EcoLur
It’s already over one year since the operation of Teghout copper and molybdenum mine has been suspended and it’s unclear when the mine will be operated again and whether it will be operated at all. During this entire period of time, the residents of mining-impacted villages, Shnogh and Teghout, have appeared in heavy serious conditions because of losing their jobs and not having any agricultural land areas, on the one hand, and have been left alone with serious ecological problems, on the other hand. The residents haven’t received any compensation from “Teghout” CJSC for the pollution of their land areas and water, the intoxication of crops and animals, dry trees and plants.
Shnogh and Teghout residents presented their problems and demands addressed to the state and the operator of Teghout mine in the course of the discussions entitled “Be Aware and Demanding, Protect Your Interests and Rights in Armenian Processes of the EITI” held on 1 and 2 March in Shnogh and Teghout.
Shnogh and Teghout Residents
- If we don’t die from the serious emissions of Teghout mine, we will eventually starve, as most villagers have remained unemployed after the suspension of mining operations, and consequently, they will starve...Diseases have increased and become younger. We are afraid of giving the eggs of our own hens to our children as we think they might be polluted. We are afraid of using the meat of our animals, as they graze in the pastures covered with dust from the mine. Any wind blows off this dust to our village.
- The dust arising from the tailing dump is a big problem for us and we shall take extremely urgent measures so as not to have the other areas polluted with this dust.
- Our small river is being polluted, there is an option to establish an alternative aqueduct. It’s not a big thing, but the company must make investments for the community.
- In the Soviet period, around 60% of the exported fruit originated from our communities, but now you can’t make money with an orchard of 700 sq. m. Give me that opportunity, I don’t want mining.
- “Teghout” CJSC shall provide addressed and adequate compensation for damage incurred by us.
- When there is a force majeure state, the company doesn’t have money to eliminate its consequences. There must be a foundation, so when the company stops its operation, the foundation shall be sufficient both for reclaiming and other expenses. Currently, there is a tailing dump occupying 10 ha, but no penny is available, so they may have closed it and left.
- There is a clause among company obligations which says that the company must create working places to ensure certain working places after the closedown of the mine.
March 07, 2019 at 15:43