several years only, i.e. earlier than planned, the company will skim gold, while the mine will turn into dust and tiny fragments which we eye witnessed in Sotq on 19 October. 

October 20, 2011 at 17:21