The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected]
Website:
November 29, 2007
NCI Focuses on Armenia’s Mining Sector
Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a
public hearing to examine the advantages–in terms of economic
growth–and the drawbacks–with respect to environmental
catastrophe–of a project toward the operation of a copper-molybdenum
mine in the area surrounding the Teghut village in northern Armenia.
The meeting brought together social and political activists, NGO
officials, analysts, and media representatives.
NCI associate Davit Sanasarian welcomed the audience with opening
remarks. "The exploitation of the Teghut mine is an actual matter and
it calls for serious discussions and proper suggestions prior to the
undertaking of this project," he said.
In his intervention, Hovhannes Nikoghosian from the Armenian Institute
of Mountain Metallurgy spoke in detail about the Teghut mining
project. He informed that a comprehensive study was conducted before
the decision to operate the mine and the results of this study were
summarized in a 12-volume work plan. "The issue that relates to the
neighboring communities is the socioeconomic development, which
creates jobs and reduces work migration, against the ecological
damage, which is a normal phenomenon in any mining industry,"
Nikoghosian maintained. In his view, all other ensuing matters,
including the environmental issues, usually are resolved only after
registering economic growth.
In his turn, Hakob Sanasarian of the Greens’ Union of Armenia explored
the ecological consequences of activating the Teghut mine. He brought
attention to the inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the aforesaid
work plan and expressed a deep conviction that this proposal lacked
legal and scientific evidence. What is more, in Sanasarian’s firm
belief, this plan has not been actually tested and therefore needs a
reevaluation. "If carried out, this project will cause a huge
environmental damage to the wildlife, rivers, and roads, the nearby
communities will become desolate, and a vast forest-covered area will
be destroyed as 357 hectares, or approximately 127 thousand trees,
will be cut down," he argued.
The remainder of the session was dedicated to an exchange of views and
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were interventions by Sahak Karapetian and
Taguhi Karapetian from the Vallex Group; chairwoman Karine Danielian
of the "Sustainable Human Development" NGO; economist Dr. Tatoul
Manasserian; chairwoman Srbuhi Harutiunian of the Social-Ecological
Association; and several others.
What is the correlation between the benefits and shortcomings of the
Teghut project? Is the Armenian government, which has declared the
mining industry as paramount, prepared to shoulder the responsibility
for the adverse outcome of such projects? These were the main civic
concerns expressed by the discussants during the exchange of opinions
and recommendations.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association
founded in December 2001 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign
Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow citizens with
the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall improvements in
the state of the state, society, and public institutions. The National
Citizens’ Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which
includes individual citizens and representatives of various public,
scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law
and State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy,
Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the
vehicles for the Initiative’s work and outreach.
For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected]; or visit