Akhtala mining and concentration complex’s activity spells a disaste

Akhtala mining and concentration complex’s activity spells an
environmental disaster
by Karina Manukyan

Thursday, May 16, 19:44

The activity of the Akhtala mining and concentration complex owned by
Metal Prince spells a real environmental disaster. Recently
environmentalists and journalists
have visited Lori region of Armenia and saw the waste from the
development of Shamlugh complex deposit falling right into the gorge,
on the trees and bushes. The development of the Ayrum tailing dump
also triggers questions: its territory is not fenced and the local
residents tend the cattle a few meters from the tailing dump and pick
culinary herbs. Both the residents and local administrations point out
the release of tailings into the rivers, which are used for
irrigation.

During a meeting with journalists, Mayor of Akhtala Haykaz Khachikyan
confirmed the information that the tailings of the Akhtala mining and
concentration complex are regularly released into the river.
Khachikyan said that the River Akhtala is already rich in heavy
metals. The mayor added that the tailings also pollute the river as a
result of industrial accidents.

When speaking to ArmInfo’s correspondent, Sahak Nazaryan, Head of the
Mets Ayrum Administration, pointed at the environmental risks. To
note, the Ayrum tailing dump is only 100 meters from the rural
community. “If the tailing dump continues being filled at such rates,
the only drinking water source of our village will be endangered”, he
said. Nazaryan said that the water of the tailing dump mixes with the
irrigation water.

Head of the Green Union of Armenia Hakob Sanasaryan told ArmInfo that
Metal Prince, the owner of the complex, is developing the Shamlugh
deposit through the open pit method, thereby destroying forestry. He
said that the company lacks Shamlugh community’s permit to develop the
deposit through the open pit method. So, the development can be
considered illegal, he said.

Environmentalist Knarik Hovhannisyan pointed out the risk of
contamination of ground waters with heavy metals. The fact that the
company is throwing its waste into the gorge is certainly harmful for
the flora and fauna, she said.

To recall, on 17 November 2011 Serob Ter-Poghosyan, President of Metal
Prince Corporation, Director General of the Akhtala mining and
concentration complex, was sentenced to 15 years in jail for sexual
abuse against minors. Now the complex is managed by his wife Madlen
Tashchyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress