"EcoLur", "CCMS" and Czech "Arnika" NGOs disseminated a press release on October 1 entitled "Arsenic Turning into Real Threat to Residents of Armanis and Urasar", which revealed the presence of heavy metals in the lands and rivers and the residents of Armanis and Urasar settlements in Stepanavan Community in Lori Region. The amounts of arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc and cadmium detected exceeded the permissible concentrations several times.
Near the Urasar-Armanis settlements are the Armanis gold-polymetallic mine and industrial waste belonging to Sagamar CJSC, which are the main source of pollution in these areas. Leaks from these facilities spread unhindered into the environment, flood the Chknagh River, the fields and lands of the locals, spread with the wind, and penetrate the houses with dust.
A few days after the dissemination of the press release, Sagamar posted a statement on its Facebook page denying the presence of heavy metals in the vicinity of the mine.
“The article, published on the initiative of some environmental NGOs, presents the results of the analysis of samples of some chemical elements in the soil near Armanis gold-polymetallic mine, which are unbelievable from a professional point of view. The authors of the presented article do not have the results of the laboratory research of the presented chemical elements; in fact, the data presented in the article are unfounded and imaginary.
The company is not yet fully engaged in production, but in the wake of the presented materials, it is going to take appropriate measures to provide the public with true data. Please, be informed that the data presented by the results of the regular environmental monitoring are not confirmed.
In addition to the abovementioned, we would like to inform you that in 2021 the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee carried out radiation (screening) monitoring of the environment around Armanis mine, according to which the results are within the norms. The written answer (conclusion) will be submitted as soon as it is received.
With respect,
Administration of "SAGAMAR" CJSC,” the statement said.
Responding to the company's statement, EcoLur informs that, 136 samples from house dust, soil, river sediments and dairy products and biomaterials (human urine և hair) were collected in cooperation with Czech-based Arnika, CCMS and EcoLur NGOs in July-August 2021.
Czech Health Institute’s certified laboratory in Usti nad Labem conducted a comprehensive examination of the samples to determine the presence of heavy metals in them. Attached are the documents on the results provided to us by the laboratory.
It should be added that Sagamar Company should submit in its reports not only the approved ore reserves, but also the composition and concentration of chemical elements in the industrial waste after their processing into the environment.
The company is also responsible for monitoring the environment, which it does not do. According to a report submitted by the company on the official website of Environment Ministry, the company did not monitor water, air, soil, flora and fauna, as well as noise because of not performing operations.
November 22, 2021 at 12:20