144 Patients, 3 of Them Incurable, in the Community Influenced by
Geghanush Tailing Dump (Photos)
16:30 November 25, 2014
EcoLur
Every year Geghanush tailing dump in Syunik region of the RA occupies
10 ha of new areas. They are mainly the administrative areas of
Geghanush community. According to Geghanush residents a new agreement
will be signed between the Municipality and “Dundee Precious Metals
Kapan” CJSC operating the tailing dump to increase the area of the
tailing dump.
Overall 568624.0 tons of tails (solid) are annually filled into
Geghanush tailing dump, and according to the residents the area of the
tailing dump will still be increased vertically by 15 meters.
“8-9 people out of 10 are sick in our community… People don’t buy
our meat, potatoes and greens in the market…. We were initially
against the reconstruction of this tailing dump… we have stopped the
work of heavy equipment for months, but what is the benefit?”,
Geghanush residents were complaining.
In the absence of adequate compensation they are comforted with the
company’s good will. “Dundee Precious Metals Kapan” SJCS transfers 3
million AMD for renting 21 ha of area per year. Besides in the last
three years the company has been carrying out programs costing 10
million AMD in the village.
Ivan Kostandyan, Governor of Geghanush didn’t have such a good
imagination of the risks and damages of the tailing dump.
“The murmers that the tailing dump is toxic, are impressed in people’s
brains… Because of these splits people don’t buy the food of
Geghanush residents… What is the area of Geghanush contaminated
with, who has proved? Can you prove what damage is caused to our
people by the tailing dump?… Journalists cause more damage than the
tailing dump itself”, said Ivan Kostandyan. “I wrote to the chief
director of Kapan hospital, demanded the number of patients. According
to last year’s statistics there were 144 patients with different
diseases from our community, three of which are incurable”.
Note: According to official data Geghanush has a population of 356 people.
From: Baghdasarian