RA Ministry of Environment has approved the application for preliminary assessment of the environmental impact of the geological prospecting to reassess the reserves of Dastakert copper-molybdenum mine submitted by “Natural Resource Management” CJSC.
The area to be studied is 50 hectares in the Central-Southern sections of Dastakert copper-molybdenum mine.
13 wells are planned, out of which 7 are double wells and 6 are new wells on 3 geoprospecting lines in the Southern section. Under the project, the area to be violated by drilling rigs subject to further recovery will constitute about 400 m2.
The expert opinion says that the geological prospecting will not have a negative impact on the environment. As a result of the implementation of environmental measures and monitoring during the operation of the mine, pollution on air, water basins, soil resources, biodiversity will be within the permissible norms. Nevertheless, the Kishkosht River flows through the study area, at which 6 new wells will be installed at least 100 meters away. Although the project states that the natural watercourses will not be changed, there are no permanent water monitoring points on the Kishkosht River. There are no observation points in the area of the mine for background air observations, so it is not clear how pollution is going to be measures when there are no observation sites.
“Natural Resources Management” held a public hearing on the planned activities in December 2020 and October 2021 in Sisian Community, which was attended by the heads of impacted Lor and Dastakert settlements, representatives of state and local self-government bodies. Under the expert opinion, issues related to the protection of water sources in the surrounding areas and their safe use were raised.
The company representative assured that the location of 7 of the planned 13 wells has already been determined and submitted, and the locations of 6 will be selected in the areas adjacent to the previously drilled wells, considering the sanitary protection zones of the water resource.
RA Ministry of Environment provided the positive conclusion on the condition that the company will operate in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, Article 99 of RA Water Code and RA Government Resolution N 64-N “On the criteria of sanitary protection of aquatic ecosystems, flow formation, groundwater protection, water conservation, ecotone, definition of areas of inalienable zones” dated on 20 January 2005 and other governmental resolutions and decrees.
Reminder: the right to develop Dastakert mine was previously issued to "Molybdenum World" LLC, 100% of the shares of which belong to Forbes Russian billionaire Dmitry Korzhev and Dmitry Troitsky. The company was supposed to operate the mine for 9.2 years from November 6, 2012, but did not operate it, citing low copper and molybdenum prices in 2013-2018, economic unprofitability of the mine, as well as the fact that Sisian municipality did not grant the right to use land in 2018.
Under its soil management contract, this company undertook environmental obligations to ensure the protection of the subsoil, atmosphere, land, forests, water, nature, historical and cultural monuments, to restore and improve lands that have been damaged through soil management. However, the study conducted by "EcoLur" revealed that the company has only done research work, the wells opened by it have long been closed with soil.
In 2020, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure terminated the soil management right issued to "Molybdenum World" LLC. The company has appealed the decision in court, but no ruling has been made yet.
November 09, 2021 at 11:49