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PRESS RELEASE
August 3, 2007
Environmental Film No. 9: "Poisoning for Profit"
New Documentary Film Exposes Problems Caused by Mining in Armenia
The ninth in a series of environmental films produced by Vem Media Arts in
Armenia, titled "Poisoning for Profit" was released on World Environment
Day. The documentary was funded by Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Forests
NGO, World Wildlife Fund Caucasus Office, and the Greens Union of Armenia.
There are 630 mines operating in Armenia today, which include copper, gold,
decorative stone, and other minerals. Foreign companies such as Global Gold
Mining of Connecticut are also exploring for uranium mines in the Getik
River Valley and other parts of Armenia. "Uranium is a mineral of strategic
importance, but I can state that there are no confirmed, registered reserves
as such," according to the head of underground resources at the Ministry of
Nature Protection in the film.
Armenia is one of the top 10 world suppliers of molybdenum, and one of the
more active plants is located in Zangezour near the Kajaran copper mine.
"The plant is a source of immense pollution, but the tailings at Kajaran are
hidden under a green cover," states the narrator. In fact, the residents of
Kajaran need to be relocated because of the tailings and pollution from the
plant.
"Even the remediated soil contains heavy metals that accumulate in
fruit-bearing plants. When they get into the food chain they cause organ
damage, sterility, genetic mutations, and weaken the immune system. The
problem can be solved only by moving the town away from the plant’s zone,"
declares the film.
The villagers of Geghanoush have become victims of mine pollution, and now
they have to buy food instead of growing it themselves. "Not a single crop
grows in the village because of the waste dump and its toxic tracks,"
reveals the head of the local community.
Tailings waste flows into the Voghji River in Syunik village, passing
through residential gardens, fruit orchards, and other cultivated land,
contaminating vegetables, fruit, and animals. "They didn’t realize the
magnitude of the danger until their children got sick," states the narrator.
"For the damage caused, Dino Gold Mining paid a fine of $28,000 (US) to the
government and reimbursement of $2,800 (US) to the villagers–not a big fine
for damaging the health and the environment of an entire village."
"We, the population, gain almost nothing from the mining industry, in terms
of improvement of social conditions or strengthening the country
strategically. The main profits from mining goes to the owners and those who
mediate granting them mining licenses. That’s it! We are left with vanished
pastures and lands, and a polluted environment," states Hagop Sanasaryan,
head of the Greens Union of Armenia.
"The mines produce huge cavities in the mountains. During the ore
processing, the ground up powder is further treated, using cyanide or other
methods. The waste enters the air, the soil, and ultimately pollutes the
irrigation and drinking water," concludes Sanasaryan in the film.
Written by Inga Zarafyan, produced by Manuk Hergnyan, and directed by Hayk
Kbeyan, the 23-minute documentary "Poisoning for Profit" is being made
available for personal and public viewing in DVD format. To acquire a copy
of the film in the diaspora with English subtitles, contact Armenia Tree
Project via email at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> .
For more information about mining in Armenia and to sign a letter to
President Robert Kocharian expressing concern with a new mine planned in
Teghut village, visit the Armenia Tree Project web site at
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PHOTO CAPTION (Alaverdi 2007.jpg): The new film "Poisoning for Profit"
documents the human health problems and environmental destruction caused by
mining in Armenia, which occurs when mining waste products enter the air and
soil and pollute irrigation and drinking water