TEGHUT. ECONOMIC GROWTH OR ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHE

Largir, Armenia
Nov 29 2007

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.