TRANSBORDER IMPACTS RULED OUT DURING OPERATION OF TEGHUT MINE,
ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER CLAIMS

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The expert examination on damage as a
result of Teghut mine’s operation should be conducted for 25 and not 8
years, the prime minister Tigran Sargsian said at the June 20 meeting
with a group of experts who are against the mine’s operation. According
to him, norms rather than punitive measures should form the basis of
calculation of the possible environmental damage.

The experts presented a number of problems worrying them, in
particular, they are concerned that the wastes will cause damage to
nature. T. Sargsian ruled out the possibility of transborder impacts
during the operation of Teghut mine. He suggested developing a
methodology of calculations to specify the amount of investments,
envisaged wages and the number of new jos. As for the problem of fish
destruction in the Shnogh River, T. Sargsian noted that this river is
not for commercial fishery. The real amount of damage done to the river
will be determined based on a new methodology.

T. Sargsian informed the meeting participants that a presentation will
be organized soon to substantiate the state importance of the project.
Besides, they will conduct another two working meetings for solution of
the indicated problems.