YEREVAN, September 12. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, sharing his views on the fuss over Teghut copper and molybdenum field, wrote on his Facebook page that rumors are going around that the tailings dam is on the verge of collapse, and the collapse can occur at any moment.

"I will say at once that if this statement would have reflected the reality then the dam had been fallen as a result of the earthquake reported on September 10, when a four-point quake was recorded in the mine zone," Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page.

Pashinyan meant this when proposed to remain stuck to the truth to its all extent.
He said that in July the government went through a heavy pressure to terminate Teghut mine's operation.

"If we did so, over 900 people would be rendered jobless, and the abandoned mine would become a graver problem, since there would be no entity responsible for that, from whom it would be possible to demand an answer for breaching environmental norms," he said.

It was decided to do the following: the inspection agencies conduced a scrutiny there and came to conclusion that there was no risk of collapse, and the earthquake proved the reasonability of the conclusion.

"After that, it was demanded from the entity developing the mine to carry out an expert examination of the dam and ensure its long-term safety," the premier said, "If the entity comply with the demand, the mine will be commissioned, if no – not, regardless of want it or not. This is a right way."

Nikol Pashinyan wonders if those who alarmed the public by saying that Teghut mine is on the verge of collapse will bear responsibility.

"Of course, no, since they can state whatever they want, but if the government yielded to the pressure, would it be responsible? For sure. At least for driving Armenia's investment rating down, for rendering these 940 jobless, as well as deterioration of tax revenue and economic indicators," Pashinyan says. -0—-