ArmInfo.The Armenian authorities, together with other political forces, if there are any, of course, must be able to present their own approaches to Amulsar problem with the aim of making them common. A similar opinion was expressed to ArmInfo by economist Vahagn Khachatryan.
"To this end, balanced discussions are needed. And if in the end it becomes clear that the development of the mine is incompatible with the environment, I am convinced that Nikol Pashinyan will make an appropriate decision. In my opinion, the Armenian prime minister does not have any dependence on anyone in making decisions. This is his biggest advantage, "he said.
Amulsar mine is located 10 kilometers from the resort of Jermuk. According to the explored reserves of gold, the mine takes the second place in Armenia. Geological exploration of the area, which began in 2007, ended in 2015 with an environmental and social assessment of mining at the mine. Civil activists and environmentalists opposed the mine's operation, organizing mass protests in this regard, forcing Lydian Armenia to conduct additional research.
According to the economist, mining has always occupied a special place in Armenia. Khachatryan recalled that large-scale exploitation of the country's subsoil began after 1998, prior to that new permits had not been issued. At the same time, there are no calculations regarding the capabilities of a small country to carry such a heavy load. The economist is convinced of the need for specialized calculations in order to find out whether Armenian citizens are generally able to live normally in such an environment. Another necessary step, in his opinion, is the need to develop a strategy for the mining industry. Khachatryan is convinced that the mere presence of such a document would prevent the emergence of the Amulsar problem.
According to his estimates, from 2000 to 2018 the Ministry of Nature Protection and the Government of Armenia did their utmost to contribute to its destruction, leaving the successors a hopeless system that did not provide for any responsibility. Against this background, the same initiators of the Amulsar project today are trying to earn political dividends on its consequences for the purpose of their own political resurrection.
"For me personally, this is simply unacceptable, since the tasks set for Lydian Armenia in 2011 certainly did not pursue the goal of increasing the welfare of Armenian citizens. Nobody asked us, our opinion did not interest them. Today, people have come to power who enjoy trust and, accordingly, the support of society. However, these people also experience certain restrictions, as they represent the state with all the attendant consequences: responsibility, rules of the game, international principles, etc. The main difference in the situation between the "noughties" today is the possibility of discussing the problem and reaching a mutually acceptable consensus. And in my opinion such an opportunity should not be neglected, "the economist concluded.